Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) PE Programs is seeking candidates for teaching positions during the school year. Working for PE Programs is a rewarding and challenging job full of opportunities for growth and giving. You are invited to apply online below if you are interested in working with people and developing leadership and teaching skills. Potentially qualified applicants typically have some combination of leadership potential, teaching experience, outdoor experience, and enthusiasm for the position.
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 Semester. (We will start to review applications on October 20, 2025, but the application will REMAIN OPEN until all available positions are filled!)
What is COE looking for when hiring PE instructors?
What we need you to bring to your first year is your personality and interpersonal skills!
Maturity, empathy, good judgment, responsibility, inclusivity
Enthusiasm and experience in the activity
Excitement for teaching others and developing leadership skills
Do I have to take the PE Class first before becoming an instructor?
If you have experience in an activity, you may not need to take a PE Class. If you have never done an activity before then taking the PE class is a great way to build experience to become an instructor!
Do I need to be an outdoor expert? How good of a (rock climber, biker, paddler, skier, backpacker etc.)?
No, you do not need to be an expert, we will train you in all the technical skills needed! We do expect that you will have had some experience in the area(s) that you are applying for. Every course will be taught by an instructor team. As a first-year instructor, you will be placed on a team with others who have taught this course before. You will attend training before teaching your first class that will go over all course skills.
What training do I need to attend to be an instructor?
FAST - Fall All Staff Training. One day in August. NSO 1 - New Staff Orientation 1. Teaching and Feedback fundamentals, 5-hours NSO 2 - New Staff Orientation 2. Risk Management, 5-hours First Aid and CPR Certification
This training/certification is offered for free through Cornell EMS
Course Specific Trainings
Here you will join other staff in your program area to learn and practice teaching the technical skills associated with your course.
Some are required and some are optional, depending on which course you would like to teach.
Is this a paid position?
Yes! Every instructor is paid to teach COE PE courses. The rate depends on your experience and the complexity of the course that you are teaching. Here is a list of our full expectations and benefits.
When will applications be reviewed?
PE Program Instructors are hired in October/November for the following Spring semester and April/May for the following Fall semester.
Can you explain the different parts of COE?
Cornell Outdoor Education is the home to multiple programs. Each program has its own goals and unique application and hiring processes.
PE Programs teach students skills for physical education credit in a class setting. There is a large variety of courses and subjects that COE teaches.
Outdoor Odyssey is an orientation program that helps students acclimate to Cornell and meet new students.
The Team and Leadership Center runs teambuilding programs for a variety of groups on and off campus and a couple of PE courses.
Outfitting manages and distributes equipment for all aspects of COE and rents equipment to the public.
Who can I reach out to for more information?
If you have a specific question about an area that you are applying to, you can find the appropriate Coordinator in this list. We want to hear from you!
PADDLING, SKIING, BIKING: Chris Bode (cb896@cornell.edu)
ROCK CLIMBING, ICE CLIMBING: Andrew McLaughlin (anm67@cornell.edu)
LAND, OUTDOOR ODYSSEY: Chris Leeming (csl45@cornell.edu)
TREE CLIMBING, CAVING: Mark Holton (mh45@cornell.edu)
