We're Hiring!
Click here to APPLY!
Or, send a resume and cover letter to:
Matt Kager, Challenge Course Coordinator, at mtk74@cornell.edu or teambuilding@cornell.edu
Focus of Training | Dates | Time |
---|---|---|
Spring Staff Training- Mandatory Session | Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 | 6 pm to 9 pm |
Spring Low Elements and Facilitation Training | Saturday, April 26th, 2025 and Sunday, April 27th, 2025 | 9 am to 6 pm (weekend) |
Spring High Element Skills Training | Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 and Sunday, May 4th, 2025 | 9 am to 6 pm (weekend) |
Tower Training (by invitation only) | TBD- May 2025 | TBD |
Rescue Training (by invitation only) | TBD- May 2025 | TBD |
Summer: Staff Training- Mandatory Session | Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 | 6 pm to 9 pm |
Summer: Low Element and Facilitation Training | Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 and Thursday, June 5th, 2025 | 9 am to 6pm (both days required) |
Summer: High Element Skills Training | Friday, June 6th and Saturday, 7th, 2025 | 9 am to 6 pm (both days required) |
Portable Elements Training | TBD- Fall 2025 | TBD |
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Challenge Course/Teambuilding Facilitator​
Want one of the coolest jobs at Cornell University?! Join the Cornell Team and Leadership Center and run group teambuilding events and challenge course programs at the Hoffman Challenge Course.
At the Cornell Team & Leadership Center we facilitate icebreaker games, portable initiatives, low and high ropes course programs and leadership development workshops. Watch this video to see what it's all about!
Multiple positions are open, hours are flexible and there is work all year round, with our busiest season from April to October.
No previous experience on a challenge course is required, just an interest in working with teams and facilitating safe, meaningful and fun outdoor experiences. We offer a variety of professional development opportunities and staff trainings. Check out the schedule above to see the training dates.
Staff training is free to attend (and if you decide to come and work with us, you'll be reimbursed for your training time.) Following the trainings you'll be able to TA programs before becoming a Level 1 Facilitator. The TA process includes three paid sessions where you'll have a chance to observe and practice your facilitation skills and be mentored by an experienced staff member.
Qualifications & Skills
- Experience with rock climbing or ropes course facilitation is preferred but not required
- Excellent personal leadership and communication skills
- Flexible, resourceful, creative
- Team player and a great collaborator
- Able to work independently
- Able to manage large groups of people
- Compassionate
- Energetic and willingness to jump in on tasks
- Interested in personal growth, leadership development and learning
- Able to engage with diverse groups of people of different backgrounds, ages and interests
- Must have reliable and independent means of transportation to get to the ropes course facility which is located in Freeville NY.
- Must be comfortable working outdoors
- Ideal candidates are engaged, focused and attentive
Benefits
- Very flexible work schedule
- Professional development and mentoring opportunities
- Work outdoors
- Discounted enrollment on many COE courses, including First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
- Eligible for FREE Lindseth Climbing Center pass
- FREE and discounted use of many other rental items from COE Outfitting
- Make a difference in the lives of Cornell University Students and the Ithaca Community
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Student Coordinator - Summer/Fall Semester
The CTLC Student Coordinator is a part-time position (10 hours per week when class is in session and up to 20 hours a week during the summer) for a current Cornell University student who desires the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the business/administration side of outdoor education. This position entails significant responsibilities for all aspects of the Cornell Team & Leadership Center operations and services, including sales, client relations, marketing, contract management, scheduling, and staffing. This position may entail occasional weekend and evening responsibilities. This person will co-coordinate with one of our current Student Coordinators for the semester.
Click here to apply via the Workday Student Employment Portal!
Responsibilities
- Sales: Connect with clients, sell programs and answer inquiries about CTLC
- Client relations: Take primary responsibility for maintaining client relationships, specifically student organizations. Responsibilities include returning phone calls and emails promptly, creating group contracts, distributing information sheets for program participants, and following up with evaluation summaries. In general, keeping clients informed and satisfied is the role to be played.
- Administration: Create and manage course folders, which consist of waivers, evaluations, log forms, incident reports, etc.
- Scheduling: Schedule all programs at the Hoffman Challenge Course, Barton Challenge Course, and portable programs on relevant calendars. Schedule vans and any other necessary facilities.
- Staffing: Arrange staffing of student programs through email and phone contacts, generate staff contracts from CTLC database, and track Staff certifications and training.
- Program Assistance: Assist the CTLC Director, Challenge Course Programs Coordinator, and Leadership Programs Coordinator in all aspects of coordination and implementation of CTLC programs, including but not limited to professional programs, facility maintenance, and special projects as needed.
Qualifications
- Strong organizational skills
- Computer proficiency
- Excellent personal leadership and communication skills
- Flexible, energetic, team player
- Working knowledge of the Cornell Team & Leadership Center helpful
- Previous experience in facilitating teambuilding programs helpful
Benefits
- Real, hands-on work experience running all aspects of a growing outdoor program serving 8,000 people per year
- Support, supervision, responsibility and opportunities for professional development
- Make a difference in the lives of Cornell University Students and the Ithaca Community
- Discount on COE classes, rentals, programs, Lindseth Climbing Center passes and more!