Job Description

About FIND Outdoors:

FIND is a 50+-year-old nonprofit headquartered in Pisgah Forest, NC, whose mission is to provide all people with education, recreational, and interpretive opportunities about natural resources and cultural history. FIND Outdoors serves over 800,000 visitors each year with over 150 educational and recreational programs, special events, and tours, and manages recreation, education, and camping facilities in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Georgia. In addition, FIND offers our visitors forest- related gifts, education resources, and provides partnership opportunities for the health of our forests and the safety of our forest users on public and private lands.

About the Opportunity:
Engagement Assistant

FIND Outdoors is excited to launch our new Transylvania County Gear Library program and is seeking a dedicated Engagement Assistant to support this initiative and related engagement activities. This position will play a key role in providing community members with access to outdoor and recreational equipment while ensuring the Gear Library operates efficiently, safely, and in alignment with our mission.

The Engagement Assistant will primarily support the Director of Engagement, a newly created role focused on managing the Gear Library, while also contributing to a range of engagement and development activities. The Engagement Assistant role will involve overseeing the ordering, storing, distributing, and returning of all gear library equipment and supplies. The position will be responsible for managing the reservation system, while also tracking inventory and developing protocols for minimizing loss and damage.

In addition, this role will support additional organizational needs, such as following up on sponsorship calls, assisting with tabling events, supporting donor acknowledgements, contributing to press releases, drafting narratives for grant reporting, and assisting with other special projects as needed. The role will require a high standard of customer service and strong organizational skills, along with the ability to manage multiple projects. The Engagement Assistant will also be responsible for managing community relations, including networking with gear manufacturers and other partners. The Engagement Assistant will serve as an ambassador of FIND.

Reports To:

Director of Engagement

Responsibilities: 

• Manage equipment check-in and check-out processes in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Educate and train patrons on Gear Library policies, equipment handling requirements, and safe, proper use of gear.
• Process equipment returns, inspect items for cleanliness and condition, document damages or maintenance concerns, and coordinate repairs or replacements as needed.
• Clean, organize, and properly store equipment.
• Administer and maintain the reservation system, including managing bookings, tracking equipment availability, and resolving scheduling conflicts.
• Maintain and organize required documentation, including waivers, equipment records, maintenance logs, and patron forms.
• Respond to patron inquiries regarding equipment, reservations, and policies, in a professional and timely manner.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend new equipment purchases, supply replenishment, and program-related resource needs.
• Support outreach and engagement efforts by attending special events and community activities that advance the mission of FIND Outdoors and the Gear Library.
• Perform general engagement and development administrative support, including drafting documents, making phone calls, and processing donor acknowledgements.
• Assist with general operational tasks to ensure a welcoming, organized, and efficient environment for all patrons, donors, and volunteers.

Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bilingual proficiency preferred.
• Experience in customer service or other community-facing roles.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately maintain records, inventory, and documentation.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively assist and educate diverse patrons.
• Interest in outdoor recreation, community engagement, and promoting equitable access to equipment and resources.

Schedule & Compensation:

This position will work roughly 20 hours per week at a rate of $17/hour.

FIND Outdoors is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.