Coordinator for Outdoor Programs

University Recreation 

Appalachian State University invites interested applicants for the position of Coordinator for Outdoor Programs to become a part of the University Recreation (UREC) team as we facilitate an inclusive environment where recreation and wellness opportunities transform, engage, and care for the App State community. 

This position is primarily responsible for working with the Assistant Director in the overall administration, fiscal management, implementation, supervision, and vision of the Team Building and Challenge Course Program at Broadstone and the Outing Center at the Student Recreation Center. This position also includes responsibilities to closely collaborate with all the operations of the Outdoor Program including the Indoor Climbing Wall, Adventure Trips, and Bike App areas. The Coordinator directly reports to the Assistant Director for Outdoor Programs.

You will succeed in this position if you:

• Are an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Are a visionary and a strategic professional who can transform a unique facility 

• Are a self-starter and can rebuild our Team Building and Challenge Course Program

• Strongly believe in the benefits of experiential and adventure based learning activities.

• Take ownership in building a positive, inclusive and engaged work culture

• Enjoy building collaborative relationships 

• Are committed to enhancing students’ career readiness and leadership skills.

• Embrace and inspire a vibrant, active, and healthy community.

• Are available to work in a flexible schedule that requires some evenings, weekends, and designated holidays.

Who we are

At the Outdoor Program, we believe we are educators who develop and positively impact students using experience as our textbook and the Outdoors as our classroom. We excel in building connections through experiential and adventure-based activities. At University Recreation (UREC) we believe in an equitable University Recreation community with opportunities for everyone, with everyone. Learn more about UREC at this link

Appalachian State University is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of members of historically underrepresented groups.

You will have the opportunity to

Program Operations

• Administrate and coordinate the daily programs and operations of the Teambuilding and Challenge Course programs which include a Group Interaction Course, Team Development Course, High Ropes Course, and Alpine Tower at our 35-acre outdoor education center, Broadstone.Relaunch a new Teambuilding Program

• Administrate and coordinate the daily operations of the Broadstone facility rentals including day use, overnight, and program use.

• Administrate and coordinate the daily operations of the Outing Center, which includes our rental equipment.

• Actively collaborate with the Outdoor Program Leadership team to the supervision, trainings, and operations of other program areas (Climbing Wall, Trips, and Bike App)

• Develop, implement, and evaluate program policies.

• Design and implement custom programs by building new and maintaining existing strategic partnerships with other offices and departments across campus.

• Coordinate the maintenance and purchase of program equipment.

• Develop and implement program assessment strategies and tools to assess students’ needs and interests, representation, participant satisfaction and program impact.

• Keep proficiency with University Recreation software applications including, but not limited to, Fusion, TimeClock Plus, and When2Work.

• Under the guidance of UREC Communication team, design and implement program outreach and communication strategies.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Mentor students to develop and utilize skills to work with diverse student populations.

• Hold self, students, and staff members accountable to departmental expectations of creating an inclusive environment at UREC facilities.

• Promote inclusive ways to advocate for the needs of all students.

• Maintain sensitivity to different perspectives and identities.

• Challenge cultural norms to explore change.

• Provide programming direction and resources to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusive students’ experiences.

Student Development

• Recruit, retain, and mentor a diverse crew of 20-30 Outdoor Programs student staff that represent the App State community.

• Design, coordinate, and lead training opportunities that focus on the growth and development of student self-awareness, group dynamics, leadership, outdoor experiential learning skills, and employability skill sets.

• Actively engage in reflection of personal identity and how it influences work with students and colleagues, which includes professional development opportunities.

• Teach CPR, AED, and First Aid classes for University Recreation Student Staff and App State community participants.

• Develop and coordinate staff appreciation initiatives in order to retain student employees and build a sense of belonging within the team.

Fiscal Management

• Budget, track, and reconcile all expenses related to the Team Building and Challenge Course, Broadstone, and Outing Center areas on a monthly basis.

• Assist in the annual budgeting process for Outdoor Programs. This includes developing, forecasting, and reporting on revenues and expenses related to Team Building and Challenge Course, Broadstone, and Outing Center. Total budgetary oversight is $250,300 within a $613,000 Outdoor Program budget.

• Approve daily payroll for Outdoor Programs student employees and monitor reported time.

Risk Management

• Provide oversight for risk management related to Outdoor Programs Team Building and Challenge Course programs, Broadstone facility use, and Outing Center rentals.

• Monitor outdoor program industry trends and recommend modifications to risk management policies and procedures.

• Ensure continuity in departmental and university business practices across all areas of Outdoor Programs including managing student employee certifications, compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations, App State vehicle driving certifications, and payment card industry standards.

• Ensure regular inspection and upkeep of the Team Building and Challenge Course facilities.

Facility and Equipment Management 

• Develop and implement effective and fiscally prudent procedures for the issuance, maintenance, and purchase of program equipment for Team Building and Challenge Course, Broadstone, and Outing Center.

• Revise, enhance, and maintain the current employee manual and operational procedures for the Team Building and Challenge Course, Broadstone, and Outing Center.

• Maintain an accurate, up-to-date inventory of all Team Building/Challenge Course and Outing Center equipment, manage equipment according to professional standards, and create a plan for replacing gear on a timely basis.

Departmental Leadership and Support

• Establish effective and positive rapport with program staff, university personnel, students, and University Recreation users.

• In conjunction with the University Recreation (UREC) Pro-Staff, participate, lead, and/or coordinate departmental initiatives including Fall Training, Fall and Spring Hiring Sessions, etc.

• Develop, coordinate, and lead professional staff development workshops and team-building events for University Recreation on a quarterly basis.

• Provide departmental and divisional support by participating in various hiring committees and Student Affairs events and initiatives.  

• Participate in UREC Committees, Work Teams, and other areas within the department to advance departmental strategic goals and objectives.

• Continue professional development by involvement in professional organizations and participating in regular continuing education.

At a minimum you should have

• A bachelor’s degree.

• Demonstrated competency of active involvement working on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

• Two-Hundred (200) hours of demonstrated field experience facilitating team-building programs in a challenge course setting (high and low elements).

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in outdoor equipment usage and maintenance.

The preferred candidate will have

• A master’s degree in a related area

• One-hundred (100) total days in the field (including personal days) with thirty-five to forty (35-40) of those being professional trip leading expedition experience varying from one to eight (1 to 8) days in extension.

• Experience providing student outdoor leadership development opportunities in a college recreation setting.

• Current Wilderness First Responder Certification

• Challenge Course Facilitator Level I, Level II, and/or Challenge Course Manager (ACCT).

• One (1) year of administrative/coordinative professional experience working in a leadership capacity in outdoor recreation with an emphasis on staff development, fiscal management, and program implementation. A completed two-year Graduate Assistantship will be counted as one year of professional experience.

Salary and benefits 

$40,000 plus an excellent benefits package is available for eligible employees, for more information visit: https://hr.appstate.edu/hr-services/benefits 

How to apply

ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY HUMAN RESOURCES WEBSITE. https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/32402

For full consideration, applicants must submit all the required documents which should clearly demonstrate how the applicant meets the requirements of the position.

1. Cover letter, which summarizes qualifications and expresses interest in the position.

2. Current resume which includes dates of employment. Additionally, you may include a trip/experience log or portfolio if you wish.

3. Answers to supplemental questions (on the on-line application)

4. Name and contact information of at least three professional references.

Deadline to submit applications is March 22, 2022.

For questions about the position, please contact Valerie Kankiewicz, Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs at [email protected].

This position is anticipated to start June 2022.

About the University: As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu/about/

About Boone: Boone is a college town in the best sense — a place where people say hello on the street and a vibrant downtown is just a block from campus. Its eclectic hub, known as King Street, features specialty shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round for hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, cycling, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing and other activities. Learn more at this link

Appalachian State University is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of members of historically underrepresented groups.