Company 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 50 years our wilderness courses have focused on inspiring responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship.

Summary

The Program Manager (PM) works under the supervision of the Associate Program Director (APD) and is responsible for course oversight. The PM holds administrative responsibilities, serving as the primary overseer of field staff teams and is accountable for ensuring a safe and quality experience for staff and students. Key PM responsibilities include developing, training, coaching and mentoring staff in their capacity to deliver COBS’ educational framework and curriculum, ensuring student outcomes are met.  

Additional duties include training, site management, field visits and tracking, and developing and maintaining records and resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise assigned courses to ensure safe, high-quality course experiences through delivering briefings, communicating and upholding COBS policies and procedures, analyzing and reviewing incidents, and providing/documenting clear and complete feedback.

• Supervise assigned field 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, documenting and reporting.
• Deliver pre-course safety briefings and provide direct oversight and instruction regarding course itineraries. 
• Conduct supervisory visits to field operation sites. Oversee assigned training, courses, and technical sites as needed. Fieldwork/ logistic support as assigned, including driving school vehicles and students. 
• Consistent and professional communication with students’ families during and post-course. 
• Work with assigned Associate Program Directors and other leadership to support/coordinate staffing, logistics, itineraries, service, safety and training.
• Participate in the Emergency On-Call system. Includes responding to field calls and emergencies, decision-making, acting as incident command for field incidents and following Emergency Response Plan.
• Write and review incident reports and analyses to ensure thorough and accurate reporting. Lead staff team debriefs on select incidents. Ensure pertinent feedback from incidents is delivered and documented to field staff and program administrators.
• Collect, review and file course end paperwork, update and/or maintain electronic records and resources. Organize and maintain staff, supervisor and program paperwork resources as assigned.
• Adhere to all local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures outlined in the Field Staff Manual and Employee Handbook.
• Provide clear, effective and timely communication with Instructors, Course Directors, Supervisors, or other staff.  Committed to openly sharing and receiving feedback from staff.
• Act as a communication conduit between field staff and program leadership.
• Manage student groups and handle field emergencies directly or through COBS’ Incident Support Network as requested.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Connect with service partners to arrange logistics and ensure quality projects
• COBS trainer role as requested.
• Support the Program Leadership Team in implementing strategies to meet program needs, goals, and directional strategy.
• Additional program related tasks and support as requested

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Understanding of and commitment to Outward Bound, program structures, mission and educational framework.
• Minimum four years instructing and field leadership experience with Outward Bound or a similar wilderness expeditionary organization.
• Supervision and experience related to course environments
• Experience working with youth.
• Experience as an adult educator; able to coach, mentor and develop staff.
• Supervisory or field leadership experience with Outward Bound or a similar wilderness, expedition focused organization.
• Proficiency and familiarity with several of the offered program activities such as; challenge course, backpacking, rafting, mountaineering, skiing/riding and/or rock climbing.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional regulation, good judgement and balanced decision-making in stressful situations.
• High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments.
• Serve as role model for students, staff and community, able to manage a range of student behaviors in a positive and professional manner.
• Ability to build and maintain a positive group culture.
• Flexible, adaptable and open to change.
• Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through and commitment.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as a positive team member.
• Strong and effective communicator, both written and oral. Ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback.
• Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Intermediate computer skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification, or ability to attain before position start.
• ACCT L2 certification or similar experience preferred
• AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification preferred
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Physical Requirements / Location

• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to camping, backpacking, rock climbing and mountaineering. Ability to lift and move a minimum of 65 pounds.
• Sitting at a desk or computer 60% of the time or greater.
• The position must reside on base

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, seasonal position. Annual Salary Range: $35,500- 37,5000 : $2,950 – $3125/month.
• Part-Time (less than 9 months) includes sick leave and meals provided during summer months where available
• The general schedule is 5 out of 7 days/week, Weekends and/or holiday work will be required.
• Onsite housing – required
• Meals included