Description

The Division of Student Life at West Virginia University is seeking applications for an Outdoor Education Center Program Coordinator (OEPC) for Adventure WV (AWV). This position is responsible for working with the AWV Associate Director and Adventure WV Director to fulfill the mission, values, and goals of the Adventure WV (AWV) program, in support of the Division of Student Life and West Virginia University.  The OEC Program Coordinator assists the Associate Director with the operations and related activities of the Adventure WV Outdoor Education Center (OEC).  Specific areas of emphasis for the OEC Program Coordinator are staff development, programs and administration management.  The OEC Program Coordinator also assists with all other OEC functions as directed by the Associate Director.  The OEC Program Coordinator is a contributing member within the AWV team, working on program priority projects, serving as on-call personnel, and providing supervision and leadership of staff and projects as requested by the AWV Director.

In order to be successful in this position, the ideal candidate will:

Staff Development

• Work with the AD in the recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations of student staff, graduate assistants, and mountaineer temps for the Outdoor Education Center.  Training includes conducting semester and multi-day intensives along with teaching academic classes in the areas of challenge course facilitation, canopy tour operations, and other areas as necessary, with the end goal of staff becoming properly certified practitioners.  
• As directed by the AD and Director, also train student staff for the Adventure WV First Year Trips programs and other programs, with a special emphasis on challenge course skills and facilitation.
• Provide direct supervision to student staff, mentors staff, and ensures staff are properly certified and documented to work at height and in other relevant modalities.  

Programs and Administration Management

• Coordinate all logistical operations, program intake, communication, and program development tasks associated with OEC clients and groups, along with group rentals of the Natural Resources Center and other facilities.  
• Manage, maintain, and control inventory of all equipment used in OEC operations.  
• Ensure all programs are scheduled and staffed in accordance with Adventure WV policy and industry standards.  
• Coordinate program invoicing and payment systems, utilizing designated and approved systems.  

All Functions

• Work with the AD as requested on any and all OEC functions.  Priority projects include development and revision of policy and procedure, program facilitation, goal setting, reporting, budgeting, risk management, equipment control, marketing and recruitment, facility operations and inspection, equipment inventory, public water system management, and outreach to WVU and local entities.  
• Work with the AD and the Adventure WV Director to prioritize retention-based initiatives and other programs that reflect key institutional priorities.  

Adventure WV Team

• Serve as a member of the Adventure WV professional staff team.  They are responsible for contributing to various AWV priority projects and initiatives and is responsible for adhering to relevant AWV and WVU policies at all times.   To effectively serve on the AWV team the OECPC must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of experiential theory and leadership theory.  
• Train leaders across a variety of technical disciplines, have experience facilitating a culture of feedback, and the demonstrated ability to research, write, and develop curriculum of a wide spectrum of audiences.  Some examples of AWV priority projects and sample duties include (but are not limited to): extended program leadership, teaching, grading, and programming associated with FYT credits, Welcome Week programs management, Fall Family Weekend programming, intake and custom program design, van driver training, involvement with WVU Student Life initiatives, and other special projects and duties as they arise.  

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Outdoor Education, Recreation, or other relevant field.
• Three (3) years of experience in each of the following:
  • Professional experience in outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and/or experiential education, preferably within higher education (Graduate Assistantships are included as professional experience).
  • Experience in managing a challenge course, zip-line canopy tour, or aerial adventure park, including grounds and facility maintenance. 
  • Experience in facilitating, teaching, and debriefing.
  • Experience in programmatic risk management.
  • Experience in supervision of student staff.
  • Experience in outdoor equipment maintenance—especially equipment for challenge course and canopy tour.
• Knowledge of industry standards specific to challenge course operation/facilitation, canopy tour operation/facilitation and risk management issues.
• Ability to properly set up and take down all initiatives, low or high.
• Ability to access the condition of challenge course and zip-line elements.  
• Knowledge of proper use and care of challenge course and canopy tour facilities and equipment.
• Experience with facility rentals, group scheduling and managing work schedules.  
• Experience in a diversity of programmatic settings providing outcomes related to recreation, education, skill development, and personal development—with a special emphasis on the higher education setting.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a generalist in support of multiple program areas (I.e. solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and abilities across multiple program areas, outcomes, and disciplines).
• Staff supervisory skills.
• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• Ability to design effective trainings for student staff.
• Knowledge of outdoor orientation programming and programming for students in transition in higher education, both from a practical and theoretical perspective.  
• Knowledge and experience managing challenges course activities and programming.
• Ability to forecast, monitor, and interpret financial reports and budgets.
• Ability to address issues faced by college students and to counsel students.
• Knowledge of proper use and care of many types of outdoor recreation equipment.
• Knowledge of Wilderness First Aid protocols and industry standards.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating, debriefing, counseling, and group dynamics and other essential foundations of outdoor education, experiential education theory, leadership theory, and risk management theory.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and lead in a variety of outdoor settings and disciplines for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a personal computer with knowledge of basic office software.
• Ability to use computer systems for registrations, budgets, etc.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively as a member of a goal-oriented team.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. 
• Experience developing and maintaining professional partnerships with organization and institutions. 

Requirements 

• Wilderness First Responder, or adequate skills, experience, and ability to obtain.
• CPR or adequate skills, experience and ability to obtain. 
• Valid Driver’s License.
• ACCT Manager Level or higher challenge course and canopy tour practitioner certification, or adequate skills, experience, and ability to obtain.
• 1-D Water Operations Certification, or adequate skills, experience, and ability to obtain.
• Preferred—additional technical skill certification (i.e. AMGA, ACA).