EMPLOYMENT

Go West is hiring!

COLORADO SPRINGS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Go West Camps – Colorado Springs, CO
Year-Round, Full-Time | Salary Range: $62,500–$72,500 DOE | Benefits included

Go West Camps is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director to lead our Colorado Springs-based summer camps and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. This full-time, year-round position provides strategic oversight and daily operational leadership across three seasonal summer day camp locations and school-year programs at The Colorado Springs School. The Director of Operations is responsible for supervising a team of year-round Program Directors and seasonal Site Directors, ensuring alignment across programs and adherence to Go West’s high standards for safety, quality, and youth development.

Ideal candidates bring at least five years of experience in youth development or camp leadership, including supervisory responsibility, and are energized by working in a mission-driven environment that values outdoor adventure, experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and character development. This position plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with state licensing and ACA accreditation standards, while also advancing innovation in our core program areas art and nature, outdoor adventure, farm and agriculture. The Director of Operations supports collaboration with Go West Farm, leads the integration of ACA initiatives like Character Counts and Youth Outcomes at Camp, and actively ensures that all programming reflects our core values and commitment to building 21st-century skills in youth.

The role requires a self-starter with strong organizational and communication skills who is comfortable leading during both the planning season (September through April) and the high-intensity summer months (May through August). During the off-season, this position manages staff training, onboarding, and program planning. The summer season demands extended hours, a daily on-site presence and emergent problem-solving. Additional responsibilities include managing budgets, logistics, scheduling, transportation systems, vendor relationships, and acting as liaison to school administrators and community partners. A valid driver’s license, current CPR/First Aid/Medication Administration certifications (or willingness to obtain), and eligibility under Colorado Department of Early Childhood licensing requirements are required.

This is a salaried position with a pay range of $62,500–$72,500, commensurate with experience. Go West Camps offers health, dental, and life insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, generous paid time off, and support for professional development, including ACA trainings and certifications.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter with the subject line “Colorado Springs Director of Operations Application” to andrew@gowestcamps.com. Click here for the complete job description.

ARE YOU READY FOR A SUMMER AT CAMP?

Working at Go West isn’t just a summer job…it’s a way of life. It’s an exciting, exhausting, demanding, rewarding opportunity. You’ll experience fun and adventure, but it’s the community of understanding, friendship and encouragement that keeps campers and counselors coming back year after year. Our staff members are truly committed to helping our campers grow, build skills and develop meaningful relationships. We support each other and are dedicated to contributing to a positive environment focused on youth development.

APPLY FOR SUMMER 2025

DO YOU HAVE GREAT SKILLS?

Grew up in 4-H or spent time WWOOFing? Show off your green thumb in our gardening program. Are you musical? Share your singing and instrument playing talents in our music program. Are you a photographer or GoPro wiz? Help us capture inspiring images of our experiences in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado Springs. Love to bike? We use pedal powered transportation, and basic riding and bike maintenance skills are a real plus.

Adventure programs, including stand up paddle board, mountain biking and rock climbing are keystone experiences at Go West. Some of our staff members have a greater level of certification and education in these areas. We are looking for people who have education and certification through nationally and internationally recognized organizations such as Red Cross, American Mountain Guide Association, the American Canoe Association, National Outdoor Leadership School, International Mountain Biking Association and League of American Bicyclists.

Above all, an interest in teaching, leading and working with youth is key for all of our staff members.

THE PERKS OF WORKING AT CAMP

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Get a head start! Thinking about a career in education or outdoor recreation? Get real life experience working at camp and honing your skills.

CERTIFICATIONS
Take it with you when you go! All staff are required to have First Aid and CPR. These certifications can be an asset in your job search after the summer.

BONUS & INCENTIVES We offer several monetary incentives to our staff at Go West Camps with the intent to encourage commitment and motivate ongoing professional growth.

REFERENCES
Boost your resume! We love telling everybody how great our staff is. Camp is the perfect opportunity to create relationships with people who want you to succeed at camp and beyond.

THE OUTDOORS OF COLORADO SPRINGS
Location, location, location! While our focus is on youth development, it doesn’t hurt that we’re surrounded by the scenic Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Not a bad place to play and explore during the summer!

FOR FUN
The opportunities for fun while you are on staff at Go West Camps are boundless. We will hike, climb, mountain bike, standup paddle board, fish, create art and swim, among many, many other great activities.