Full-Time, 7 Month Course Advisor

Organization 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.

Position Summary  

The COBS Course Advisor will advise students and families enrolled on COBS courses, in course type, curriculum, admission process, outcomes, and school policies and procedures. Course Advisors manage the relationship with 400+ students and families each year with a focus on enrollment retention and student support, using a comprehensive approach to ensure each student has the best chance of a successful course outcome. This position is for a Part-Year Course Advisor, from March through September 2025. Colorado or Utah residency required.

Key Duties and Responsibilities  

• Ensure that all online applications, emails, voicemail, and payment issues are responded to promptly
• Answer phones quickly and professionally, even if it interrupts your present task
• Be knowledgeable about available courses and applicable requirements for various course areas within the region, assists potential students with course selection and enroll participants for course, executing accurate data entry in Salesforce in accordance with OB enrollment procedures
• Proactively direct customers to courses in need to meet departmental goals and objectives  
• Provide superior, friendly, responsive, and informative customer experience to potential, enrolled students and their families
• Help students understand mental and physical readiness to successfully complete a COBS course and work with families to support students as needed during the course
• Explain to students and families COBS’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and confirm their understanding of and participation in our standards of anti-discrimination and no bullying 
• Schedule and conduct individual interviews with most prospectives student regarding their application and program selection  
• Conduct necessary follow-up with student, parent, doctor, and/or therapist to assess motivation, and gather relevant psychological and medical information, consulting with the Student Services Manager (Head Medical Screener) when additional expertise is needed
• Hold student medical information with highest level of confidentiality
• Assess student’s psychological, behavioral, and physical fitness for an Outward Bound course using assessment guidelines and screening and interview tools.   
• Monitor specifics of individual course enrollment; compile and assemble application information. Includes reviewing each course group for balance among student demographics like age, gender, race, and LGBTQ+ identity, evaluating for concerns and following up and/or adjusting the course group accordingly.
• Delivers accurate and complete application materials to Program Staff, with thorough notes and relevant information on all students 
• Process payments, transfers, cancellations, and refunds in a timely manner while maintaining accurate information in our database 
• Provide exceptional customer service to potential and enrolled students and families, handles customer complaints and inquires as needed and escalates to the Student Services Manager when necessary
• Hold family liaison and/or student services liaison role in COBS Emergency Response Plan as needed
• Attend required meetings and training, this may include occasional travel to basecamp locations in Leadville, CO., Moab, UT., or Denver, CO.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications and Experience  

• 1+ year of relevant experience in admissions, customer service, or related fields
• Personal commitment to, and working knowledge of, diversity, equity, and inclusion work
• Well-organized with strong attention to detail, ability to problem-solve, prioritize, and multi-task successfully
• Great communications skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to develop positive and productive relationships with students and their families and COBS staff 
• Customer Service management experience, telephone skills, and computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft products including Word, Excel, Outlook, Sharepoint and Teams
• Self-starter, strong initiative, and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Must work well in a team environment and excel under pressure
• Strong preference for a Bilingual speaker who is able to read, write and speak Spanish proficiently 

Preferred Qualifications and Experience  

• Salesforce experience 
• Previous experience working for a nonprofit organization or an educational institution
• Background in a medical and/or mental health-related field
• Familiarity with Outward Bound philosophy, activities, and course areas of the Colorado Outward Bound School 
• Experience in de-escalation of conflict

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements  

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds 
• Must occasionally travel to our basecamps in Leadville, CO., and Moab, UT, or to in-person events in Denver, CO and the surrounding area 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit   
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Some evening and weekend on-call work may be required during the summer season

Compensation and Benefits  

• This is a full-time, part-year non-exempt position with a 40 hour work week, traditionally Monday – Friday, March through September 2025  
• 56 hours of paid sick time
• Hourly rate of $21.00
• ProDeal eligibility 
• Employee Assistance Program
• This position is remote, Colorado or Utah residency

To Apply  

• Cover Letter and resume can be addressed to Student Services Team. Applications will be accepted until January 27th, 2025. 

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

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. In support of fostering 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.