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Once in a Lifetime Experience

Holden Village Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

If you seek meaningful work, caring community,  and life in unity with beautiful mountain scenery, then working at Holden Village may be right for you.  Throughout its history, Holden has operated through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers annually.  Some share their time and talents for just a couple weeks, and others serve for many years. 

All staff receive full room and board at Holden as well as access to community events and programming sessions. 

PROSPECTIVE Staff Packet
Open Positions

Ways To Work At Holden

There are various available roles in operations, kitchen, guest services, programming and the business side of the Village. The scope of a given position is based on the length of one’s stay and the necessity of the role. Read more about the benefits associated with different roles.

Family Option

Work Week

Short Term (2+ Weeks)

Seasonal (3+ Months)

Long Term (1+ Year)

Employee (2+ Years)

Open Positions

The following positions are open opportunities to work at Holden.

Back-Up Medic  |  volunteer

This position is open now! This role is a part-time role that involves additional job placement. The primary role of the Backup Medic is to provide first aid for villagers on an on-call basis, within the bounds of established policies and protocols and within the guidelines of their professional licensure. Further, the Backup Medic helps the Primary Medic in providing education to the staff and guests about health and safety. The Medic manages all aspects of the First Aid Station and is sometimes involved in recruiting, maintaining, and training of the Holden Village First Response Team.

Art Studio Assistant  |  volunteer

This position is open June through August. This position is open as a short-term volunteer position (2+ weeks). The Art Studio Assistant supports the Art Studio Technicians in welcoming guests into creative spaces and maintaining art studio spaces. The Art Studio Assistant also supports Technicians in class offerings and may offer classes or art programs as appropriate.

Back-Up Medic  |  volunteer

This position is open now! This role is a part-time role that involves additional job placement. The primary role of the Backup Medic is to provide first aid for villagers on an on-call basis, within the bounds of established policies and protocols and within the guidelines of their professional licensure. Further, the Backup Medic helps the Primary Medic in providing education to the staff and guests about health and safety. The Medic manages all aspects of the First Aid Station and is sometimes involved in recruiting, maintaining, and training of the Holden Village First Response Team.

Barista/Kitchen Assistant  |  volunteer

This position is open mid July - August. Provides hospitality through the preparation and provision of espresso drinks and the cultivation of a fun and inviting atmosphere, at the Beanies coffee cart! This position requires early morning shifts and part-time work in the kitchen to complete the rest of their work hours.

Ceramic Studio Assistant  |  volunteer

This position is open June-August for three to six week stints, with some opportunities during peak winter times. The Ceramic Studio Assistant supports the Ceramic Studio Technician in welcoming guests into the Ceramic Studio and maintaining Ceramic Studio spaces. The Ceramic Studio Assistant also supports the technician in class offerings and may offer classes or art programs as appropriate.

Housekeeping Assistant  |  volunteer

Housekeeping Assistants play a vital role in upholding the Village's commitment to hospitality and teamwork. Working closely with Housekeeping Associates, the Housekeeping Assistant helps to maintain the welcoming atmosphere of the Village by supporting housekeeping and laundry tasks. This position ensures that all areas are clean, comfortable, and ready for guests and staff, contributing to a warm and inviting environment that reflects the Village's mission of creating a home away from home for all who visit.

Kitchen Assistant  |  volunteer

This position is open year-round. Kitchen assistants support Head & Seasonal Cooks in the tasks of daily kitchen operation, including but not limited to: food preparation; cooking and baking; Dining Hall upkeep; sanitation tasks; cultivating an inviting and caring atmosphere both inside the kitchen and in the Dining Hall.  This position can be physically demanding, with multiple hours spent on your feet and the necessity of carrying things up and down stairs.  The kitchen is also a very social environment, so those who prefer social work environments will find this position particularly satisfying.  Depending on the time of year and the length of the stay at Holden, there may be opportunity for this position to guest Chef or work on special projects. Kitchen Assistants work under the supervision of year-round Head Cooks, Seasonal Cooks, and Food Services Lead.

Maverick  |  volunteer

This position is open May 1st, 2026. Performs a variety of tasks throughout the village that involve manual labor! Helps keep the village safe and functioning in so many ways! Responsible for transportation of luggage and freight, production of firewood, and manual snow removal, moving supplies, and support for various village tasks as needed. High awareness of and emphasis on safety.

Plumber  |  contractor

This position is open now! Responsible for the maintenance, repair, and improvements of Holden’s plumbing systems, water distribution system, hydronic boiler & heating systems, fire sprinkler piping systems and any piping that caries fluids, compressed air, or fuels.

Back-Up Medic  |  volunteer

This position is open now! This role is a part-time role that involves additional job placement. The primary role of the Backup Medic is to provide first aid for villagers on an on-call basis, within the bounds of established policies and protocols and within the guidelines of their professional licensure. Further, the Backup Medic helps the Primary Medic in providing education to the staff and guests about health and safety. The Medic manages all aspects of the First Aid Station and is sometimes involved in recruiting, maintaining, and training of the Holden Village First Response Team.

Cook  |  volunteer

This position is open now! Under the direction of the Food Services Lead, a Head cook is responsible for providing shift leadership in the Holden Village Kitchen and Dining Hall. During scheduled shifts, a Head Cook is responsible for: the safe and sanitary preparation of food served both throughout the day and at specific times (i.e. menu meals and snacks, Holden bread and granola, etc.); coordinating and training kitchen volunteers in various food preparation, sanitation, and restocking tasks; promoting a kitchen  atmosphere that balances grace and humor with the need for efficiency and timely food production; cultivating an inviting atmosphere in the Dining Hall for all through general upkeep and personal interaction. This position can be physically demanding, with multiple hours spent on your feet and the necessity of carrying things up and down stairs.

Diesel Mechanic  |  employee

HIRING NOW | This position is open now! The Holden mechanic maintains, operates and repairs Holden's fleet of vehicles and equipment. It is open as a seasonal position (3+ months), a long-term volunteer position (1 year) or an employee position (2 years).

Electrician  |  employee

This position is open now! Responsible for ongoing maintenance and repair of village electrical systems as well as remodel and new construction capital projects. Scope of work may include work on the village's hydro-generation system and backup generator, medium voltage distribution, commercial work spaces as well as residences. Works closely with Projects Lead and other villagers to coordinate work. It is open as a seasonal position (3+ months), a long-term volunteer position (1 year) or an employee position (2 years).

Maverick  |  volunteer

This position is open May 1st, 2026. Performs a variety of tasks throughout the village that involve manual labor! Helps keep the village safe and functioning in so many ways! Responsible for transportation of luggage and freight, production of firewood, and manual snow removal, moving supplies, and support for various village tasks as needed. High awareness of and emphasis on safety.

Seasonal Utilities Assistant  |  volunteer

This position is OPEN NOW. Responsible for assisting the Utilities Lead with the maintenance, repair, and operation of our public water system, wastewater system, and major heating systems. This position requires a 4-6 month commitment.

Back-Up Medic  |  volunteer

This position is open now! This role is a part-time role that involves additional job placement. The primary role of the Backup Medic is to provide first aid for villagers on an on-call basis, within the bounds of established policies and protocols and within the guidelines of their professional licensure. Further, the Backup Medic helps the Primary Medic in providing education to the staff and guests about health and safety. The Medic manages all aspects of the First Aid Station and is sometimes involved in recruiting, maintaining, and training of the Holden Village First Response Team.

Childcare Provider  |  volunteer

Under the supervision of a private family living in Holden Village, the Childcare Provider is responsible for providing nurturing, safe, and developmentally supportive care for two children (ages 2 and 9). The Childcare Provider will primarily care for the younger child while providing occasional supervision for the older child depending on their school schedule. This position includes 20 hours per week of childcare with the option to apply to volunteer for 20 hours per week for Holden Village. The Childcare Provider will contribute to a positive, engaging environment that supports the children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development, while also participating in the rhythm of community life at Holden Village. We have two openings for this position, which we hope to fill as soon as possible. If you are interested, please email eliselpeterson@gmail.com to share your interest and available start date.

Cook  |  volunteer

This position is open now! Under the direction of the Food Services Lead, a Head cook is responsible for providing shift leadership in the Holden Village Kitchen and Dining Hall. During scheduled shifts, a Head Cook is responsible for: the safe and sanitary preparation of food served both throughout the day and at specific times (i.e. menu meals and snacks, Holden bread and granola, etc.); coordinating and training kitchen volunteers in various food preparation, sanitation, and restocking tasks; promoting a kitchen  atmosphere that balances grace and humor with the need for efficiency and timely food production; cultivating an inviting atmosphere in the Dining Hall for all through general upkeep and personal interaction. This position can be physically demanding, with multiple hours spent on your feet and the necessity of carrying things up and down stairs.

Diesel Mechanic  |  employee

HIRING NOW | This position is open now! The Holden mechanic maintains, operates and repairs Holden's fleet of vehicles and equipment. It is open as a seasonal position (3+ months), a long-term volunteer position (1 year) or an employee position (2 years).

Electrician  |  employee

This position is open now! Responsible for ongoing maintenance and repair of village electrical systems as well as remodel and new construction capital projects. Scope of work may include work on the village's hydro-generation system and backup generator, medium voltage distribution, commercial work spaces as well as residences. Works closely with Projects Lead and other villagers to coordinate work. It is open as a seasonal position (3+ months), a long-term volunteer position (1 year) or an employee position (2 years).

Medic  |  employee

The primary role of the Village Medic is to provide health care for villagers on a 24/5 on-call basis, within the bounds of established policies and protocols and within the guidelines of their professional licensure. Further, the Medic provides education to the staff and guests about health and safety, particularly in the realm of communicable disease issues. The Medic manages all aspects of the First Aid Station an involved in recruiting, maintaining and training of the Holden Village First Response Team.

Operations Project Manager  |  volunteer

This position is open now! The Operations Project Manager is responsible for planning and executing approved projects that improve and modify Holden Village’s infrastructure. This role is essential to maintaining and upgrading critical village systems while living and working in a remote, interdependent community. The Project Manager leads teams, coordinates volunteers and subcontractors, and ensures projects are completed efficiently, safely, and in alignment with Holden Village’s values.

Village Musician  |  volunteer

HIRING NOW | This position is open now! Music is an essential part of life at Holden Village, especially during our time of Sacred Space. This person will work as a vital member of the worship team to facilitate music for sacred space and other significant moments in the village. This person will be responsible for providing and/or organizing musical offerings for the rhythms of evening sacred spaces. This will include organizing village staff, guests, and summer faculty to provide music, and welcoming and encouraging members of the community to share their musical gifts during and outside of Sacred Space. Collaboration with the worship assistant, the pastor, and any visiting faculty musicians will be integral in this person’s role. This is a part-time role that involves an additional job placement within another department in the Village.

Business Manager  |  employee

Hiring Now. Priority Deadline of January 5th, 2026. The Business Manager works with the Executive Directors to ensure the financial health and sustainable operation of Holden Village, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Business Manager has direct management of finance, guest registration, information technology, the store, and the down lake operations (Holden Bed & Breakfast and Field’s Point).    The Business Manager provides high-level support to the entire Business Team, overseeing department-wide operations, coordinating long-term strategy, and fostering a positive team culture. This role leads and supports personnel responsible for the following functions:  

  • Finance [Team: Lead plus 1-2 direct reports]
  • Registration and Business Systems [Team: Lead, plus 2-3 direct reports]
  • Information Technology: [Team: Lead, plus 1-2 direct reports]
  • Holden Village Store [Team: Lead, plus 1-2 direct reports]
  • Business Development [Team: Lead]
  • Down lake operations [Team: Lead plus 1-2 direct reports]

Diesel Mechanic  |  employee

HIRING NOW | This position is open now! The Holden mechanic maintains, operates and repairs Holden's fleet of vehicles and equipment. It is open as a seasonal position (3+ months), a long-term volunteer position (1 year) or an employee position (2 years).

Electrician  |  employee

This position is open now! Responsible for ongoing maintenance and repair of village electrical systems as well as remodel and new construction capital projects. Scope of work may include work on the village's hydro-generation system and backup generator, medium voltage distribution, commercial work spaces as well as residences. Works closely with Projects Lead and other villagers to coordinate work. It is open as a seasonal position (3+ months), a long-term volunteer position (1 year) or an employee position (2 years).

IT Lead  |  employee

Holden Village is a remote community located in the North Cascade mountains that is growing and developing our IT Infrastructure.  The IT department is responsible for all aspects and technical components of the IT Infrastructure in the village, from server patching and management, storage monitoring, networking, security, Active Directory, DNS as well as end user training, troubleshooting and support. Candidates need to have a strong technical background as well as the ability to provide support to end users and instruction as necessary.  This role functions as part of a team with other Leads, other department managers. The ability to communicate clearly and respond in a timely manner are valued skills. Given the remote nature of Holden Village, much of the technical support needs to be supplied from the IT Team with access to remote resources for assistance.

Medic  |  employee

The primary role of the Village Medic is to provide health care for villagers on a 24/5 on-call basis, within the bounds of established policies and protocols and within the guidelines of their professional licensure. Further, the Medic provides education to the staff and guests about health and safety, particularly in the realm of communicable disease issues. The Medic manages all aspects of the First Aid Station an involved in recruiting, maintaining and training of the Holden Village First Response Team.

Physical Plant Lead  |  employee

This position is open now. Responsible for maintaining the physical plant of Holden Village, from historic buildings to a picturesque landscape. Must be willing to supervise many volunteers at once while also doing independent work. Ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work as well as administrative tasks.

Program Lead  |  employee

This position is open December 1st, 2025. The Program Lead is responsible for the central coordination of art, nature, youth, and leisure programs for the Village community, ensuring that programs meet changing seasonal needs and represent the Mission, Vision, and Values of Holden Village. This role supervises Program Team staff, including the Program Associate, Art Studio Technician(s), Ceramic Studio Technician, Librarian, Youth Program Coordinator, Naturalist, and Pool Hall Head.

Utilities Lead  |  employee

HIRING NOW | This position is open now! Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of our water filtration plant, water distribution system, septic/sewage systems, building plumbing, hydronic heating systems, and the Jacuzzi.  Also responsible for all things electrical including hydro generation (on-site training provided), power distribution system, all building service and wiring, low voltage wiring.

Village Pastor  |  employee

Village Pastor, Holden Village Holden Village is seeking a pastor to serve our remote mountain community! We seek ordained candidates ready to design and manage the daily worship experiences of Holden Village, involving the varied gifts and talents of the community in creating sacred spaces and cultivating the life of the spirit. The pastor collaborates closely with the directors to express and practice Holden Village's mission values of learning, grace, and worship. The pastor role requires creativity, innovation, adaptive leadership, interpersonal and planning skills to engage staff and guests in formation. this pastor affirms and incorporates the varies talents and durations of people in the village. Holden Village seeks simultaneously to be a place of openness to non-believers and agnostics and a worshipping community of Christian believers. In the midst of this diverse tension, we experience the Spirit at work. Interested candidates should be enthusiastic about this unique worship environment. This position is open to full-communion partners as well as pastors of the ELCA. Interested persons please send letters of introduction, resume/vita, and/or rostered minister profile to the Northwest Intermountain Synod, ELCA https://mwimsynod.org. For additional information, please contact the Chair of the Holden Village Call Committee, Sarah Moore Sherry at SarahMooreSherry@holdenboard.org. This position will remain open until filled, but initial consideration will be given to applicants who submit their materials by October 30th, 2025.

We are in the process of updating our system. Please check back later.

How to Apply

The following steps are required to apply to be on Holden staff.

1. Complete the staff application form.

Staff Application

2. If you are applying as a short- or long-term volunteer (1 year or less), complete the health form and release waiver, then email the form to medic@holdenvillage.org. If you are applying for an employee position, do not send a health form to the medic. 

Health Release form

3. Send the reference form to the individuals you listed in your application and ask them to email their completed form staffing@holdenvillage.org.

Reference Form

4. If applying for a Summer Seasonal Volunteer, Long-Term Volunteer or Employee position, please email your resume to staffing@holdenvillage.org. If you are returning to the Village on short-term staff, you do not need to submit a new application if you have sent one in the last 5 years.

We do require the following paperwork on an annual basis:

  • Release Waiver & Code of Conduct
  • Staff Agreement
  • Health and Wellness Form (emailed to medic@holdenvillage.org)
  • An email with the dates you hope to come and position preference

 

Once we have received all your application materials, we will notify you that your application is complete. Your process may include a phone or video interview. It normally takes 3-4 weeks for a decision to be made about short-term positions and longer for positions with long-term commitments. If you have any questions or concerns please email staffing@holdenvillage.org 

Holden Village is an equal employment opportunity employer, and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates with a known protected disability assuming the accommodation does not cause undue hardship or direct threat to health and safety.

Staff Testimonial

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about working at Holden that aren’t answered in these FAQs, email staffing@holdenvillage.org.

Yay! We’re excited that you’re interested in volunteering at Holden. You will need to fill out the online staff application form. You will also need to fill out a health and wellness form/ release waiver and email it to medic@holdenvillage.org. Short-term volunteers need one reference to fill out the reference form and email it to staffing@holdenvillage.org. Seasonal volunteers need two references, and long-term volunteer and employee applicants need three references. 

All qualified applicants, including seasonal volunteers, long-term volunteers, and employees, will be invited for an interview process, typically conducted by a video call. 

There are many different ways to be part of the Holden community!

Short-term volunteers come to the Village for a minimum stay of two weeks. In exchange for their work, they receive room and board.

Seasonal volunteers come for at least three months during the summer season (between May-September) and play a leadership role in the Village. They receive room and board, as well as a $350 stipend each month. Volunteers in “short term” positions who stay for 3+ months are not eligible for a stipend. Only those in specific “seasonal” positions can be eligible for this stipend. 

Long-term volunteers serve in the Village for a year. They fill a large range of essential roles in the Village, and receive room and board, along with receiving a $550 stipend each month and other benefits such as boat tickets and friends and family days. Volunteers also have the opportunity to opt into healthcare. 

Employees serve in the Village for a minimum of two years. They receive room, board, boat tickets, friends and family days, a salary, the option to opt into health care health care, as well as other benefits. Employees bear responsibility for supervising other staff, managing portions of the budget, and fulfilling critical safety functions.

Staff at Holden work 40hrs/week that consist of 36 hours spent in one’s assigned role as well as 4 hours spent doing work of the Village. Staff is expected to work five (5) days on and two (2) off. 

During the non-summer season Holden also has “Stop Days” which are an additional monthly Village-wide day off where the Village takes a day of recreation and rest. “Stop Days” are not scheduled during the summer due to the high responsibility for Village function and programming rigor. 

There are a few other ways to volunteer as well. For those with children, consider the Family Option. For those interested in being in the Village for a week and helping the Village transition between summer to winter or winter to summer, sign up for Spring or Fall Work Weeks! 

Short-term staff will typically be assigned to live in one of the lodges. These are dormitory-style housing arrangements with communal living spaces and communal bathrooms. Most short-term summer volunteers will have roommates due to the high number of people in the Village, while volunteers during the off-season may have a room to themselves. 

Long-term staff normally live in a chalet. These are houses shared with 3 to 11 other long-term staff members. Long-term staff will have their own rooms, and share living spaces, including a living room and kitchen. Pending space availability, long-term staff may have the option to shift housing during their term of service.

Volunteering at Holden Village with your family is welcome! If you and your family are interested in fulfilling roles at Holden for a year or longer, please email staffing@holdenvillage.org to learn more about this possibility! 

If you are able to serve for two weeks in the summer, read more about the Family Option and complete an application here.

Half-work half-pay allows people to come to Holden for a reduced cost in exchange for working in the Village. This option exists in the off-season (September-May) and excludes the month of January and major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and President’s Day). Consider half work/half pay if the full cost of registration is prohibitive, if you have physical limitations that prevent volunteering full time, or if you are planning a sabbatical. 

To apply, please complete the form. If you are eligible, we will contact you with the necessary applications, and if you are not, we will reach out with more information about full time staff and guest options. 

Work weeks are two 2-week periods in the Spring and Fall where volunteers come up for a week or two to help transition the village facilities between summer and winter operations. Learn more about Work Weeks.

Alumni weekend is an annual event for former long-term Holden staff to return for a service weekend at a discounted rate. Learn more about Alumni Weekend.

There is no cell service in the Railroad Creek valley. Staff in the Village 2+ weeks are provided WiFi access during their stay for use only in private spaces. Guests at Holden are not provided WiFi access. They may use the computer terminal in the Library for brief Internet access. Many people come to Holden to disconnect from their devices, so staff are encouraged to not use the Internet in guest-facing areas.

Not at all. The mission statement of Holden Village calls us to “welcome all people into the wilderness.” This means everybody! Holden Village welcomes and embraces people of all races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. While Holden is rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition, all faith traditions are celebrated and welcomed into this community. Non-Christians can feel comfortable in an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and conversation. We celebrate the unity and diversity of the church, all humanity, and all creation. All are welcome! Learn more about our mission, vision, and values.

No… the wilderness setting and plentiful mountain creatures pose serious threats to domesticated pets.

Work of the village is a set of responsibilities shared among all members of the community (with some exceptions). These tasks include dish team (cleaning and restocking dishes and kitchen equipment), garbology (sorting recycling and assisting with compost management), as well as stoking in the colder months (starting and tending fires in the Village boilers). Other forms of work of the village include chaining wood or food, scooping ice cream in the Holden snack bar, or cleaning the Dining Hall after meal times. This work is performed on a volunteer basis and is not scheduled by the Village.

Multiple times a year the Village focuses programming on staff enrichment. Limited number of guests are allowed during these weeks that feature leadership development, wellness and resilience, vocational discernment, community building and transition.

Learn about the journey of getting to Holden. If travelling by car, staff are allotted free parking at Field’s Point. Seasonal, long-term, and employee roles are also allotted a certain number of boat tickets to and from Lucerne as part of their compensation.

Dietary restrictions will be accommodated. Learn more about the Holden kitchen.

Yes. Staff participation in all programming, especially faculty sessions, is encouraged as part of the benefits provided to every Villager. Some art activities or specialized retreats may limit participation. Staff are encouraged to allow guests to fill those spots first. Other options may be arranged.

The Auction is BACK! Register for the Jubilee Auction March 25-29.

Education

Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
View upcoming summer faculty.