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, national 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.

Role Summary

The Program Director holds responsibility for the delivery and support of all COBS programs from the Rocky Mountain Program (RMP), including safety standards, quality control, people management, human resources, staff learning and development, facilities and infrastructure, and efficiency in delivery and cost management. This is a senior-level management position, with supervisory and financial responsibilities. It is an office-based position, with occasional field visits (driving as needed), and reports to the Director of Programs and Safety.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership and Team Management

• Embraces and embodies the Outward Bound philosophy, mission, and core values in all interactions with staff, students, colleagues, clients, and the larger community.
• In alignment with the Director of Programs and Safety, develops and implements a strategic plan for the RMP that supports and advances COBS’s long-term vision.
• Leads the RMP Leadership Team in executing and implementing the strategy for the RMP.
• Develops and maintains a professional and positive team culture at the RMP.
• Hires, manages, and oversees the training and development of RMP department heads – Associate Program Directors (APD) of Safety and Course Delivery, Staff Training and Development, and Logistics.
• Actively engages in succession planning and mentoring staff to become future leaders of the RMP and COBS.
• Collaborates with the HR Director on team management, succession planning and professional development, employment decisions, employee relations matters, organizational culture.
• Ensures staff adhere to COBS’s policies and procedures.
• Manages the basecamp residences and staff housing assignments.
• Facilitates and fosters a welcoming community and culture at the RMP, on base, and among staff.

Safety Management

• Supports the integration of the National Safety Standards (NSS) into the RMP.

• Ensures the continual improvement of safety management practices at the RMP.
• Oversees and supports the RMP’s implementation of COBS’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP); participates in on-call support; and assumes programmatic responsibilities during emergencies.
• Supports COBS’s Facilities department in ensuring the safety of all RMP facilities, including compliance with OSHA and Outward Bound NSS.
• Ensures ropes course inspections, audits, and reviews are completed according to standards.

Program Management & Operations

• Ensures RMP courses comply with OBUSA and COBS safety and risk management standards.
• Ensures RMP courses comply with COBS Educational framework and deliver high-quality educational experiences for our students.
• Ensures accurate and scheduled documenting and reporting with land service agencies and partners for all RMP course areas.
• Ensures course supervision, high ropes site management, and training responsibilities as required.

Staff Training and Development

• Works with APD of Staff Training and Development and the Staffing Manager to ensure all RMP staff are qualified and competent for the jobs they are assigned.
• Ensures RMP staff training is implemented in alignment with the COBS training guidelines.
• Works with APD of Logistics to ensure staff are appropriately trained in driving COBS’s vehicles.
• Works with APDs to ensure staff training and development on ropes course.

Business Administration

• Collaborates with and provides timely support to COBS’s Finance, Sales, and Admissions teams.
• In alignment with the Director of Programs and Safety, and in collaboration with APDs, builds and manages the RMP expense budget.
• Works with the Director of Finance to analyze and monitor RMP profit and loss budget reports and makes adjustments as necessary.
• Identifies and works with key team members to implement operational efficiencies.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Personal commitment to and working knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of and commitment to Outward Bound program structures, mission, and educational framework.
• Ability to demonstrate and mentor emotional regulation and balanced decision-making in stressful situations. 
• High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments.
• Serves as a role model for students, staff, and community, able to manage a range of student behaviors in an inclusive and professional manner.
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment.
• Proven ability to manage work projects involving multiple stakeholders and decision makers.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as an engaged team member.
• Strong forecasting and budgeting skills for both financial budget and time management.
• Strong and effective communicator.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite.

Education and Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the outdoor recreation and environmental education fields, with at least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Previous management and financial/budgeting experience.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to bend, lift, kneel, crawl, and carry up to 65lbs.
• Must be able to work around confined spaces, underground, at heights, and above ground.
• Requires sitting at a desk or computer at least 30% of the time.
• Must be able to drive to and among facility locations, including drive times of approximately 6 hours.

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $55,000-$65,000, depending on qualifications.
• Benefits eligibility for medical, dental, and vision insurance, where COBS pays a significant amount toward healthcare premiums and provides employee-paid short- and long-term disability coverage and basic life insurance.
• 20 days of Paid Time Off that accrues throughout the first year, with an additional day of PTO added for each consecutive year of service.
• 56 hours of paid Sick Leave.
• 40 hours of paid time for approved volunteer activities and community service.
• 401k eligibility available after one year of service.
• ProDeal eligibility.

Application Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Amber Barnett (she/her), Director of Programs and Safety, through the application link via JazzHR. We will be accepting applications through Monday, October 3, 2022. We will start reviewing applications on Monday, September 26, 2022.