EMPLOYMENT

JOIN OUR TEAM

Telluride Academy staff members are the heart and soul of our organization! They are the creative engines behind every interaction, experience and outcome we strive to achieve with our students. They are educators, guides, adventurers of the highest order, and the architects of Telluride Academy’s highly reputable outdoor and enrichment programs. Our team of instructors, specialists and interns represent a diverse collection of passionate individuals that come together to contribute to a high-energy and dynamic youth program that explores the southwest and beyond. Our success relies on collaboration, problem-solving and a ton of enthusiasm! We believe in working hard and playing harder and that a good day on the job is filled with equal parts discovery and dirt. If you are an expert at finding the perfect balance between silliness and safety, free play and focused instruction, then we would love to meet you!

CURRENT OPENINGS

Field Instructor (Full-Time, Summer Seasonal)

Telluride Academy is now hiring summer Field Instructors. Strong candidates must possess sound and responsible decision making skills, have previous experience working with groups of children, as well as strong organizational skills to handle weekly student field reports, program logistics, instructor evaluations and activity budgets. Successful applicants are flexible, motivated individuals that have an affinity for creativity and spending significant time outside! Instructor responsibilities include ensuring a safe, engaging and educational experience for groups of students ranging in ages from 5-17.  The majority of Academy programs occur in the Telluride region of the San Juan Mountains and the deserts of the Southwest. During a typical two-week Telluride Academy program, two co-instructors (male and female) will share responsibility for a maximum of 13 students. Programs typically run from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday with overnight campouts each Wednesday.  First year Academy instructors will typically run programs that cater towards our younger participants and will visit locations that are located within the Telluride region.  However, we try to create an experience for all of our staff that involves interactions with a range of ages and activities. Types of activities that instructors may facilitate include; field games, overnight camping, day hiking, ecological exploration, mountain biking, swimming, inflatable kayaking, SUPing, outdoor cooking, arts and crafts, rock climbing and backpacking. Additionally, all staff are expected to practice and teach environmental stewardship principles as well as leadership and teambuilding initiatives to groups of students. Within the structure of established itineraries and program descriptions, Academy instructors are given the freedom and flexibility to shape, plan and implement daily programming – a unique and successful key to the Academy’s long-standing success. Potential instructors must pass a criminal background check, as well as a safe driving check and be available for our annual pre-season staff training held in late May each summer. Please visit www.tellurideacademy.org for more information about our programs.

Qualifications
• Organized, dependable and professional
• Knowledge and enthusiasm for outdoor/experiential education
• Significant prior experience working with youth
• Ability to be present and “cell phone” free while at work
• Current WFA and CPR certification (or ability to obtain with the Academy or independently)
• Must pass a criminal and driving background check 
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Compensation
• First year instructors typically earn $750 – $900 per week depending on camp assignments

Early Childhood Instructor (Full-Time, Summer Seasonal)

Telluride Academy is looking for creative and energetic individuals to instruct our early childhood programs. These programs are designed for our youngest participants and provide great employment opportunities for individuals interested in early childhood development. Students will range from 5 to 8 years old. Each program is designed for different skill levels and interests and provide a great introduction to the rivers, lakes, mesas and mountains of the Telluride region.  Activities may include rock climbing, inflatable kayaking, SUPing, arts and crafts, hiking, field games and camp-outs. Instructor responsibilities include ensuring a safe, engaging and educational experience for groups of young students in and around the Telluride region and San Juan Mountains. Additionally, all staff in this position must use positive behavior reinforcement and developmentally appropriate guidance techniques to encourage a positive environment. Staff must possess strong organizational skills to handle weekly student field reports, program logistics, instructor evaluations and activity budgets.  A high level of patience, motivation and creativity is required for this position! During a typical two-week program, two co-instructors will share responsibility for a maximum of 13 students. Programs typically run from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with some programs including Wednesday night camp-outs. Within the structure of established itineraries, Academy instructors are given the flexibility to shape daily programming – a unique and successful key to the Academy’s long-standing success.

Qualifications
• Organized, dependable and professional
•  Knowledge and enthusiasm for outdoor/ experiential education
•  Significant prior experience working with youth
•  Ability to be present and “cell phone” free while at work
•  Current WFA and CPR certification (or ability to obtain with Academy or independently)
•  Must pass a criminal and driving background check 
•  Must be at least 21 years of age

Compensation
• First year instructors typically earn $750 – $900 per week depending on camp assignments

Art Specialist (Full-Time, Summer Seasonal)

Telluride Academy is now hiring a summer Art Specialist. Strong candidates must possess sound and responsible decision making skills, have previous experience working with groups of children, as well as strong organizational skills to handle weekly projects, logistics and budgets. Successful applicants are flexible, motivated individuals that have an affinity for creativity and instilling a passion for the arts in our students! Responsibilities include ensuring a safe, engaging and educational experience for groups of students ranging in ages from 5-14. The Art Specialist begins working with Telluride Academy in late May. Pre-summer work includes taking inventory of art supplies, setting up the art room and planning an all-staff art activity for Academy staff training. During the summer, the Art Specialist is responsible for planning themed art projects for as many as three groups of students per day. Your responsibilities include managing an art budget, stocking and maintaining inventory of art supplies, planning projects that are creative and budget-friendly, communicating with instructors to ensure art projects are appropriately themed, facilitating projects for groups of students and maintaining cleanliness and organization of the art room. During the summer, art programs generally run from10am – 4pm Monday-Thursday, while Fridays can be used for planning and preparation. 

Qualifications
• Organized, dependable and professional
•  Knowledge and enthusiasm for art education
•  Significant prior experience working with youth
•  Ability to be present and “cell phone” free while at work
•  Must pass a criminal and driving background check 

Compensation
• $18.75 – $21.40 per hour DOQ

Climbing Program Lead (Full-Time, Summer Seasonal)

Telluride Academy’s Climbing Program Lead is responsible for facilitating a safe and educational climbing program for Academy students. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

– Working with the Program Director to train Field Instructors and appropriate assistant climbing staff.
– Creating an organizational climbing curriculum and criteria that will be taught to all Academy instructors during the Academy’s annual staff training.
– Becoming familiar with ALL Academy climbing locations and acting as a point of contact for site managers and Academy Field Instructors when applicable.
– Overseeing all top-rope climbing experiences and acquiring and managing the appropriate additional staff to safely facilitate such activities.
– Facilitating the Academy’s indoor climbing gym and bouldering sessions, if desired, when it does not conflict with top-rope climbing sessions.
– Coordinating with specific programs and program staff to facilitate and schedule daily climbing activities and logistics. The Climbing Director will work with the Program Director to create a climbing schedule that accommodates all upcoming programs. Once programming has begun, the CD will facilitate, instruct and participate with Academy students in a variety of climbing workshops.
– Carrying (at all times) the Academy’s land use permits and being the primary steward of the permits, including submitting timely and accurate usage logs for post-use reporting.
– Managing trip/weekly budgets set by the Finance Director and a company credit card.
– Maintaining climbing gear inventory as well as working with the Program Director to order new and improved gear when needed.
– Collaborating with the Program Director to revise Telluride Academy’s Climbing Policies and Procedures as needed. This is to include emergency procedures and site-specific resources as they pertain to an emergency.
– Maintaining an accurate record and submitting a physical copy of all Academy expenses and receipts at the end of every climbing trip or the end of the session.
– Ensuring adequate climbing gear inventory, equipment check-in and storage occurs at the end of the Academy’s programming week and the summer season.
– Maintaining accurate records and submitting copies of incident reports and “near misses” while participating in the debrief process.

Qualifications:

  • Must have a current (or willingness to obtain) AMGA Single Pitch Instructor certification.
  • Must have WFA certification (or WFR) and CPR/AED.
  • Technical Resume listing rock sections/grade, lead type and roles.
  • Must pass a Federal Background Check
  • Must display a clean driving record
  • Must be at least 21 years of age 


Compensation
• $22.50 – $25.50 per hour DOQ

Intern (Full or Part- Time, Summer Seasonal)

Telluride Academy Interns play a vital role in the success of our summer programs. Interns may participate in our annual staff training in June with our entire Field Staff. Interns will then spend the summer season working in a variety of different arenas that make up the Academy’s day to day operations. These are, but are not limited to:

1. Assisting our Field Instructors on daily and overnight adventures in such activities as hiking, rock climbing, paddleboarding, field experiments, art projects and overnight campouts.

2. Coordinating parent drop-off/pick-up, student check-in and camp store.

3. Office administration duties such as on-line registrations, answering phone calls, data entry and uploading program photos.

4. Gear administration and repair, vehicle logs, patrolling parent parking during student drop off and pickup and handling program shuttles.

5. Working with the administrative team to plan and implement summer fundraising events and parties. The Telluride Academy provides a fun, casual, creative and engaging work environment.

Our staff are expected to be professional and outgoing communicators that can be proactive in general problem solving and work well in a team. Interns should be comfortable working with a variety of aged youth in numerous non-traditional environments as well as familiar with general computer programs. Interested applicants must be  18 yrs or older and are mature self-starters that display initiative and drive and have an appreciation for creating fun and positive experiences for others. *Must be 18 years old

Qualifications
•  Organized, dependable and professional
•  Knowledge and enthusiasm for outdoor/experiential education
•  Ability to be present and “cell phone” free while at work
•  Must be at least 18 years of age 

Compensation
• $14.50 – $15.50 per hour DOQ

After-School Climbing Instructor (Part-Time Seasonal)

Telluride Academy’s After-School Program Instructors are responsible for overseeing a safe and educational After-School Program for Academy students. The After-School Program Instructors will work with the Program Manager to provide immersive and meaningful instruction to students for each after-school session. Instructor responsibilities will include facilitating skills-based curriculum and ensuring a safe, engaging and educational experience for students. Additionally, all staff are expected to practice and teach environmental stewardship principles as well as leadership and team building initiatives to groups of students. After-School Program Instructors will familiarize themselves with after-school climbing program offerings and associated locations.

Additional responsibilities
Maintaining the Academy’s climbing equipment and space, creating unique programming opportunities and assisting the Program Manager with gear inventory, safety check/recertification procedures.

Qualifications Include
• Display a strong sense of organizational best practices and protocols
• A current WFA and CPR/AED
• Annually Pass a Federal Background Check and Display a clean driving record necessary to transport students to outdoor climbing sites
• Experience climbing and belaying
• Strong organizational skills, interpersonal skills and risk assessment
• Must be 18 years of age

Compensation

• $20 per hour DOQ