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 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 appropriate law. All employment is based on qualifications and business needs. Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.
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 COBS Emerging Leadership Fellowship provides an accessible entry point to the outdoor industry through the opportunity for training and obtaining field experience to fill an entry-level instructor position during the summer season based in the Rocky Mountain Program (RMP) in Leadville, Colorado. This Fellowship was historically designed for BIPOC individuals, but all marginalized identities and protected classes are welcome to apply. This seasonal position begins in the summer (May) and ends in August. Paid training takes place prior to beginning your role as an instructor. New Instructors at the RMP split time between Field Instruction and Logistics support. There are often opportunities for work in the Fall after successful completion of new instructor training.
Fellows are hired annually and will join our existing team of Instructors and Course Directors to deliver the Outward Bound mission and Education Framework through supervising, teaching and facilitating students in front country and backcountry settings throughout the duration of our courses. Fellows, alongside all other new instructors, will participate in pre-season trainings. Upon successful completion of any of our trainings, fellows will be staffed as an instructor on courses and will be responsible for managing risk while on the course. Fellows also support pre- and post-course needs through planning, packing and structuring the course, completing course debrief paperwork, safety analysis and gear cleaning.
If a Fellow is unable to meet the standards of training at that time, they will be positioned as a Fellowship Apprentice on a course and will be mentored by the instructional staff, a step towards being staffed as an Instructor on later courses or the following summer. Fellows will be supported by a dedicated program leader who will support their career aspirations, assist with skill development, and support scheduling, community, and support needs.
In the Logistics role, staff are responsible for coordinating course-related needs for students and staff such as transportation, gear, and food for course. This role also provides support with daily warehouse and basecamp operations and student evacuations. Both roles require the need to be collaborative, flexible, and hardworking with a commitment to ensuring a safe and quality educational experience for students and co-staff.
At COBS, we facilitate a variety of programming that ranges from 1-72 days and is facilitated in backcountry and frontcountry environments. This allows for different pathways into future roles and increases access to working for COBS. While backcountry and technical experience are key components of this position, we may be able to provide training and/or make some accommodations based on your skill set.
After the Fellowship is complete you will have an End of Season check-in and we will look back on your summer and work with you to continue growing as an instructor. We will also provide support for your career goals, both within COBS and outside the organization.