Organization

Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is a non-profit adventure-based education organization that emphasizes personal growth through challenge and experience.  For over 50 years our wilderness courses have focused on inspiring responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship.

Commitment to Equity & Diversity

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 based on race, LGBTQ+ identity, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  All employment is based on qualifications and business needs. 

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, performance management for field staff, ensuring high-quality course delivery and operations, and manages 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 management team and field staff.

This is an office-based position, with frequent field visits and travel as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Collaborate as a member of the Program Leadership Team to support the vision and strategy for the Southwest Program. Duties may include developing program goals, refining program systems for efficiency or outcome, and informing and developing training systems.
• Support the development and maintenance of professional and positive team culture at the school and specifically at the Southwest Program (SWP) across all levels of the program.

People Management

• Responsible for ensuring that all field staff (~50 seasonal staff) have clear development plans, receive feedback, mentoring and performance support to best serve our students.
• Oversee staff evaluations, promotion, performance management and ensure disciplinary issues are addressed for program managers and field staff.
• Work with the Staffing Manager to hire, rehire seasonally, orient staff, advise on instructor teams pairing and schedules.
• Manage and supervise assigned Program Managers in their responsibilities, ensuring courses and student experiences consistently meet the school’s safety and quality benchmarks.
• Manage SWP course supervision schedule.   

Program Quality

• Work 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. Lead staff training as assigned.
• Maintain 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.
• Oversee and manage the program’s field mapping needs.
• Manage and maintain all course supervision resources.
• As primary liaison with the Student Services Department continue to improve the “Quality Family Experience” communication including student course materials (updated annually), student evaluations, and family communications.

Safety and Risk Management

• Support and monitor 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.
• Support and monitor SWP incident reporting, analysis and database management and follow up in line with OBUSA standards.
• Partake in Safety Working Group meetings, and ensure SWP implementation of decisions around paperwork, policy, process as it relates to field staff.
• Support the COBS Emergency Response System and train staff in its implementation as requested.  
• Support implementation of the National Safety Standards throughout COBS.

Permit Management

• Maintain and update the SWP’s permits and communicate accordingly to our land agencies.
• Manage river launches and backcountry entry permits and ensure required campground reservations are acquired.

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.
• Other duties as required.

Education and Work Experience

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

• Experience working with youth.
• Proficiency and familiarity with several of the offered program activities such as; rafting, backpacking, canyoneering, kayaking, canoeing and/or rock climbing.
• Supervisory or field leadership experience.
• High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional regulation and balanced decision-making in stressful situations.
• Flexible, adaptable and open to change.
• 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, both written and oral. Proven ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback.
• Valid WFR, Epi, CPR certifications and Youth Mental Health training.
• Strong Intermediate computer skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Sitting at a desk or computer at least 80% of the time.
• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to rafting, backpacking, rock climbing, and canyoneering.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 40 pounds.
• Ability to undertake field visits in extreme environments. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Full Time Position. Annual Salary Range $40,000 – $43,000: $3,333 – $3583/month.
  • 10-month, salaried position, typically this position operates from the middle of January through the middle of November.
• COBS offers a generous PTO, Health, Vision and Dental package with access to Short, Long term Disability, Life and Accident Insurance
• Prodeal Opportunities

Application Information

• Please address cover letter and resume to Lance Plank (he/him), Southwest Program Director