The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Rec Sports Department is seeking a dynamic and passionate Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator to join our team. This position will work alongside an existing Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator to co-manage UT Outdoor Pursuits (UTOP), a comprehensive outdoor recreation program serving the UTK community. These programs and services include an Outdoor Center, Bike Shop, Climbing Wall, and an Adventure Trips Program.

Responsibilities

• Provides direction, training, oversight, and scheduling for the Outdoor Center, Climbing Wall, Bike Shop, and Adventure Trip Program.
• Provide consistency in enforcement of all facility & program policy and procedures.
• Coordinate space for program and event use.
• Plan, schedule and document all employee trainings.
• Ensure department, university, and local policies and industry standards are met.
• Teach outdoor education & recreation activities and programming experiences within a university setting. Includes but is not limited to climbing, mountain biking, whitewater paddling (kayak, raft, canoe), flatwater paddling (kayak, SUP, canoe), backpacking, wilderness medicine, etc.
• Develop budget and program fee structure.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: One (1) year of experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Ability to work with diverse constituencies
  • Prioritize multiple
  • Work responsibilities in a time-sensitive situation
  • Work with limited supervision
  • Supervise and delegate work to student staff
  • Exercise good judgment; Handle different situations with confidence and leadership and be flexible
  • Knowledge of supervising and programming recreation facilities and outdoor adventure recreation and education programs
  • Ability to use PC and Mac operating systems and Microsoft office suite
  • Strong skills in verbal and written communication, customer service, and interpersonal relationships.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:  Master’s degree
• Experience: One (1) year of professional experience working with students in a campus recreation program or similar organization of comparable size.
• Experience managing a climbing wall, bike shop, or gear rental operation
• Certifications in ACA, AMGA, PCIA, LNT Master Educator, or Swiftwater Rescue
• Instructional experience in outdoor skills or leadership development
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Experience with When-to-Work and InnoSoft Fusion; Wilderness First Responder.

Work Location

• This position is located in Knoxville, TN.
• This position is in-person with remote work opportunities in the summer and during winter break.

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit before March 13,2025

Information Session

To learn more about the position please join us for an information session on Monday, March 10,2025 at 11am to request a link please complete this form and an email will be sent to you

About UT Outdoor Pursuits (UTOP)
UTOP offers diverse outdoor recreation opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, including:

• A high-level bike shop and bike rental program
• Outdoor adventure gear rentals
• An indoor climbing wall
• Adventure trips and break trips across the country
• Outdoor leadership and skill development programs
• Outdoor skills Physical Education (PE) classes
• First-year student programs during the summer
• A team of 50+ student staff members

Position Responsibilities
The Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator will:

• Oversee and manage core UTOP programs in collaboration with the existing Coordinator
• Supervise, mentor, and develop student staff, including trip leaders, climbing wall staff, bike shop mechanics, and rental center attendants
• Plan, organize, and facilitate adventure trips, break trips, and first-year student programs
• Manage the bike shop, bike rental program, and gear rental operations to ensure proper maintenance and efficient service
• Coordinate outdoor skills PE classes and support curriculum development
• Ensure risk management best practices are implemented across all programs
• Collaborate with campus partners to enhance outdoor programming and promote student engagement
• Assist in program marketing and outreach efforts to increase awareness and participation

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a Top 10 Outdoor College located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering unparalleled access to outdoor adventure. Join a team that values experiential learning, leadership development, and fostering a passion for the outdoors in students.