Aspiring Course Director -Southwest Program

Description

Organizational Overview

The Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is a non-profit adventure-based education organization that emphasizes personal growth through challenge and experience.  For over 60 years our wilderness courses have focused on inspiring responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Colorado Outward Bound School celebrates diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is based on qualifications and business needs. Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.

Working at the Colorado Outward Bound School means joining a growth-minded community where we are actively creating a more inclusive organizational culture. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion shows up at all levels of the organization – in our trainings, in our meetings, on our courses, and in our daily lives. This work can be challenging at times and we are committed to navigating it together to create a supportive and inclusive environment for our staff and our students. To foster a more welcoming outdoor community for all, we are working to address barriers related to race, culture, socioeconomics, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographic location, and mental health.

Position Summary

This position is intended as a pathway for Outdoor Education Lead Instructors with significant field experience to become Course Directors with COBS. (Candidates seeking an entry level instructional position or who have minimal field/outdoor education experience should apply to the Instructor job posting.) This role starts staffed in the Instructor role to learn local systems, and/or Outward Bound model through training and work. Candidates are expected to move towards the  Course Director Role within 45 to 100 COBS field days.  These positions are accountable for safety and course delivery of the field experience.  In the Lead Instructor position, staff supervise and develop Instructors and Interns, and are in turn supervised by Course Directors and Program Managers. Their manager is the Associate Program Director (APD) of Staffing and Training.   

The Lead Instructor is responsible for supervising, instructing, and facilitating students in the field throughout the duration of our primarily wilderness-based courses. Lead Instructors also support pre and post course needs through planning, packing, and structuring the course, course debrief paperwork, safety analysis and learning, and gear cleaning.   

Requirements

Key Responsibilities and Duties

· Deliver the Outward Bound mission and outcomes while teaching course components.  Utilizing the instructor role to educate students about character development, leadership, and service

· Fully participate in course planning; including development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, food and equipment organization/packing

· Support the other instructors and Course Director in all aspects of course safety; identifying, assessing and managing environmental and social risk

· Utilize ‘THE plan’ as a risk assessment and decision-making tool

· Demonstrate the ability to behave as a role model for students, able to manage a range of student behaviors in a positive manner

· May be required to manage a student group and all emergencies in co-instructor’s absence 

· Able to locate and use communication systems in the event of an emergency

· Follow warehouse and basecamp systems to ensure a high functioning basecamp and program. Packing, cleaning, repairing, and inventorying of gear and food. Serve as a role model in the OB community during work and in off hours. 

· Communicate concerns through appropriate channels and is solution-oriented when possible. 

· Participate in the emergency on-call system by supporting evacuations and responding to field emergencies when needed

· Adhere to all local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures outlined in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook

· Provide clear, effective and timely communication with an Instructor, Course Director, Supervisor, or other staff.  Committed to openly sharing and receiving feedback from staff

· Committed to the Inclusion and Access efforts at COBS. 

Minimum criteria for all course areas:

· Has worked at least 120 days in the field with another Outward Bound school or similar expedition-based program with at least 30 of those days in the role of Single Point of Accountability for program safety and quality

· Has worked at least 5 overnight expeditions 4 days or more in length with students aged 11-17

· Experience teaching leadership skills to youth

· Experience designing courses/selecting curriculum based on needs of the student population

· Plans and delivers engaging experience-based educational lessons to achieve desired outcomes

· Medical Certifications: current Wilderness First Responder (or Wilderness EMT), CPR, and Wilderness Epinephrine administration

Education and Work Experience

· Able to articulate a lesson plan for an activity

· Demonstrates group presentation skills

· Exhibits sound and accurate judgement

· Uses equipment and materials properly

· Reports potentially unsafe conditions

· Has passed the technical credentialing/assessment for the course activity.

· Demonstrates the ability to behave as a role model for students, new Instructors, and other field and staff and is able to manage a range of student behaviors in a positive manner

· Ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people

· Ability to demonstrate emotional regulation and balanced decision-making in stressful situations

· High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments

· Flexible, adaptable and open to change

· Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through and commitment

· Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as a positive team member

· Strong and effective communicator, both written and oral. Ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback

· Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously

Physical Requirements

· Must be sufficiently fit to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength and focus to aid students and instructors

· On feet most days – sometimes for up to 16+ hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency or long course events

· Constantly works in outdoor weather conditions, occasionally during poor weather

· Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull. Work is sometimes done in confined spaces and at height

· Occasionally must carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds or more

· Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking, rafting, and/or rock climbing

Experience Requirements

Applicants should meet minimum criteria in at least one of the four technical disciplines listed below. The more skills you have, the more work we can offer you. For the summer we only hire rafters, in the spring and fall we only hire canyoneering, canyon backpacking, and rock climbing specialists. Someone with only climbing or canyon backpacking experience could expect part-time work through this role. 

Minimum criteria for Southwest Rafting

· Comfort and experience with wilderness living and expedition rafting in a professional context

· 1,000+ river miles of at least class III, as person primarily responsible for boat prefer some rowing experience and paddle boat experience

· Certificate of completion of approved Swiftwater Rescue Training 

· Willingness to obtain Backcountry Food Manager License

Minimum criteria for Southwest Canyoneering

· Comfort and experience with wilderness living and expedition canyoneering in a professional context

· At least 20 days backpacking as an instructor 

· Has instructed at least 5 canyoneering days

· 15 documented 3AII or greater canyons

· Passed AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Exam OR PCIA Top Managed Climbing Instructor OR ACA Aspirant Canyon Leader (or greater)

Minimum criteria for Southwest Canyon Backpacking

· Comfort and experience with wilderness living and expedition backpacking  in a professional context

· Minimum of 20+ expedition days working as a backpacking instructor 

Minimum criteria for Rock Climbing Technical Specialist 

· Current AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (or equivalent/greater)

· Comfort and experience with wilderness living and institutional climbing in a professional context

· Has instructed at least 5 rock climbing days 

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

· Wage is dependent upon experience level when applying. Our pay rates are connected to promotion levels. It is expected that candidates will be hired at the Lead Instructor rate. Advancement in levels is based on time in the field and competency.

Lead Instructor: $135/day

Advanced Lead Instructor: $165/day

Senior Instructor: $175/day

Course Director: additional $12/day

· Onsite housing option with meals included while in the field and when working on base

· Paid training in outdoor education facilitation, backcountry risk management, technical skills

· 56 hours of sick pay per year 

· Employee Assistance Program including free counseling sessions

· Eligibility for up to $1,000 in professional development funds after first season

· Outdoor professional gear discounts

· Ability to borrow gear from the COBS equipment library

· Opportunity for growth: Almost all Program Leadership Team members began as Instructors or Interns. Pursuing a career in outdoor education is possible at COBS!

· Access to a network of outdoor professionals: COBS is part of an international network of Outward Bound schools. Joining our community will open doors to a vast network of education professionals and potential for employment at our partner schools in the US and around the world.

Application Process

· Upload your resume, technical experience log, and answer the application instructions

· Supplemental documents can be uploaded as appropriate

· Applications accepted on a rolling basis

*Colorado Outward Bound School is an E-Verify Employer*