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 applicable law. All employment is based on qualifications and business needs.

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

COBS’s Fellowship & Community Culture Coordinator position is a reimagined role that works to help foster and facilitate a welcoming and inclusive community culture at the Leadville Mountain Center (LMC) and among the Rocky Mountain Program (RMP) community. The Fellowship & Community Culture Coordinator is a mentored leadership role based at the RMP in Leadville, Colorado, and reports to the Associate Program Director (APD) of Safety & Course Delivery. The RMP community is composed of new and returning seasonal staff, program administrators, and HQ employees. The Fellowship for Emerging Leaders is an entry point for employment at COBS in an effort to remove barriers to access into the outdoor recreation and education industry for People of Color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities. Through the Fellowship, COBS hires 6 Instructors annually to join the seasonal staffing team. This position, although not a supervisor, will directly act as a mentor and support system for individuals hired through the fellowship pathway. This position will also focus on maintaining, developing, and advancing the diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) work at the RMP in collaboration with the Program Leadership Team (PLT), the DEIJ Committee, and other colleagues. The Fellowship & Community Culture Coordinator will meet regularly with their supervisor as well as the RMP PD for mentorship, guidance, and professional development. This position will work primarily in the office with opportunities for course and field visits. This position serves as a member of the PLT helping ensure quality program delivery, and a welcoming and inclusive culture for all members of the RMP community. The RMP Fellowship and Community Culture Coordinator is a seasonal position that includes options housing on the basecamp premises in Leadville, Colorado and includes meals and lodging.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as a collaborative and active member of the RMP PLT to ensure high quality support for all students and staff, with a focus on fostering and facilitating a welcoming and inclusive community culture.
• Develops an understanding of the Outward Bound Mission, Educational Framework, and Domains of Thriving.  
• Supports Fellowship Instructors and all RMP staff by providing training and education, and acting as a liaison to represent their respective voices at the PLT, and helping establish and facilitate affinity spaces for marginalized communities and identities at COBS, based on interest and engagement of those respective communities and identities.
• Works with Program Leadership in creating alignment with and implementation of COBS instructional tools, best practices, policies, and procedures. 
• Creates and initiates activities and events for all staff to engage, learn, and build community among the RMP staff.
• Supports, influences, and advises on COBS’s courses, itineraries, curriculum, trainings, and the community, regarding how we serve students and staff of historically marginalized and underrepresented and disinvested communities.
• Attends and contributes to regularly scheduled PLT meetings.
• Adheres to all local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures outlined in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook.
• Commits to openly sharing and receiving feedback and serves as a role model for our students, staff, and community.
• Provides clear, effective and timely communication with Instructors, Course Directors, and other staff.
• Committed to openly sharing and receiving feedback from staff.
• Acts as a communication conduit between field staff and program leadership. 
• Additional program-related tasks and support as requested. Possibilities include but are not limited to managing Interns, coordinating service projects, updating course areas guides, and curriculum and itinerary writing.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Personal commitment to, and working knowledge of, the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Comfort with a wide range of groups serving and educating youth to executive teams.
• Experience working in customer service or hospitality.
• Knowledge and experience with outdoor recreation and adventure education programs preferred.
• Ability to effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people and identities, including those that might be different than your own lived experience.
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proactive and effective communicator and collaborator.
• Possess skills to promote a welcoming and inclusive community culture.
• Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite or a willingness to learn such software upon hire.
• Excellent driving skills and record. Experience in large vehicles with trailers preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the outdoor education or experiential learning field or any other similar combination.
• Experience working with youth and managing group dynamics.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain it upon hire. COBS will cover/reimburse the cost of the certification.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
• Must have held a driver’s license for over 5 years.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to camping, backpacking, rock climbing and ropes courses.
• Sitting at a desk or computer 60% of the time or greater.
• Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull. Work is sometimes done in confined spaces and at height.
• Could potentially work in outdoor weather conditions, occasionally during poor weather.

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time seasonal nonexempt position with an hourly pay rate of $20, which equals $3,466.67/month and $41,600 annualized.
• The general schedule is approximately 22 days/month based on a 5 out of 7 days/week schedule, which many need to flex due to programming needs, with weekends and/or holiday work required based on COBS’s program calendar.
• 56 hours of paid Sick Leave.
• Onsite housing provided.
• Meals included (Summer months).
• Prodeal eligible.

Application Process

• Apply for this position using the link via JazzHR below.
• Upload your resume, technical experience log, and answer the application instructions.
• Your cover letter can be addressed to Brandon Daun (Rocky Mountain Program Director).
• Supplemental documents can be uploaded as appropriate.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.