Aspiring Course Director -Southwest Program

Colorado Outward Bound School • Moab, UT

19d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aspiring Course Director role is a pathway for Outdoor Education Leads with significant field experience to become Course Directors at Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS). The position begins in the Lead Instructor role, where staff learn local systems and the Outward Bound model through training and work. Candidates are expected to progress toward the Course Director role within 45 to 100 COBS field days. Staff are accountable for the safety and delivery of field experiences. Lead Instructors supervise, teach, and facilitate students on primarily wilderness-based courses; supervise and develop Instructors and Interns; and support Course Directors and Program Managers. The role reports to the APD-Staffing and Training manager.

Lead Instructors also support pre- and post-course work, including course planning, packing and structuring, debrief paperwork, safety analysis, and gear cleaning. Candidates should meet the minimum criteria in at least one of four technical disciplines: Southwest rafting, Southwest canyoneering, Southwest canyon backpacking, or rock climbing technical specialist. Seasonal hiring needs differ by discipline: rafting specialists are hired for summer, while canyoneering, canyon backpacking, and rock-climbing specialists are hired for spring and fall. The posting notes that people with only climbing or canyon backpacking experience could expect part-time work.

Colorado Outward Bound School is a nonprofit adventure-based education organization focused on personal growth through challenge and experience. It emphasizes responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship, and describes an organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

• At least 120 field days with another Outward Bound school or a similar expedition-based program, including at least 30 days as the person with single-point accountability for program safety and quality.
• At least three field-based overnight programs lasting 5–7 days.
• At least five overnight expeditions of four days or longer with students aged 13–17.
• Experience teaching leadership skills to youth.
• Experience designing courses or selecting curriculum based on student needs.
• Ability to plan and deliver engaging, experience-based educational lessons to achieve desired outcomes.
• Current Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT certification, CPR certification, and Wilderness Epinephrine administration certification.
• Ability to articulate an activity lesson plan and demonstrate group presentation skills.
• Sound and accurate judgment; proper use of equipment and materials; and ability to report potentially unsafe conditions.
• Successful completion of the technical credentialing or assessment for the relevant course activity.
• Ability to work effectively on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people; experience working with youth.
• Ability to regulate emotions and make balanced decisions in stressful situations.
• Professionalism and strong leadership in work and community environments.
• Flexibility, adaptability, openness to change, motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a positive team member.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Sufficient fitness to participate in all site and course activities and maintain energy, strength, and focus to assist students and instructors.
• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activities, including backpacking, rafting, and/or rock climbing.
• For rafting: comfort and experience with wilderness living and expedition rafting in a professional context; 1,000 or more river miles of at least Class III, primarily responsible for a boat, with rowing and paddle-boat experience preferred; and completion of approved Swiftwater Rescue Training.
• For canyoneering: comfort and experience with wilderness living and expedition canyoneering in a professional context; at least 20 days backpacking in an instructional capacity; work on at least one canyoneering course in an instructional capacity; 15 documented 3AII-or-greater canyons; and a passed AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Exam, PCIA Top Managed Climbing Instructor credential, or ACA Aspirant Canyon Leader credential.
• For canyon backpacking: comfort and experience with wilderness living and expedition backpacking in a professional context, and at least 20 expedition days working as a backpacking instructor.
• For rock climbing technical specialist: comfort and experience with wilderness living and instructional climbing in a professional context; teaching at least one rock-climbing course in an instructional capacity; and a current, passed AMGA SPI.

Nice To Haves

• Some rowing experience and paddle-boat experience for rafting.
• Willingness to obtain a Backcountry Food Manager License.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Outward Bound mission and outcomes while teaching course components, including character development, leadership, and service.
• Participate fully in course planning, including developing educational and technical curricula, planning routes, and organizing and packing food and equipment.
• Support instructors and the Course Director in all aspects of course safety, including identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks.
• Use THE Plan as a risk-assessment and decision-making tool.
• Model positive behavior for students and manage a range of student behaviors constructively.
• Manage a student group and emergencies if the co-instructor is absent, when required.
• Locate and use communication systems in emergencies.
• Follow warehouse and basecamp systems, including packing, cleaning, repairing, and inventorying gear and food.
• Serve as a role model in the community during work and off hours.
• Communicate concerns through appropriate channels and seek solutions where possible.
• Participate in the emergency on-call system, supporting evacuations and responding to field emergencies when needed.
• Follow local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and promptly with Instructors, Course Directors, supervisors, and other staff; share and receive feedback.
• Participate in COBS inclusion and access efforts.
• Support pre- and post-course needs, including planning, packing and structuring courses, completing debrief paperwork and safety analysis, and cleaning gear.
• Supervise, teach, and facilitate students in the field throughout wilderness-based courses; supervise and develop Instructors and Interns.

Benefits

• Onsite housing option with meals included while in the field and when working on base.
• Paid training in outdoor education facilitation, backcountry risk management, and 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 the first season.
• Outdoor professional gear discounts.
• Ability to borrow gear from the COBS equipment library.
• Opportunity for career growth, including advancement toward Course Director and other roles.
• Access to an international network of Outward Bound schools and potential employment at partner schools.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed