2027 Fellowship for Emerging Leaders - Instructor, Rocky Mountain Program

Colorado Outward Bound School • Leadville, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Outward Bound School’s Emerging Leadership Fellowship provides training and field experience toward an entry-level instructor position in its Rocky Mountain Program, based in Leadville, Colorado. This seasonal role runs from May through August, with paid training before instruction begins. Fellows divide their time between field instruction and logistics support. There may be opportunities to work in the fall after successful completion of new-instructor training.

Fellows join instructors and course directors to deliver Outward Bound programming and outcomes, supervising, teaching, and facilitating students in frontcountry and backcountry settings. After successfully completing training, fellows work as primary instructors on courses and manage course risk. They also help plan, pack, and structure courses, complete debrief and safety-analysis paperwork, and clean gear. Fellows who do not yet meet training standards may serve as apprentices under the mentorship of instructional staff, with the aim of becoming instructors the following summer. A dedicated program leader supports fellows’ career goals, skill development, scheduling, and community needs.

In the logistics role, fellows coordinate transportation, equipment, and food for students and staff; support warehouse and basecamp operations; and assist with student evacuations. The program includes courses lasting from 1 to 72 days in backcountry and frontcountry environments. Training or accommodations may be available depending on an applicant’s skills. At the end of the season, fellows receive a check-in and support for continued growth and career goals, both within COBS and elsewhere.

Requirements

• Must be able to obtain a full, in-person Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification before training; COBS can assist with obtaining it.
• Mental Health First Aid certification is listed; training resources are provided.
• Sound and accurate judgment.
• Safe and appropriate use of equipment and materials.
• Experience working on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people.
• Experience working with youth.
• Emotional regulation and balanced decision-making in stressful situations.
• Professionalism and strong leadership attributes in work and community environments.
• Motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively, and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to give and receive positive and constructive feedback.
• Ability to participate in site and course activities and maintain the energy, strength, and focus needed to support students and instructors, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to spend most days on one’s feet, sometimes for 16 or more hours, and potentially longer during emergencies.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, often poor weather.
• Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry, and pull; work may involve confined spaces and heights.
• Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activities, including backpacking, mountaineering, and/or rock climbing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and comfort sleeping and living in a wilderness environment, often in inclement weather.

Responsibilities

• Teach course components and deliver the Outward Bound mission, Distinctive Features, and outcomes, including education in character development, leadership, and service.
• Support course safety by identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and human risks using risk-assessment and decision-making tools.
• Model positive behavior and manage a range of student behaviors constructively.
• Follow warehouse and basecamp systems, including packing, cleaning, repairing, and inventorying gear, food, and facilities.
• Participate in the emergency on-call system, supporting evacuations and field emergencies; provide driving support and student supervision during the Logistics On-Call rotation, and potentially manage a student group and emergencies when co-staff are absent.
• Follow local operating procedures and the safety and emergency procedures in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and promptly with instructors, logistics staff, course directors, supervisors, and other staff; share and receive feedback.
• Take photos during courses and course events.
• Participate in course planning, including educational and technical curriculum development, route planning, food and equipment organization and packing, and post-course paperwork.
• Oversee logistics for groups of up to 40 people, including food planning and packing, gear packing, tracking, management and repair of gear, and feedback to improve course quality and the student experience.
• Drive for course events, including large vehicles and 4x4 roads, and contribute to vehicle maintenance through checks and communication about repair needs.

Benefits

• Onsite housing, with meals included while in the field and food available during work days at 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.
• $500 reimbursement for travel or gear.
• Eligibility for staff development funds after one year.
• Outdoor professional gear discounts.
• Ability to borrow gear from the COBS equipment library.
• Career growth opportunities within COBS and access to an international network of Outward Bound schools and outdoor education professionals.

What This Job Offers

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