Associate Program Director Of Staffing And Training

Company Overview

The Colorado Outward Bound School is a non-profit adventure-based education organization that emphasizes personal growth through challenge and experience.
For over 50 years our 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 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.


We want to be transparent with all applicants that working at the Colorado Outward Bound School means joining a growth-minded community where we are actively dismantling our organization's white supremacy culture.
This conversation shows up at all levels of the organization - in our trainings, in our meetings, on our courses, and in our daily lives.
Anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion work can be messy at times and we remain committed to navigating that together.
Challenge and discovery are what we do and (un)learning is a fundamental part of our practice.
COBS was originally built for and by white men, and now in support of our community members with marginalized identities - at COBS, in the outdoor industry, and beyond - we are actively working on changing that story to support individuals with different identities to empower themselves as we address barriers related to race, culture, socioeconomics, ability, gender, identity, geographic location, and mental health.
While we are committed to learning and making necessary changes, we recognize we have a long way to go and want to notify applicants of that up front.


Role Summary

Colorado Outward Bound School seeks to hire a competent, courageous, and creative leader at the Rocky Mountain Program (RMP).
The Associate Program Director of Staffing and Training will expand our mission and program quality through the development and implementation of systems that support the Rocky Mountain Program operations in the areas of - leadership, training, staff development, risk management, scheduling, course supervision, and performance management.
They will support COBS's strategic plan through the lens of inclusion, equity, and safety.
The APD-Staffing and Training supervises program managers, course directors and field staff.
They will report to the Rocky Mountain Program Director, work closely with other members of the COBS Operations Team, as well as serve on the Program Leadership Team.


Requirements

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership & Management
Serves on the Rocky Mountain Program Leadership Team, focusing on strategy implementation, program optimization, and training development to achieve goals.
Supports the development and maintenance of a professional, engaging, and inclusive team culture across the school and specifically in the Rocky Mountain Program.
Supervises Program Managers in their responsibilities, ensuring course and student experiences consistently meet the school's safety and quality benchmarks.
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.
Model best practices and approaches through a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion Staffing (Recruiting, Hiring, Onboarding, & Scheduling) Committed to building a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated and valued across the COBS community, and our students and staff can feel a sense of belonging.
Projects annual hiring goals for seasonal staff to directly support the delivery of high-quality programming, in collaboration with Program Directors (PD), and Associate Program Directors (APDs).
Oversees the application and hiring process for new field staff (instructors, logistics and warehouse support, and interns).
This role supports HR by maintaining field staff job descriptions, developing recruitment strategies, and managing the onboarding process for the Rocky Mountain Program, with a focus on equity and inclusion.
Partakes in and contributes to COBS Staffing team meetings and Outward Bound USA's (OBUSA) monthly staffing meetings to create alignment between our programs, the national network, and staff experience.
Responsible for upholding safety ratios in line with National Safety Standards and COBS policies and procedures.
Manages seasonal work request process and work agreements for new and returning staff.
Training & Development Supports the delivery of high-quality student experiences through coaching and mentoring of field staff in alignment with school progressions, curriculum, and policies and procedures.
Collaborates and works with the COBS Training team to develop and deliver Field Training Curriculum at the RMP, ensuring relevant curriculum, strong assessments, and well-supported trainers.
Collaborates with the Safety Manager to advise and refine field training curriculum annually.
Supports the maintenance of RMP staff training and educational resources, including but not limited to, Activity Handbooks, Field Staff Manual, student support resources, and Course Area resources.
Accountable for staff promotional process.
Ensures proper documentation and record keeping of staff performance that includes objective evaluation(s) and program assessment.
Oversees field staff development and management by designing training systems, providing coaching and mentoring, and delivering training as needed to meet organizational goals.
Supports APDs and Program Managers (PMs) to ensure adequate mentorship, development, and evaluation of all staff.
Collaborates with Program Leadership Teams (PLTs) to ensure that all staff follow organizational policies and values, holding staff accountable, when necessary, which may include disciplinary procedures up to and including termination.
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.
Helps identify general training and development needs for staff and provides information and next steps.
Safety and Risk Management Participates in 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).
Maintain implementation of the National Safety Standards throughout COBS.
Supports safety systems through writing and reviewing incident reports and analyses to ensure thorough and accurate reporting.
Contributes to staff team debriefs on select incidents.
Ensure pertinent incident feedback is delivered and documented to field staff and program administrators.
Is part of the Incident Support Network.
Support Occupational Safety and Health management throughout the organization, identifying where we are out of compliance.
Human Resources Manages the annual employment paperwork process for new and returning staff, ensuring all field staff paperwork is distributed, collected, processed, and documented properly.
Tracks and informs payroll and staffing systems at the Rocky Mountain Program.
Record keeping and documentation of staff data (tenure, trainings, etc.)
Manages field staff work agreements.
Local liaison for workers' compensation reporting and return to work processes.
Ensures all instructional staff hired and trained at the RMP are competent in their duties.
Special Projects & Duties as Assigned Implementation of OBUSA national initiatives and Professional Learning Lab work at the RMP.
Implementation of COBS grant initiatives.
Assist in scheduling RMP course service projects.
Potential program lead for the Field & Support Internship and Emerging Leaders Fellowship Programs.
Assist the Program Director in managing RMP permits, including accountability for course itineraries.
Help manage and refine RMP Course Supervision processes.
Assists with basecamp upkeep, standards, and systems, including shared oversight of staff housing.
Assists in planning and executing RMP events and celebrations.
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.
Microsoft Suite: Intermediate working knowledge of office, word and excel.
Ability to build excel spreadsheets, sort, use functions.
Excellent driving skills and record.
Experience in large vehicles with trailers preferred.
Strong leadership, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment.
Proven ability to manage work projects involving multiple stakeholders and decision makers.
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
This job requires a high level of communication skills.
Valid WFR, Epi, CPR certifications, and Youth Mental Health training.
Education and Work Experience Minimum of 5 years of experience in the outdoor education field, including training and safety management responsibilities.
Experience with expeditionary learning models, and outdoor adventure activities in mountainous terrain.
People and project management experience.
Ability to train and mentor staff in course activities, including facilitation, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and ropes course operations is preferred.
Must have held a driver's license for at least 5 years.
Familiarity with the Colorado mountains and course areas is preferred.
Physical Requirements Based in Leadville, CO with some travel to other sites and locations 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 at least 80% of the time.
Must be able bend, lift, kneel, crawl, and carry up to 65lbs.
Some field visits, trainings and travel required which will require physical activity including but not limited to camping, backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, and/or high ropes course facilitation.
Working conditions sometimes include extreme cold, heat and high altitude.
Compensation and Benefits This is a full-time, non-exempt salaried position.
It is an 11-month work agreement, with December 15th to January 15th off annually.
Salary Range $55,000-58,000.
The starting salary will be $55,000, allowing for potential annual salary increases.
This position is only paid during the work agreement.
Benefited position with Medical, Vision, Dental, and PTO.
56 hours of paid Sick Leave.
40 hours of paid time for approved volunteer activities and community service.
ProDeal eligible.
Optional on-site housing is available.
Employee Assitance Program.
Application

Please address the cover letter and resume to Brandon Daun, (He/Him)- Rocky Mountain Program Director

**Colorado Outward Bound School is an E-Verify Employer**