Coordinator, Gov Outdoors

This position collaborates in a cross-Divisional and cross-institutional approach to advance operational excellence, student employment development, and risk management for best practices that align with university policies and strategic priorities. The coordinator serves with a student-centered approach that contributes to a caring and safe campus life environment, supporting the holistic success of students through leadership development, professional growth opportunities and high-quality recreational experiences.

Characteristics of a successful candidate:

• Integrity, creativity, and decisiveness.
• Motivation to create an inclusive and safe student experience.
• Ability to serve with agility and manage multiple priorities.
• A commitment to practicing open communication and inspiring trust.
• Desire to collaborate with colleagues.
• A strong commitment to developing students holistically.

Responsibilities include:

Programming

• Responsible for the development, direction, and evaluation of a comprehensive outdoor recreation program that meets the needs of a variety of skills levels, abilities, and identities of the university community.

• Oversee all programs, events, and rentals within the Govs Outdoors program area, including Bouldering Competitions, Challenge Course and Rock Wall group requests, gear rentals, trip planning and facilitation. 

• Enter and update all programs into the recreation management software system for registrations, sales, and reservations.

• In conjunction with the Assistant Director, create, identify, and assess program goals in support of University and Division missions and strategic plans.

• Monitor the industry trends for programming new and inclusive activities, and to inform future decisions.

• Assist with marketing as needed to promote Govs Outdoors

Fiscal and Facility Operations

• In concert with the Assistant Director, oversee the Govs Outdoors budgets, including payroll, program/maintenance expenses, equipment repair and replacement, and tracking revenue.

• Forecast and monitor all wages, staffing, expenses and revenue to prepare future budget requests, including equipment replacement, in concert with the Assistant Director.

• Coordinate facility-use and requests with the University Recreation leadership team.

Personnel and Leadership Development

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop and evaluate Govs Outdoors staff of 5-10 student and non-student/part-time employees, including Govs Outdoors Adventure Leaders and Rock Wall Attendants

• Develop and implement in-services for Govs Outdoors staff following best practices with a strong emphasis on skill-development, transferable work skills, staff empowerment, inclusion and leadership.

• Enforces and communicates university and department policies with employees and patrons.

• Create, identify, and assess student learning outcomes in support of University and Division missions and strategic plans.

• Provide high-quality service within department guidelines in all interactions.

Department and Division

• Collaborate with University Recreation staff to advance the departmental and divisional vision, mission, core values, and strategic plan

• Support the mission of University Recreation, Student Affairs, and APSU through active participation in departmental and campus-wide initiatives, and committees

• Remain competent and current through professional development and participation in professional organizations.

• Collaborate with APSU departments and community partners.

• Prepare timely and accurate reports.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

   

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Demonstrated experience in outdoor recreation programming or operations, including experience with outdoor adventure programs, challenge course facilitation, climbing programs, or leading group outdoor trips.

• Experience supervising, training, or providing leadership to student employees, part-time employees, volunteers, or program participants.

• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification, or ability to obtain certification within a specified period following employment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of safety practices and risk management principles associated with outdoor recreation programs and activities.

• Ability to effectively lead, develop, and work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, programs, and activities.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support Govs Outdoors programs, trips, and departmental or divisional activities.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Successful completion of a background check as required by the University.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Recreation Administration, Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Sport Management, or related field.

• Two or more years of professional or graduate-level experience in collegiate recreation, outdoor recreation, adventure education, or a related setting.

• Experience developing, coordinating, and assessing outdoor recreation programs, including adventure trips, climbing programs, challenge courses, equipment rental, or similar experiential programs.

• Experience recruiting, training, supervising, and developing student employees or part-time staff.

• Experience with outdoor recreation risk management, emergency action planning, incident response, and industry safety practices.

• Experience managing or assisting with program budgets, equipment inventories, purchasing, maintenance, and replacement planning.

• Experience using recreation management, registration, reservation, or point-of-sale software.

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification.

• Wilderness First Aid Instructor certification.

• Climbing Wall Instructor certification or comparable climbing-related certification.

• Experience with paddling and other outdoor adventure activities.

Physical Requirements

-Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.