2027 Instructor - Rocky Mountain Program

Colorado Outward Bound School

Leadville, Fort Collins (CO, CO)

On-site

USD 15,000 - 19,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Onsite housing

Meals included

Training wage: $80/day

Post training wage: $105/day

Sick pay: 56 hours/year

Employee assistance program

Outdoor gear discounts

Staff development funds

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is seeking seasonal Instructors for the Rocky Mountain Program in Colorado. The role splits time between field instruction and logistics support, with an early May start and a August/September end, including mandatory paid training before assignments.

Instructors supervise, teach, and facilitate students in ongoing courses; responsibilities include course planning, packing, safety analysis, and gear care, with opportunities for fall work after training.

Qualifications

Medical certification: Wilderness First Aid & CPR at minimum.
Experience working with youth and diverse teams.
Ability to navigate rugged backcountry terrain.
Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Deliver the Outward Bound mission and lead course components.
Supervise and teach students in frontcountry and backcountry settings.
Coordinate course preparation, packing, and safety analyses.
Support logistics and basecamp operations and evacuations as needed.
Maintain safety and risk management during courses.
Communicate effectively with staff and students; provide feedback.

Education

Wilderness First Aid

CPR

Driver's license

AMGA SPI (preferred)

Job description

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 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 access 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

The?COBS Instructor position is an entry level role based in the Rocky Mountain Program (RMP) in Colorado. This is a seasonal position starting in early May and ending in August or September. There is a mandatory paid training before course work is assigned. New Instructors at the RMP split time between Field Instruction and Logistics support. There are often opportunities for work in the Fall after successful completion of new instructor training.

In the Field Instructor role, staff work under the direct supervision of the Lead Instructor or Course Director and are responsible for supervising, teaching and facilitating students in frontcountry and backcountry settings throughout the duration of our courses. Instructors also participate in course preparation including planning, packing, and structuring the course, and post course paperwork, safety analysis, and gear cleaning.

In the Logistics role, staff are responsible for coordinating course-related needs for students and staff such as transportation, gear, and food for course. This role also provides support with daily warehouse and basecamp operations and student evacuations. Both roles require the need to be collaborative, flexible, and hardworking with a commitment to ensuring a safe and quality educational experience for students and co-staff.

At COBS, we facilitate a variety of programming that ranges from 1-72 days and is facilitated in backcountry and frontcountry environments. This allows for different pathways into future roles and increases access to working for COBS. While backcountry and technical experience are key components of this position, we may be able to provide training and/or make some accommodations based on your skill set.

We are looking for skilled educators and facilitators, individuals who are passionate about working with youth, and love being outside. The amount of time in each role will be determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, technical skill sets, staffing needs, student enrollment, individual development plans, and programmatic needs.

Requirements

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Deliver the Outward Bound mission, Distinctive Features, and outcomes while teaching course components. Educate students about character development, leadership, and service.
Committed to building a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated and valued across the COBS community, and our staff and students feel a sense of belonging.
Supports the program and other staff in all aspects of course safety; identifying, assessing and managing environmental and human risk, using risk assessment and decision‑making tools.
Demonstrates the ability to behave as a role model for students, able to manage a range of student behaviors in a positive manner.
Follow warehouse and basecamp systems to ensure a high functioning basecamp and program. Packing, cleaning, repairing, and inventorying of gear, food, and facilities.
Participate in the emergency on‑call system by supporting evacuations and responding to field emergencies when needed; may be required to manage a student group and all emergencies in co‑staff’s absence. Will serve on Logistics On‑Call rotation to support evacuations with driving support and student supervision while on base.
Adheres 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, Logistical Staff, Course Director, Supervisor, or other staff. Committed to openly sharing and receiving feedback.
Take photos while on course and at course events.
Participates in course planning; including development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, food and equipment organization/packing, and post course paperwork.
Oversees logistical systems that include food planning, food packing, and gear packing for up to 40 people; tracking, managing, and repairing gear; and providing valuable feedback to continue improving course quality and the student experience.
Functions as a driver for course events, where operating large vehicles and driving on 4x4 roads is a common function of the job. Including contributing to vehicle maintenance through vehicle checks and communication of needs for repairs.

Education and Work Experience

Medical Certification: Wilderness First Aid & CPR at minimum, but higher level of certification (Wilderness First Responder WFR) needed for backcountry courses
Exhibits sound and accurate judgement
Demonstrates safe and appropriate use of equipment and materials
Experience working on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people
Experience working with youth
Must have held a driver’s license for more than 3 years and meet our insurance requirements for a safe driving record. (J-1 Visa candidates are exempt from this qualification and will not drive for COBS)
Practices emotional regulation and balanced decision‑making in stressful situations
High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments
Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow through and commitment
Work in both independent and cooperative team environments, and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
Strong and effective communicator, both written and oral
Ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback
Approximately 30 days of wilderness or expedition based overnight travel
Experience navigating with a topographical map and compass
For Mountaineering Courses: AMGA or PCIA Single Pitch Instructor Certification or significant climbing/mountaineering experience. New Instructors can be pursuing an SPI cert to qualify for Mountaineering Training (ex: SPI Course only)
Please see https://www.cobs.org/connect/employment/instructor-roles/ for more information on what instructors need

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must be able to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength, self-care, and focus to aid students and staff, with or without reasonable accommodation.
On feet most days sometimes 16+ hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency, and able to ascend, descend, or traverse rugged, uneven, and steep (ex. 30-50°) terrain (on and off-trail) covered in snow, water, loose rocks, or thick vegetation at elevations of 12,000 ft (3650 m) or more for five miles (8 km) or more over consecutive days while wearing a backpack weighing at least 50 pounds (22 kg).
Constantly works in outdoor weather conditions and able to regulate body temperature through clothing and actions, often during poor weather in temperature ranges commonly as low or high as 20°F/-7°C to 80°F/27°C (and colder for November to March courses).
Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull. Work is sometimes done in confined spaces and at height
Must carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking, mountaineering, and/or rock climbing

Compensation and Benefits

Paid trainings in outdoor education facilitation, backcountry risk management, & technical skills at Training Wage - $80 per day
Post training wage - $105 per day
Onsite housing with meals included while in the field and food available during work days on base
56 hours of sick pay per year
Employee Assistance Program including free counseling sessions
Outdoor professional gear discounts
Eligible for staff development funds after one year
Opportunity for growth: Almost all Program Managers and Directors 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