Working With Cottonwood Institute

At Cottonwood Institute, we strive to provide a supportive environment where all our staff and instructors can learn, grow, and thrive so our students can do the same. Check out our current outdoor education job openings and apply below!

Part-Time Job Openings

Part-Time Field Instructors: We are currently hiring field instructors and bilingual field instructors for a mid-April start date. Check out our job descriptions below and apply by March 21.

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

We aim to have an organizational staff that reflects the communities we work in. Likewise, we know that qualified people who bring unique insights and influences to our team increase our value as an organization. We highly encourage you to apply to our open positions, even if you don’t meet all of the qualifications. You can learn more about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) here. If you need support navigating certifications or have questions about whether your work experience matches a particular requirement, please reach out to Maeve at maeve@cottonwoodinstitute.org.

Compensation & Benefits

We are committed to providing a thrive-able wage for our staff, and we reevaluate our compensation structure regularly. Starting in October 2022, we rolled out a new pay structure for our CAP and Field Instructors, which we hope other nonprofits in our industry will adopt as well. Read more about our compensation here. At this time, instructor hourly pay ranges from $20-$27 per hour depending on experience and certifications.

Important! CI pays for all time directly working with students during field programs, and employees are eligible for overtime at time and a half for more than 12 consecutive hours and for more than 40 hours in a work week.

Other Employment PerksCottonwood admin staff and outdoor education instructors.

  • Access to industry pro deals
  • Free access to CI gear during non-program hours
  • Paid professional development opportunities and ongoing trainings
  • Mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle trips over 50 miles per day
  • Reimbursement for the cost of Wilderness First Aid after 48 hours worked per year for 2 years
  • Eligibility for Sick Leave benefits in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act of Colorado
  • Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation if an instructor is injured while leading a program

Full-time Staff Openings 

We are not currently hiring for any full time staff positions.