Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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. 

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 13 to August 27
  • Fall: August 15 to November 3

Facilitators are paid an hourly rate starting at $17.60.

To apply, fill out the application online or send a resume and cover letter to challenge@colorado.edu. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for the summer season, fall season, or both. This position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by April 10, 2024.

Questions? Contact challenge@colorado.edu or Max.Garver@Colorado.edu

Non-student applicants apply here

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 part-time hourly (20 hours/week) seasonal position. Summer season is mid-May through late August. Fall season is mid-August through early November. Applicants are welcome to apply for summer only, fall only or both. 

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, applicants are welcome to apply for summer only, fall only or both. 

  • Summer: May 23 - August 27, 2023
  • Fall: August 15 - November 3, 2023

Managers are paid an hourly rate of $20-$22, depending on experience.

Non-student applicants apply here

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.

Students should use  to confirm open positions and apply.

  • 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 $17.69/hr

Outdoor Pursuits Desk/Climbing Gym Monitor

OP desk staff/climbing gym monitors are frontline customer service for Outdoor Pursuits, operate our equipment rental center, and supervise our climbing gym. Our Outdoor Pursuits staff have opportunities for advancement and specialization as routesetters, climbing instructors, gear specialists, and student coordinators.

This is a part-time position, requiring minimum 5-10 hours/week, including Monday evening meetings and rotating weekend and break shifts.

This position is only open to students. Students should use  to confirm open positions and apply.

  • Provide excellent customer service for Outdoor Pursuits trips, rentals, and climbing gym.
  • Operate point of sale for memberships, sales, rentals, and program registrations.
  • Care for outdoor equipment – clean, maintain, inspect, and repair our rental fleet. 
  • Supervise the climbing gym.
  • Provide climbing gym orientation to new members and administer belay tests.
  • Respond to emergencies including technical assistance and first aid as needed.
  • Complete all required training and skill checks.

  • Must be currently enrolled as a student at University of Colorado.
  • Personal climbing experience, including demonstrated commitment to personal skill development.
  • Customer service experience.
  • Experience with outdoor recreation equipment (common camping, hiking, paddling, and winter sports equipment).
  • First Aid & CPR certification required (or ability to obtain w/in 30 days of hire).
  • Experience with toprope belaying, lead climbing and lead belaying preferred.
  • Ability to complete toprope belay tests w/in 2 weeks of hire and lead belay tests w/in first semester required.

  • New hires begin at the start of the fall, spring, or summer semester, with a minimum 2 semester commitment preferred.
  • Hiring takes place in March for summer or fall start, in July for fall start, and in November for spring start – depending on position vacancies.
  • Employees are required to work a regular weekly schedule of 5-10 hours a week, including Monday evening meetings.
  • Weekend shifts are required and assigned on a rotating basis.
  • Break shifts are required, each employee is required to work one break week only (fall, spring, or one week of winter break).
  • Starting pay for this position is $16/hour.
  • Specialized positions as climbing instructors, gear specialists, and routesetters are developed and promoted from within this team and pay is $16.85/hour.

Trip Leader

We're looking for CU Boulder students to join our incredible team of Trip Leaders.  This position starts at $16.00 per hour with room for pay increases and work-study opportunities. 

CUOP Trip Leaders plan and lead off campus trips and workshops for a variety of outdoor activities and skills with the goal of building community, transferable skills and an appreciation of the outdoors among trip participants. If you are passionate about sharing your love of the outdoors with others, we would love for you to join our team!

This position is only open to students. Students should use  to confirm open positions and apply.

  • Plan and lead hiking backpacking and snowshoeing trips (with opportunities to specialize in other activities including climbing, stand up paddle boarding backcountry skiing and fly fishing.
    • Conduct pre-trip meetings for full day and overnight trips
    • Ensure all safety standards are met and exercise excellent judgment at all times
  • Attend all staff in-services, trainings and Trip Leader skill development days
  • Complete required skills checks
  • All trip leaders are required to attend 2 weekends of New Hire Training in October and Lead Belay training the first week of Spring classes.

    • Fall 2024 Training dates:
      October 12-13 (overnight)
      October 26-27 (8am-5pm)

  • Additionally, new Trip Leaders are expected to complete 10-15 shadow hours (shadowing more experienced trip leaders on trips) before the end of May. 

  • Must be a current student at CU Boulder
  • Evening and weekend availability required
  • Commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment
  • Excellent interpersonal and instruction skills
  • Outstanding organization and time management skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Must hold a valid drivers license and be able to complete required driver and trailer trainings
  • Ability to obtain First Aid/CPR, WFA or WFR certification
  • Must be able to attend all required trainings (see above)
  • Must be available to lead Incoming Student Trips beginning mid August

    • Prior leadership experience
    • Trip/course instructor experience is preferred, but not required
    • Previous experience with multi-day trips, backpacking, snowshoeing, climbing, stand up paddle boarding, backcountry ski/split boarding or fly fishing