Outdoor Education Field Instructor

About Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock School is a full-scholarship, year-round boarding school located in Estes Park, Colorado. With an enrollment of up to 72 high school students, our supportive, community-focused environment fosters a transformative learning experience where students can thrive. We implement effective and engaging practices that nurture each student’s unique potential, empowering them to think critically and connect deeply with their education and the world around them. Our school primarily serves adolescents from historically marginalized communities, who have the desire and commitment to excel in academics, leadership, and personal growth. Eagle Rock is also a Professional Development Center, supporting innovative educational practices across the United States. Eagle Rock supports students and educators to become catalysts of change in their lives and communities.

Outdoor Education Field Instructor

Contract Length: 30 days 

Contract Dates: 6/22/25 - 7/21/25 

Course Location: Lost Creek Wilderness, Colorado

Role Overview:

An in-field backpacking instruction role working as part of a team to facilitate a 21-day backcountry experience for high school-aged youth. You will directly support 5-15 teenagers in foundational outdoor living skills and seek to implement our school curriculum while in the field. Main curriculum goals include: social-emotional learning, conflict mediation skills, interpersonal communication, and fostering individual leadership within students. This role reports directly to the Outdoor Education Program Manager.

Wilderness Overview:

All Eagle Rock students begin their school orientation with the transformative power of the wilderness. This backpacking experience is an essential rite of passage to becoming a veteran student and is their first introduction to our school's values. Throughout 21 days in the backcountry, our outdoor instructors will support students' journey as they:

• Build community & relationships with Eagle Rock students and instructors
• Learn wilderness skills - hiking, camping, climbing, cooking, basic hygiene and nutrition 
• Expand their comfort zone, embracing healthy challenges
• Build confidence, resilience, and determination
• Practice responsible decision-making, self & social awareness, conflict resolution, restorative practices, and effective communication skills
• Reflect and make commitments toward the future they want to create

Responsibilities 

• Function as part of an instructor team for a 21-day wilderness backpacking course for 5-12 students newly enrolled at Eagle Rock School
• Participate in a 3-day staff training and 3-day pre-course orientation with students on Eagle Rock’s campus to prepare for the expedition (including food packing, day activities, student support, and other course logistics)
• Familiarize yourself with Eagle Rock School curriculum and course design
• Actively build group dynamics, generate generative conflict resolutions, and reinforce personal growth in young adults
• Aid in driving school vehicles with passengers to and from the course area
• Assess student’s performance throughout the course, providing feedback, coaching, and ongoing support
• Write a comprehensive assessment of overall performance at the end of the course for individual students

Technical Qualifications: 

• Extended trip leadership with youth (18+ day backpacking or other expeditionary courses) experience is preferred
• Applicants must have a current Driver’s License, Wilderness First Responder, & CPR certification
• Highly competent in risk management, leadership, and coaching skills
• Ability to navigate group/interpersonal conflict and teach/coach conflict management skills to high school-aged students

The Successful Candidate Will Possess the Following Attributes:

• A deep commitment to working with high school-aged students
• An ability to effectively engage with individuals who may have been historically excluded from outdoor spaces
• Practice patience in tumultuous situations or adverse situations and willingness to adapt to changing course conditions
• High level of self-awareness and the ability to effectively facilitate challenging conversations
• A commitment to being anti-racist and to promoting social justice 

Implicit in this job is a willingness to commit to both personal and professional growth, specifically aligned with our organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Benefits: 

• $5,000 for the 30-day contract 
• Workers Comp insurance for the duration of the contract 
• Room and board is provided during orientation week, and course wrap-up week 
• We offer up to $300 reimbursement for round-trip travel to Estes Park, CO 

Any questions and or inquiries can be sent to the email provided below. To apply, please send a resume and three professional references (email + phone number) to Eagle Rock School’s Outdoor Education Program Manager, Jordan Cerna at jcerna@eaglerockschool.org 

Eagle Rock is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and does not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination. All employment decisions at Eagle Rock are based on merit and to the principle of equal employment opportunity. In keeping with both the letter and spirit of this policy, Eagle Rock will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels the most qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected characteristic. Therefore members of racial/ethnic minorities and other protected classes are encouraged to apply.