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
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
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
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
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