Program Director RMP

Description

Position: Program Director

Location: Leadville, CO

Department: Operations

Reports To: School Director

FLSA: Exempt

Date Updated: May 2025

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, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis covered by applicable 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.

Role Summary

The Program Director holds responsibility for the delivery and support of all COBS programs from the Rocky Mountain Program (RMP), including safety standards, quality control, people management, human resources, staff learning and development, facilities and infrastructure, and efficiency in delivery and cost management. This is a senior-level management position, with supervisory and financial responsibilities. It is an office-based position, with occasional field visits (driving as needed), and reports to the School Director. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership and Team Management 

• Facilitates and fosters a welcoming community and culture at the Rocky Mountain Program on base, and among staff.
• Leads the Rocky Mountain Program Leadership Team in executing and implementing the strategy for the Rocky Mountain Program and the School. 
• Works with the Operations Team to prepare our Operations Improvement Plan and works to achieve and manage the goals outlined with the Program Administration teams. 
• Hire, train, supervise, and mentor a diverse team of program staff and seasonal instructors.
• Participate in OBUSA working groups, COBS Board Meetings, and Senior Leadership Team meetings where appropriate.

  Program Management & Operations 

• Ensures Rocky Mountain Program staff deliver high-quality educational experiences for our students by analyzing end of course data, feedback, and follow up when necessary. 
• Ensures accurate and scheduled documenting and reporting with land service agencies and partners for all RMP course areas.
• Oversee program logistics including scheduling, permits, transportation, and equipment management.
• Collaborates with the Director of Student Experience to coordinate course planning and schedule and support staffing for Open Enrollment and Groups programs. 

Risk Management & Safety

• Supports the integration of the National Safety Standards (NSS) into the Rocky Mountain Program. 
• Ensures the continual improvement of safety management practices at the Rocky Mountain Program. 
• Oversees and supports the RMP’s implementation of COBS’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP); participates in on-call support; and assumes programmatic responsibilities during emergencies. 
• Supports COBS’s Facilities department in ensuring the safety of all RMP facilities, including compliance with OSHA and Outward Bound NSS. 

Finance Management & Business Administration 

• Collaborates with and provides timely support to COBS’s Finance, Sales, and Admissions teams. 
• In alignment with the School Director, and in collaboration with APDs, builds and manages the RMP expense budget.
• Works with the Director of Finance to analyze and monitor RMP profit and loss budget reports and makes adjustments as necessary.
• Identifies and works with key team members to implement operational efficiencies.

Requirements

 Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• 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. 
• High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments.
• Serves as a role model for students, staff, and community, able to manage a range of student behaviors in an inclusive and professional manner.
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• 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 an engaged team member.
• Strong and effective communicator.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the outdoor recreation, outdoor education, experiential learning or environmental education fields. 
• Minimum 2+ years of supervisory or people management experience, ideally in a program leadership role.
• Minimum 2+ years of program management ex: logistics, safety oversight, program delivery, student experience
• Previous management and financial/budgeting experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to bend, lift, kneel, crawl, and carry up to 45lbs.
• Must be able to work around confined spaces, underground, at heights, and above ground.
• Requires sitting at a desk or computer at least 30% of the time.
• Must be able to drive to and among facility locations, including drive times of approximately 6 hours.

 Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time 11-months (January-November), seasonal exempt position with an annualized salary range of $60,000-$66,000, depending on qualifications.  
• Benefits eligibility for medical, dental, and vision insurance, where COBS pays a significant amount toward healthcare premiums and provides employee-paid short- and long-term disability coverage and basic life insurance.
• 20 days of Paid Time Off that accrues throughout the first year, with an additional day of PTO added for each consecutive year of service.
• 56 hours of paid Sick Leave.
• 40 hours of paid time for approved volunteer activities and community service.
• 401k eligibility available after one year of service.
• Onsite housing provided if requested/needed 
• ProDeal eligibility.

 Application Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Amber Barnett (she/her), School Director, through the application link via Paylocity. We will be accepting applications through June 13th. 

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