Colorado Mountain College (CMC), located primarily in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, offers a unique blend of academic and vocational opportunities nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Jobs at Colorado Mountain College attract professionals who thrive in dynamic, outdoor-oriented environments. Whether you're an educator passionate about hands-on learning or an administrator skilled in community-focused operations, CMC provides roles that contribute to student success in higher education's community college sector.
The institution spans multiple campuses across western Colorado, emphasizing programs in sustainable tourism, outdoor leadership, nursing, and culinary arts. This setting influences job openings, prioritizing candidates with expertise in mountain industries and practical teaching experience. Understanding jobs at Colorado Mountain College means appreciating its role as a gateway to careers in rugged, beautiful terrain.
Founded in 1965 as Glenwood Springs Community College, CMC evolved into a multi-campus system serving rural mountain communities. By the 1990s, it expanded to include bachelor's degrees, reflecting growth in response to regional needs like ski industry training and environmental studies. This history shapes hiring, favoring faculty with local ties and innovative teaching methods adapted to small-class environments.
Key milestones include partnerships with ski resorts for Avalanche Science programs and sustainability initiatives funded by federal grants. Today, with over 2,000 employees across 12 locations, CMC's job market reflects its commitment to accessible education in Colorado's high country.
Jobs at Colorado Mountain College fall into faculty, administrative, and support categories. Faculty positions dominate, including full-time instructors, adjunct professors, and program directors. Administrative roles cover student services, HR (human resources), and facilities management, while support jobs include lab technicians and counselors.
Popular openings include nursing instructors requiring clinical experience, outdoor education coordinators with wilderness first responder certifications, and business faculty focusing on entrepreneurship in tourism. For more on university job types, explore common higher ed roles tailored to community colleges like CMC.
To clarify key terms for jobs at Colorado Mountain College:
Jobs at Colorado Mountain College demand qualifications aligned with its teaching-focused mission. Full-time faculty typically need a master's degree minimum; bachelor's-level programs often require a PhD or terminal degree in fields like education or environmental science.
Research focus is applied rather than theoretical—think sustainability studies on alpine ecosystems or workforce analyses for tourism. Preferred experience includes 3-5 years in industry, such as guiding for outdoor ed roles or clinical practice for nursing. Publications in trade journals or grants from Colorado Workforce Development count heavily.
Essential skills and competencies:
Candidates with Avalanche Level 2 certification or chef credentials stand out for specialized roles. Review how to write a winning academic CV to strengthen applications.
The application process for jobs at Colorado Mountain College starts online via their HR portal or aggregators like higher ed jobs boards. Submit a cover letter, resume, transcripts, three references, and a teaching philosophy statement (1-2 pages).
Steps:
Tips: Emphasize student-centered teaching; quantify impacts like "trained 50 nurses annually." Network at Colorado Community College events. Use free resume templates optimized for academia. Applications are reviewed year-round, peaking in spring for fall hires.
CMC prioritizes diversity through its Equity and Inclusion Office, launching the Inclusive Hiring Toolkit in 2020. Initiatives include bias training for search committees, scholarships for underrepresented students, and employee resource groups for Latinx and Indigenous staff.
Recent efforts: 30% increase in diverse hires since 2018 via targeted outreach to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and tribal colleges. The Vail campus hosts annual DEI summits. These align with jobs at CMC, valuing cultural competency in applications.
Work-life balance shines at CMC thanks to its locations amid national forests. Employees access free ski passes at partner resorts, hiking trails from campus, and wellness stipends up to $500/year. Flexible scheduling accommodates family needs, with summer breaks for faculty.
Glenwood Springs campus offers hot springs proximity, fostering community events like faculty picnics. Challenges include winter travel, mitigated by remote work options. Overall, 85% employee satisfaction in work-life surveys reflects perks like tuition remission for dependents and 4-day weeks in some departments.
Campus life blends academics with adventure—think teaching ski mechanics then shredding powder. This attracts jobs seekers valuing lifestyle integration.
CMC jobs offer impact in underserved areas, professional growth via PD (Professional Development) funds ($2,000/year), and competitive salaries averaging $65,000 for faculty. Salaries vary: adjuncts $800/course credit, full-time $55k-$90k based on experience.
Explore community college jobs, employer branding secrets, or professor salaries for context. For openings, check higher ed jobs, university jobs, and higher ed career advice. Post your profile or post a job on AcademicJobs.com.
