Come be part of the NORTHSTAR family!
It takes a special person to be part of the NORTHSTAR family. This person does not have to be an expert in adventure nor hospitality, but they do have to have the heart of adventure and the desire to serve. We have had staff from all over the world from places like Kenya, New Zealand, Canada and Singapore. Why don’t you come and challenge yourself with new experiences, new fun, and new memories!
NORTHSTAR is looking for both long and short term staff. Long term staff must have specific skillsets related to business, hospitality, or adventure sports [experiential education]. Short term staff do not need to have the same amount of experience, but should have some experience in hospitality, education, or adventure sports. There are two types of short term positions – seasonal interns [up to 6 months] and apprentices [1 ~ 2 years]. Please note that we typically require a seasonal internship in order to apply for a longer term. Please check out the positions below and if you are interested, go to the bottom of this page to start the application process.
FULL TIME POSITIONS
Are you interested in using your strengths in a mission-minded business? Through high quality hospitality and adventure, we desire to guide others to in pursuing life-changing experiences. Full time staff opportunities vary from season to season. Please see the list below and open the file for position related requirements.
We are currently hiring for the following position(s):
SEASONAL INTERN [Short Term]
Spring : May ~ August
Autumn : August ~ November
Winter : January ~ April
OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR
Seasonal outdoor instructors should have a background or some experience in camps, youth ministry, and/or adventure sports. They should have an interest in adventure sports such as Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, and Snowboarding/Skiing but it is not required to be an “expert” or super qualified.
Not only will instructors work with programming, but they will be involved with hospitality, maintaining the facilities, assisting with meals, taking part in local ministry, and doing community assistance work. If you think that you fit this position or if you have any other questions, please email us and let’s start talking about joining the NORTHSTAR team. Please see the bottom of this page for contact info.
HOSPITALITY
Seasonal hospitality staff should have a background, experience or interest in guest services and/or facility care. Hospitality interns are the backbone of NORTHSTAR and must have a genuine desire to serve. As interns, you will be primarily involved with guest care, maintaining the facilities, assisting with meal preparation and service, and helping support NORTHSTAR programming. It takes a special person to be involved in hospitality and we hope you can be part of the heart of NORTHSTAR.
APPRENTICE
Program Assistant
Length of Term : 6 months +
Starting Date : May or December
Should have a background in adventure sports, experience in youth ministry, and interest in a cross-cultural living experience. Higher Education [4 year or equivalent] is recommended but not required. Applicants who can obtain “Working Holiday” visas to Japan are not required to have a post high school degree. Applicants from the United States must have some form of diploma or certification beyond a high school degree for visa application.
Outdoor Instructor
As an outdoor instructor, you will be equipped with the necessary technical skills to be an instructor / guide for adventure and immersion English programs. In addition to program activities, an instructor will help with the maintainenance of equipment, facilities, trails etc. You will be trained to plan holistic / spiritually sensitive programs, facilitate camps, and enhance activities based upon feedback from campers / guests.
Local Outreach
Will actively assist the local church and NORTHSTAR in reaching out to the community through creative outreach. This may come in a variety of shapes and forms, but some examples are: English classes for adults or youth, climbing nights at the NORTHSTAR wall, rail park sessions in our winter snow park, etc.
Marketing & Media
Length of Term : 6 months +
Starting Date : May
Should have a background in social media, some experience with marketing, and an interest in a cross-cultural living experience. Higher Education [4 year or equivalent] is recommended but not required [i.e. youth ministry or pastoral ministry degree]. Applicants who can obtain “Working Holiday” visas to Japan are not required to have a post high school degree. Applicants from the United States must have some form of diploma or certification beyond a high school degree for visa application.
Marketing
Assisting with the overall marketing plan and specific projects, you will gain experience through hands on experience of the day to day management of the NORTHSTAR brand image. This will include a range of project areas including apparel and other shop product designs, inter-office document design layouts, sales tools, and facility signage.
Media
You will assist in the production of relevant media for our target audience. Using social media, our websites, and other tools to connect with our guests, you will explore a broad range of media devices.
OTHER INFORMATION
NORTHSTAR is an international, lodge & adventure sports Christian Business For Transformation. It is located in the Northern Alps National Park inside Nagano Prefecture. It specializes primarily in hospitality [lodge] and experiential education [adventure sports school] such as snowboarding / skiing, mountain biking and mountaineering.
Finances
Seasonal Interns : Individuals will be responsible to cover full transportation costs to and from Japan including a 12,000 yen [one-way] highway taxi fare for arrival as well as minimal living expenses during their stay. Staff will be expected to cover expenses for personal travel, eating out, and other personal supplies. Benefits include lodging, meals during work days with access to cooking supplies during out of work hours, use of NORTHSTAR’s adventure sports equipment, plus skills training in hospitality and seasonal adventure sports.
Apprentices : Individuals will be paid ¥50,000 yen per month [approximately $450 US] from NORTHSTAR. Other benefits include on-site housing, meals during work days with access to cooking supplies during out of work hours, use of NORTHSTAR’s adventure sports equipment, and skills training in seasonally based sports and educational activities. NORTHSTAR can assist in covering transportation costs. Apprentices may consider supplementing their stipend and transportation expenses by raising a suggested $500 US per month in donations for their individual needs.
Housing
During the stay, staff will typically stay in a dormitory style building with other seasonal and/or apprentice staff. Sheets, bedding, towels, and access to laundry and cooking facilities are provided.
Food
Meals during work days will be provided as well as cooking supplies in the dormitory kitchen.
Insurance
Health insurance will be covered by the individual staff.
Organization
NORTHSTAR is run as a business for transformation. Our vision is to guide others in pursuing a life-changing experience in Christ. – Real Adventure, Real Life
FAQ
If you have further questions, please contact us at info@ridenorthstar.com.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Read and fill out the Intern Application
- Have Character Reference Letters completed by 2 people.
Acceptable references should be one each of the following: (1) a supervisor or someone you have worked or served under that has a good perspective of your strengths and weaknesses & (2) someone you have worked or served with who can attest to your character and peronality. - If you have any questions about the application process, contact as at info@ridenorthstar.com.
- Wait for a response from our director of staff to contact you about your application!
*Returning staff applicants may fill out the Returning Staff Application.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Winter/Spring: November 15th
Spring ~ Summer: April 1st
Autumn: July 1st
*Exceptions to deadlines are made under special circumstances. Please contact us if you are interested but the deadline is passed.
NORTHSTAR Alpine Lodge & Outdoor Adventures
4306-4 Azumi Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1513 Japan
Fax : 81.263.93.1699