Resident Course Director

Department: Program

Reports To: Program Director

FLSA Status: Seasonal, Exempt

Location : Table Rock (TR) Jonas Ridge, NC; Cedar Rock (CR) Brevard, NC

Supervision : Instructors

Anticipated Start Date: March – TR, April - CR

Last Updated : September 2025

Organizational Summary:

Since 1967, North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) has delivered challenging wilderness adventures that teach more than outdoor skills. Our wilderness courses, from the mountains of North Carolina to the shores of south Florida to the peaks of South America, deliver on our mission "to change lives through challenge and discovery."

Essential Functions:

• Course Director and/or Instructor role as scheduled.

• Collaborate with the Program Director (PD) to ensure a safe and thriving basecamp community .

• Assist PD in Staff Promotions and Development plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Collaboration

• Participate and support the NCOBS emergency response plan.  

• Provide on- call coverage and manage basecamp emergency response as scheduled by PD and/or APD.

• Provide administrative support to PD and/or APD and other senior level staff as needed.

• Provide leadership and support to assigned point people. Oversee annual goals, professional development, and evaluations.  Collaborate with PD to address performance concerns .

• Serve as a member of the Pr omotions , Staffing & Staff Development Committee.

Program Support :

• Ensure all programs adhere to the OBUSA and NCOBS safety policies and procedures as well as Local Operating Procedures and administrative directives.

• Assist PD and/or APD in completion of program administrative tasks .

• Responsible for the completion of course director tasks .
• Work in various field / program positions. Attend applicable internal training(s) to meet standards.

Working Conditions :

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds .

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit .

• The employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell .

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to running, swimming, climbing, backpacking, and paddling.

• Primarily based at a basecamp. This is a remote, community living setting where electricity, heat, and power can be interrupted. USFS (United States Forest Service) gravel road accessible for NC mountain bases. Boat accessible for FL base.

• Extended periods working and living at NCOBS wilderness base camps and/or in the wilderness during programs.  

• Irregular hours and weekend work are expected. 

Qualifications :

• Personal and professional values consistent with the NCOBS mission, values, and principles.

• Wilderness First Responder, and C PR.

• Valid driver's license, greater than 5 years.

• Experience with community living.

• Minimum of three years' experience working Outward Bound or related programs.

• An outstanding record as an instructor, trainer, course director, community member, and/or administrator.

• Proven communicator in oral and written platforms. Ability to speak clearly and is comfortable with presenting to groups .

• Strong safety management experience. 

• Experience with access, belonging, and community work.

• Effective leadership, supervisory, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong personal initiative, motivation, and resourcefulness.

• Proficient in Office 365 (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Salesforce or other client relationship management (CRM), and video conferencing .

Compensation and Benefits :

• Per diem rate is $185/day

• Robust seasonal benefits available.

• Pro-purchase deals with outdoor-industry gear retailers.

• Room and board during agreement.

North Carolina Outward Bound School prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable local, state or federal law. NCOBS promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression.