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.

Position Summary

The Southwest Associate Program Director works under the supervision of the Southwest Program Director and is responsible for coordinating program-wide curriculum and safety, field staff training and performance management, ensuring high-quality course delivery and operations, and managing the permits for the program.

The Associate Program Director oversees and ensures safe, quality, family- and student-centered programming. This is a management position, with significant responsibilities to supervise and ensure high-quality systems and processes are implemented throughout the program management team and field staff.

This is an office-based position, with frequent field visits and travel as needed. Although we operate in several different environments, at our Southwest Program (SWP) there is an emphasis on river running. Someone in this position should have experience with whitewater, which includes the ability to coach, mentor, and manage a variety of watercraft up to class IV whitewater.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Serves as a collaborative and active member of the Southwest Program Leadership Team on implementing strategies to meet program needs, goals, and directional strategy. Duties may include developing program goals, refining program systems for effectiveness, efficiency, or outcome, and informing and developing training systems.
• Supports the development and maintenance of a professional, engaging, and inclusive team culture across the school and specifically in the Southwest at all levels of the program.
• Supervises Program Managers in their responsibilities, ensuring course and student experiences consistently meet the school’s safety and quality benchmarks.
• Oversees the delivery of high-quality student experiences through coaching and mentoring of field staff in alignment with school progressions, curriculum, and policies and procedures.
• Manage SWP course supervision schedule.
• Oversees the professional development and management of field staff through active coaching and mentoring through utilization of organizational performance and goals documents.
• Oversees staff evaluations and performance management of program managers and field staff, and ensures disciplinary matters are addressed.
• Collaborates with the Staffing Manager on seasonal hiring, orientation, and instructor team grouping and scheduling, as well as offboarding and evaluation.

Safety & Risk Management

• Supports and monitors the tracking of SWP safety learnings and policy violations and related action items, including the collection, maintenance, and distribution of all incident and safety related materials including the national incident database.
• Supports and monitors SWP incident reporting, analysis, and database management and follow up in line with OBUSA standards.
• Writes and reviews incident reports and analyses to ensure thorough and accurate reporting. Leads staff team debriefs on select incidents. Ensures pertinent feedback from incidents are delivered and documented to field staff and program administrators.
• Partakes in Safety Working Group meetings, and ensures SWP implementation of decisions around paperwork, policy, and process as it relates to field staff.
• Supports the COBS Emergency Response System, which includes responding to field calls and emergencies, decision-making, acting as incident command for field incidents, and following and training staff on the Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
• Supports implementation of the National Safety Standards (NSS) throughout COBS.
• Adheres to all local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures outlined in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook, and maintains appropriate conduct and behavior expectations on course.
• Manages student groups and handles field emergencies directly or through our Incident Support Network (ISN) as requested.

Course Quality & Oversight

• Works with the Safety and Training Manager to develop and deliver Field Training Curriculum at the SWP, ensuring relevant curriculum, strong assessments, and well-supported trainers. Leads staff trainings as assigned.
• Maintains SWP staff safety and educational resources, including Field Policies, Field Staff Manual, student support resources, and Course Area and Course Management Plan resources, updated annually.
• Oversees and manages the program’s field mapping needs.
• Manages and maintains all course supervision resources.
• As primary liaison with the Student Services Department, this position is expected to maintain and improve the “Quality Family Experience” communication including student course materials (updated annually), student evaluations, and family communications.
• Expected to take on course supervision responsibilities as needed.
• Conducts supervisory visits to field operation sites. Oversees assigned trainings, courses, and technical sites as needed. Field work and logistical support as assigned, including driving school vehicles and students.
• Actively coaches and mentors field staff through behavior incidents on course.
• Provides clear, effective, and timely communication with Instructors, Course Directors, Course Supervisors, or other staff. Committed to receiving, openly sharing, and resolving feedback that comes from staff.
• Clearly, professionally, and compassionately communicates with student families during and after course.

Permit Management

• Maintains and updates the SWP’s permits and communicates accordingly with land agencies.
• Manages river launches and backcountry entry permits, and ensures required campground reservations are acquired.

Community Building

• Models and promotes COBS’s organizational values and a welcoming and inclusive community culture.
• Assists with basecamp upkeep, standards, and systems, including shared oversight of staff housing.
• Assists in planning and executing SWP events and celebrations.

Special Projects

• Additional key projects, tasks, and responsibilities will be delegated as needed from the Program Director. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
• Course and student outcome reporting.
• Implementation of assigned OBUSA national and COBS initiatives.
• Fills trainer roles as assigned and supports development and implementation of field staff training.

• Assists with pre-season and post-season programming preparation and shutdown.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge

• 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 a positive team member.
• Strong and effective communicator.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent driving skills and record. Experience in large vehicles with trailers preferred.

Work Experience

• 5 years of experience in the outdoor recreation and education field, including training and safety management and supervisory responsibilities.

• Proficiency and familiarity with several of the offered program activities such as backpacking, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, canyoneering, and/or rock climbing. 
• Experience working with youth.
• Experience as an adult educator
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop staff.
• Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and Epinephrine certification.
• Swift Water Rescue certification.
• Mental Health First Aid certification.
• Must have held a driver’s license for at least 5 years.

Physical Requirements 

• Based in Moab, UT with some travel to other sites and locations as required.
• Expected to work 5 days/week, with work and on-call duties over weekends and/or holidays as needed.
• Sitting at a desk or computer approximately 80% of the time.
• Occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions, including inclement conditions such as high heat, rain, mud, snow and cold.
• Ability to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity including but not limited to camping, backpacking, rafting, canoeing, canyoneering, and/or rock climbing.
• Ability to bend, lift, kneel, crawl, and carry up to 65lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation: $3,750 – $4,166/month (Equivalent to a 12-month annualized salary range of $45,000 – $50,000).
• 10.5-month, exempt position, typically this position operates from the beginning of January through the middle of November.
• 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.
• Optional temporary on-site housing available.

Application Process

Please submit resume and cover letter to Lance Plank (he/him), Southwest Program Director through the application link via JazzHR.