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About the Outdoor Pursuits
The purpose of Outdoor Pursuits is to provide opportunities for physical and social interaction, student development, student employment, safe-risk taking, skill development, environmental awareness and ultimately a healthier University community. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment; learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.
Challenge Course Facilitator
Guide groups through teambuilding activities on our challenge course including games, challenges, low and high elements.
This is a flexible part-time position, requiring a flexible schedule including weekends. This position requires working outside in all weather conditions, particularly summer sun and heat.
This position is open to students and non-students.
- Set-up and run low and high elements, including dynamic elements, as facilitator.
- Provide excellent customer service and support all of the group’s needs on site.
- Take initiative to solve any issues that arise and exercise excellent judgment at all times.
- Maintain effective communication with supervisor and with all facilitators. Ensure all safety standards are met.
- First Aid and CPR certification
- Comfortable working at heights of 40 feet
- Able to lift 50 lbs. and work outside in all weather conditions
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and risk management
- Experience working with groups of all ages and diverse backgrounds
This is a seasonal position, candidates are welcome to apply for summer only, fall only or both.
- Summer: May 9 to August 21
- Fall: August 22 to November 4
Facilitators are paid an hourly rate starting at $16-$17, depending on experience.
Challenge Course Manager
Lead our team of facilitators as you guide groups through teambuilding activities on our challenge course including games, challenges, low and high elements.
This is a full-time hourly (40 hours/week) temporary position from May through October.
This position is open to students and non-students.
- Serve as the liaison for all groups prior to their program on the challenge course.
- Create lesson plans for each program specific to the group’s goals and objectives.
- Contribute to developing new programs and improving on current programs, procedures, and resources.
- Assist with facilitator training.
- Serve as the PIC (person in charge) during challenge course programs.
- Set-up and run all low and high elements, including dynamic elements, as lead facilitator.
- Perform high element rescue and respond to medical emergencies.
- Provide excellent customer service, work closely with the group’s leader, and support all of the group’s needs on site.
- Take initiative to solve any issues that arise and exercise excellent judgment at all times.
- Supervise staff on the challenge course and provide daily feedback.
- Maintain effective communication with supervisor and with all facilitators.
- Manage course reservations and staffing schedule.
- Inspect course and equipment regularly.
- Ensure all safety standards are met.
- 200 or more hours of experience as a ropes course facilitator including high and low elements.
- 40 or more hours of ropes course training.
- Level 1 ACCT certification or ability to become certified.
- First Aid and CPR certification.
- Comfortable working at heights of 40 feet.
- Able to climb and perform rescue on 40 foot high course.
- Able to lift 50 lbs. and work outside in all weather conditions.
- Experience facilitating groups of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
- One year or more of experience in: customer service, staff supervision and staff training.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and risk management.
This is a seasonal position, candidates are welcome to apply for summer only, fall only or both.
- Summer: May 9 to November 4 (end date flexible)
- Fall: August 16 to October 31
Managers are paid an hourly rate of $20-$23, depending on experience.
Challenge Course Student Coordinator
This is a part-time position of 10 hours/week. Exact hours are flexible and can accommodate class schedules. This position is only open to current students at CU Boulder.
- Maintain professional communication with client groups by phone and email, and oversee the registration process from first inquiry through billing and follow-up.
- Provide excellent customer service to groups throughout the registration process.
- Maintain all records so that they are organized and updated regularly.
- Reach out to new and past client groups to schedule programs.
- Work as a course facilitator when needed.
- Contribute to developing new programs and improving on current challenge course programs, procedures, and resources.
- Assist with staff training when possible.
- Current student at CU Boulder.
- Professional written/verbal communication skills.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience working as a facilitator preferred.
A full academic year commitment is preferred, a one semester commitment may be considered.
Starting pay for Student Coordinators is $16.60/hr
Climbing Gym Attendant
This position supervises the climbing gym, customer contact for the rental center, cleaning and repairing equipment, administer top rope and lead belay tests. Must be able to work 5-10 hours/week, weekends, breaks and Monday nights.
- Supervise the climbing gym
- Customer contact for the rental center
- Equipment cleaning and repair
- Administer top rope and lead belay tests
- Extensive personal climbing experience
- Customer service experience
- Knowledge of climbing specific equipment required
- Knowledge of outdoor recreation equipment preferred
- Teaching/instruction experience a plus
- First Aid/CPR required (will have ability to obtain)
Candidates should expect to work 5 to 10 hours a week, with some weekend, night and break shifts.
Pay for this position is $15/hr.
Climbing Gym Route Setter
Climbing gym route setters set routes in the gym for both bouldering and roped climbing, contribute to group forerunning process, general maintenance of climbing and bouldering walls.
- Setting routes in the gym for both bouldering and roped climbing
- Gontribute to group forerunning process
- General maintenance of climbing and bouldering walls
- Ability to climb 5.11 and V4 is required
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs
- CU Boulder Climbing Gym top rope and lead belay certifications
- Comfortable working at height
- Familiarity with power tools preferred
Applicants should have the ability to work 6 - 8 hours/week, and Monday nights.
Starting pay for Route Setters is $15.30/hr
Trip Leader
Trip leaders teach and lead various Outdoor Pursuits trips and classes, including but not limited to: kayaking, climbing, hiking and snow shoeing. Due to the limited number of trips offered in each area most trip leaders lead a variety of trips and teach clinics. Our application is for a general trip leader position. You can provide us with more info about your specialties in your cover letter and Resume. Please include trips that you have been paid to lead as well as personal trips in your resume.
Trip Leader Positions
Job Description: Teach introductory skills courses and roll sessions in a pool setting
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to demonstrate and teach fundamental kayak skills
- Ability to develop and follow lesson plans
- Has experience kayaking on rivers
- Ability to obtain CPR/FA certification
Preferred:
- American Canoe Assoc. or other white water kayaking instructor certification
Time Requirements
- Two 3 session introductory courses that are two hours each
- Three roll sessions that are two hours each
- Attend up to 3 staff in-services a semester
Job Description: Lead and instruct introductory climbing trips and skills courses
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to demonstrate and teach patrons how to belay and basic climbing technique
- Proficient sport lead climbing
- Proficient at setting both bolted and natural/trad top rope anchors
- Ability to develop and follow lesson plans
- Has experience with outdoor climbing
- Ability to obtain CPR/FA certification
- Ability to drive large vehicle
Preferred:
- Experience with leading trad
- Experience leading climbing trips
- Single Pitch Instructor Certification or similar training
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
Time Requirements
- Lead at least one 8-hour day trip
- Attend up to 3 staff in-services a semester
Job Description: Lead and instruct introductory backcountry ski/board trips
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to demonstrate and teach patrons backcountry travel skills
- Proficient navigation skills
- Ability to develop and follow lesson plans
- Has experience with backcountry skiing
- Ability to obtain CPR/FA certification
- Ability to drive large vehicle
Preferred:
- AIARE or other Avalanche Education Level 1 course completion
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
Time Requirements
- Lead at least one 8 hour trip
- Attend up to 3 staff in-services a semester
Job Description: Lead and instruct introductory backpacking trips
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to demonstrate and teach patrons wilderness camp craft skills
- Proficient navigation skills
- Ability to develop and follow lesson plans
- Has experience with backpacking
- Ability to obtain CPR/FA certification
- Ability to drive large vehicle
Preferred:
- Experience leading multi-day backpacking trips
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
Time Requirements
- Lead at least one 2 day trip
Job Description: Lead and instruct introductory hiking trips
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to demonstrate and teach patrons basic hiking skills
- Proficient navigation skills
- Ability to develop and follow lesson plans
- Ability to obtain CPR/FA certification
- Ability to drive large vehicle
Preferred:
- Experienced hiker
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
Time Requirements
Lead at least one 8 hour trip
Job Description: Lead and instruct introductory snow shoeing trips
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to demonstrate and teach patrons basic snowshoeing skills
- Proficient navigation skills
- Ability to develop and follow lesson plans
- Ability to obtain CPR/FA certification
- Ability to drive large vehicle
Preferred:
- Experience leading snow shoe trips
- AIARE or other Avalanche Education Level 1 course completion
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
Time Requirements
Lead at least one 8 hour trip