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

The Program Manager (PM) works under the supervision of the Associate Program Director (APD) and is responsible for course oversight. The PM holds both instructional and administrative responsibilities, serving as the primary supervisor of field staff teams, and is accountable for ensuring a safe and quality educational experience for students and staff. Key PM responsibilities include developing, training, coaching, and mentoring staff in their capacity to deliver COBS’s educational framework and curriculum, ensuring student outcomes are met. It is also expected that PMs go on course to fill staffing holes if an Instructor is unable to fulfill their duties for a particular course assignment, serving in the Instructor’s place. Additional duties include course site management, field visits, developing and maintaining records and resources, and on-call responsibilities. The Rocky Mountain Program PM position is a seasonal job that requires staff to reside on the basecamp premises in Leadville, Colorado and includes meals and lodging.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises assigned courses to ensure safe, high-quality course experiences for students and staff through delivering briefings, communicating and upholding COBS policies and procedures, analyzing and reviewing incidents, and providing/documenting clear and complete feedback.
• Supervises assigned staff to ensure safe and quality student experiences and alignment with school progressions, curriculum, policies and procedures. Includes mentoring and developing staff, performance management, reviewing field staff plans, debriefing incidents, documentation,  and reporting.
• In conjunction with Course Directors, Instructors, and Logistics Coordinators, delivers course prep, including safety briefings, course curriculum, and itinerary review; understands student information, needs, and expectations; and facilitates course debrief.
• Conducts supervisory visits to course sites to oversee assigned trainings, curriculum, and technical skills.
• Serves in an Instructor capacity to fill staffing holes on course if and when necessary.
• Acts as liaison between students, families, and programs before, during, and post-course.
• Consistent and professional communication with students’ families during and post-course. 
• Participates in the Emergency On-Call system, including responding to field calls and emergencies, decision-making, acting as incident command for field incidents, and following Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
• 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 is delivered and documented to field staff and program administrators.
• Collects, reviews and files course-end paperwork; updates and/or maintains electronic records and resources. Organizes and maintains staff, supervisor, and program paperwork resources as assigned.
• Adheres to all local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures outlined in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook.
• 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. 
• Manages student groups and handles field emergencies directly or through COBS’s Incident Support Network as requested.
• Supports the Program Leadership Team (PLT) in implementing strategies to meet program needs, goals, and directional strategy.
• 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 and Salesforce platform, or technical skills and 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 and experiential learning field or any other similar combination.
• Experience working with youth and managing group dynamics.

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR 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.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 50 pounds. 
• 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 exempt position with an annualized salary range of $40,000-$45,000, equating to a monthly salary range of $3,333.34-$3,750.
• 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; Colorado PMs are required to live on the premises at COBS’s Leadville, CO basecamp.

• Meals included (Summer months).
• Prodeal eligible.

Application Process

Please apply using the application link via JazzHR and address cover letter and resume to Nick Rushford (he/him), Associate Program Director – Training and Development, [email protected].