Program Instructor - Stone Canyon

Douglas County School District; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 2,030,000 - 2,952,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plans

Paid sick time

Job summary

Douglas County School District seeks a seasonal Program Instructor for Stone Canyon to support residential outdoor education programs, day retreats, and summer activities. You will supervise students, deliver lessons in science, outdoor education, and leadership, and assist with cabin management and activities for groups up to 15-16 students.

Responsibilities include designing engaging activities, coordinating with the director, maintaining equipment, and ensuring a safe, fun environment.

Qualifications

• Position Type: Seasonal
• Primary Location: Outdoor Education Center
• Scheduled Hours Per Week: 40
• FTE: 1.00
• Open until: November 19, 2026

Responsibilities

• Help design new program activities and lesson plans that meet Colorado State Standards.
• Supervise 4th-8th grade students in a residential outdoor science school setting, including cabin responsibilities.
• Lead songs, games, and activities; make announcements to a large group.
• Deliver lesson plans across science, outdoor education, and leadership.
• Provide basic first aid as trained and respond calmly to emergencies.

Skills

Staff supervision

Outdoor instruction

First aid

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Education

Bachelor's Degree: Recreation

Job description

Program Instructor - Stone Canyon

Job Description: Provides support for various programs occurring at DCOEC, including but not limited to, residential outdoor education (OE), day retreats, corporate team building, and summer activities. During OE, provides around the clock supervision to students, both during activities and periodically at night in cabin. Instructors teach students every week in a variety of classes within the disciplines of science, outdoor education, and leadership development. Provides staffing for chosen activities with retreat and corporate groups. Instructors are expected to provide a fun and safe environment for all clients. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community members and district clientele.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Occasional lifting, twenty (20) to fifty (50) pounds. Occasional lifting, fifty (50) to one hundred (100) pounds. Frequent bending, stooping, walking, climbing, and kneeling.

COMPENSATION: $130/day In-Cabin rate; $100/day Out-of-Cabin rate; 2 nights/week in cabin average

Position Specific Information (if Applicable): This is a seasonal position working January 2026 - May 2026

• Help in the design of new program activities and lesson plans that meet Colorado State Standards.
• Communicate effectively with Director reporting any questions, problems, and/or concerns with program, staff housing, etc.
• Properly care for all ropes course equipment including counting the number of climbers and always communicating any issues to the Director in a timely manner.
• Responsible for set up and take down of elements as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Supervise 4th -8th grade students in a residential outdoor science school setting.
• This includes cabin responsibility, camaraderie with the cabin group, oversight of High School Leaders, supervision between activities and meals, nighttime supervision of cabins (50%), teaching students about cabin cleanup, and other day and nighttime group living activities as assigned.
• Lead songs, games, and any various activities as well as make general announcements to a large group.
• Help in the design of new revenue streams and programs that extend the program calendar.
• Help peers with program responsibilities.
• Assist in the overall site improvements, including trail building, beautification, and fire mitigation.
• Anticipate potential safety hazards and health needs.
• Able to respond to emergencies in a calm manner and follow proper facility procedures during and after an incident.
• Provide basic first aid as trained to do so.
• Help deliver teambuilding and various programming to Retreat and Corporate Groups.
• Attend and participate in all staff trainings and meetings including Staff Orientation and Professional Development Fridays.
• Properly care for equipment and supplies; set up and takedown classrooms, while leaving areas of teaching in good condition for the next instructor; develop teaching aids as assigned.
• Understand and apply Lean methodologies (Toyota Production System) to ensure continuous improvement within program and daily operations.
• Teach activity groups of up to 15-16 students in outdoor class setting.
• Deliver lesson plans including, but not limited to, science, outdoor education, and leadership.
• Oversee instruction and communicate effectively with supervisor any discipline or other issues that may arise within the group.
• Supervise appropriate behavior and manners in the dining hall.

Certifications: CPR/First Aid Certification - American Heart Association

Education: Bachelor's Degree: Education, Bachelor's Degree: Recreation Skills

• Position Type: Seasonal
• Primary Location: Outdoor Education Center
• One Year Only (Yes or No): No
• Scheduled Hours Per Week: 40
• FTE: 1.00
• Approx Scheduled Days Per Year: 0

Work Days (260 days indicates a year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

• Minimum Hire Rate: $1.00 USD Stipend
• Maximum Hire Rate: $1,500.00 USD Stipend
• Full Salary Range: $1.00 USD - $3,000.00 USD Stipend

• This position is eligible for voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plans.
• This position is eligible for paid sick time.

This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past: November 19, 2026

Proud to Be DCSD - 65 Years of Excellence

A career in Colorado's Douglas County School District is a chance to be part of something incredibly important and fulfilling. Spanning over 850 square miles, Douglas County School District offers a variety of communities ranging from small rural farm towns to large and fast-growing suburban neighborhoods. At the heart of it all is a love and dedication to family and a unity of purpose around ensuring that each and every one of our community’s 61,000+ students receives the education needed to have the brightest future possible.

Unity of Purpose

1. Academic Excellence
2. Outstanding Educators and Staff
3. Safe, Positive Climate and Culture
4. Collaborative Relations with Parents and Community
5. Financial Well-Being

Students Are at the Center of What We Do In Douglas County, we know that working in education is more than a job - it’s a calling. Every day our dedicated team of educators guides our community’s future leaders by encouraging them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and solve problems. Our school leaders and staff put students first in everything they do and work hard to ensure that our educators have the tools they need to provide every student the best education possible.

Every Student is Unique In Douglas County, we understand that no two students are the same. Each has a unique learning style and needs. We also know that students want and deserve multiple options for life after high school. We support all students, whether their goal is to go on to a four-year college, join the military, or directly enter the workforce. We have the programs and know-how to ensure our students are successful in whatever they choose to do after high school.

Every Employee Matters. Every Employee Contributes From our school principals and licensed teachers to our nutrition services staff and bus drivers, all DCSD employees touch the lives of students and every employee contributes to their success.