RMI Expeditions & Whittaker Mountaineering  |  Ashford, WA

Full-Time, Exempt  |  Hybrid - Minimum 3 Days On-Site Required  |  $60,000-$78,000 DOE

About RMI Expeditions & Whittaker Mountaineering

RMI Expeditions and Whittaker Mountaineering are two closely related businesses operating at the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park in Ashford, Washington. RMI Expeditions is one of the world’s leading guided mountaineering companies, leading expeditions on Rainier, Denali, Kilimanjaro, and beyond. Whittaker Mountaineering is a specialty outdoor retailer and rental outfitter equipping climbers, hikers, and adventurers with curated gear, real expertise, and a high standard of service.

Both organizations are family-owned and share a deep commitment to the outdoors, operational excellence, and building a team that takes its work seriously. Our staff populations are diverse, including guides, retail and rental associates, warehouse and logistics teams, and office staff. Our operations are defined by high seasonality, high standards, and a culture where consistency matters.

The Role

This is a new position for our organization, and a meaningful one. As our first dedicated HR hire, you will serve as the central operational hub for human resources execution across both RMI Expeditions and Whittaker Mountaineering, supporting two companies with equal priority.

You will own payroll administration end-to-end for Whittaker Mountaineering, support RMI’s Senior Accountant during peak guide payroll periods, and manage the full arc of the employee lifecycle: onboarding, benefits, compliance, performance reviews, and offboarding. You will also serve as the point of contact for employee relations matters and ensure our HR documentation, policies, and records are accurate, current, and audit-ready.

This role does not independently hire, discipline, or terminate employees, but is responsible for enforcing policy, maintaining records, and ensuring managers and ownership are equipped to make well-informed decisions.

Seasonality is a defining feature of the position. Spring and summer emphasize onboarding, compliance, and employee support across a combined staff that exceeds 120 people at peak. Fall and winter allow greater focus on systems, reporting, payroll stability, and planning support.

Who You Are

You are an organized, discreet HR professional who thrives in a hands-on, multi-faceted role. You are comfortable running payroll, managing compliance, coordinating benefits, and being the person employees turn to with questions, all in the same week. You bring genuine HR expertise and the discipline to maintain clean, accurate records without being prompted.

You understand how to operate within defined authority boundaries. You enforce process, document issues, and escalate appropriately rather than acting unilaterally. You are calm in sensitive situations and trustworthy with confidential information.

You are genuinely excited to work in the outdoor industry. The idea of supporting a team of mountain guides, gear specialists, and outdoor professionals appeals to you, and you bring an authentic enthusiasm for the environment we operate in. You do not need to be a climber, but you should be someone who finds meaning in this world and is energized by it.

You are excited, not deterred, by the opportunity to build HR infrastructure in an organization that has not had a dedicated HR function before. You approach that challenge as an opportunity to make a real and lasting impact.

Responsibilities

Payroll & Compensation Administration

• Run payroll end-to-end for Whittaker Mountaineering, including timesheet review, processing, submission, and discrepancy resolution.

• Support RMI’s Senior Accountant with payroll preparation, review, and coverage during peak guide payroll periods (primarily May-August).

• Ensure accurate employee classification, pay rates, overtime calculations, and seasonal adjustments across both entities.

• Administer compensation tracking, incentive payouts, payroll documentation, and regulatory compliance.

Onboarding, Offboarding & Employee Records

• Own onboarding and offboarding processes for Whittaker Mountaineering seasonal and full-time staff; support RMI’s Office Manager on the same for RMI staff.

• Prepare and maintain offer letters, I-9s, policy acknowledgments, system access coordination, and benefits transitions.

• Ensure employees understand company policies, expectations, and administrative requirements.

• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records, HR files, handbooks, and required documentation across both entities.

• Coordinate HR-related meetings, trainings, and required administrative touchpoints.

Performance Reviews, Surveys & Manager Support

• Coordinate and administer performance review cycles across departments and both entities.

• Develop and manage review templates and seasonal surveys for guides, office staff, and retail teams.

• Track and compile performance inputs including peer feedback, complaints, commendations, and documented issues, and present actionable recommendations to leadership.

• Deliver complete performance review packets to managers; managers and owners deliver reviews directly.

• Maintain historical performance and review documentation.

Employee Relations, Policy & Talent Development

• Serve as a neutral, accessible point of contact for employee HR-related questions and concerns.

• Document employee issues, complaints, and policy matters accurately and consistently.

• Enforce approved HR policies through documentation, procedural follow-through, and appropriate escalation.

• Escalate serious, sensitive, or legally complex matters to executive leadership and our external HR partner.

• Support retention, advancement, incentive structures, and leadership development initiatives in coordination with ownership and management.

This role does not independently discipline or terminate employees, but supports those processes through documentation, escalation, and policy enforcement.

Benefits, Compliance & Risk Management

• Administer employee benefits programs for Whittaker Mountaineering, including medical, retirement, and open enrollment; support RMI’s Senior Accountant on the same for RMI.

• Partner with brokers and benefits providers to manage renewals, resolve issues, and support employee education.

• Evaluate, shop, and negotiate healthcare and retirement plans to ensure competitive and cost-effective offerings.

• Manage workers’ compensation administration, claims coordination, and recordkeeping.

• Maintain compliance with employment laws, required postings, training requirements, OSHA, harassment prevention, and HR audits.

• Partner with our external HR firm for guidance on complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive matters.

Recruiting & Hiring Support

• Draft and maintain job descriptions in coordination with managers and ownership.

• Post open roles, manage applicant flow, and coordinate hiring logistics.

• Prepare offer letters and onboarding materials once hiring decisions are made.

• Support hiring managers throughout the process; final hiring decisions are made by ownership.

Financial & Planning Support (Secondary)

• Provide support and backup for budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning as needed, primarily for Whittaker Mountaineering.

• Assist leadership and accounting staff with data preparation, reporting, and continuity.

This role does not own accounts payable, budgeting, or forecasting functions, but the right candidate can provide valuable support in these areas.

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of HR generalist experience, with demonstrated breadth across payroll, onboarding, compliance, and employee relations.

• Hands-on payroll administration experience, ideally in a seasonal or multi-entity environment.

• Strong working knowledge of Washington State labor laws and employment compliance.

• High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism in handling sensitive information.

• Strong organizational and documentation discipline; you maintain clean records without being asked.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills; able to work effectively with both field staff and executive leadership.

• Technically savvy and capable of quickly adopting new software systems and tools.

• Located within commuting distance of Ashford, WA, or willing to relocate.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Experience in seasonal, outdoor, hospitality, or retail industries.

• Accounting or bookkeeping experience; candidates with strong financial skills may be considered at the higher end of the compensation range.

• Familiarity with benefits administration, including open enrollment and broker relationships.

• Experience with payroll and HR software such as ADP, QuickBooks, and When I Work.

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent HR certification.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Base salary: $60,000-$78,000 DOE (candidates with strong bookkeeping or accounting experience may be considered at the higher end of the range).

• Participation in our profit-trigger-based bonus program.

Health & Retirement

• Medical and Vision: Company pays 75% of premium.

• Simple IRA with 3% employer match.

Outdoor & Lifestyle Perks

• Mountaineering Snow School with RMI Expeditions.

• Opportunity to climb Mt. Rainier with RMI Expeditions at least twice during climbing season (May-September).

• Use of outdoor gear from the Rental Shop at no charge.

• 30% off in-store purchases at Whittaker Mountaineering (excludes used and sale items).

• Industry access to pro deal and employee programs with top outdoor brands.

• 20% off at Rainier BaseCamp Bar & Grill and Whittaker’s Bunkhouse Café.

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to [email protected]. In your cover letter, tell us about your payroll and HR compliance experience, and why this role and this place appeal to you.

RMI Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer.