What are the responsibilities and job description for the Coordinator, Outdoor Programs position at Inside Higher Ed?
Responsibilities and Duties
Outdoor Adventure Program Management
Qualifications And Skills
Required Qualifications:
Job Posting: May 5, 2026
Outdoor Adventure Program Management
- Administer, supervise and manage the day-to-day operations of the outdoor recreation program with the Assistant Director-Outdoor Adventures, including management of trips and first year pre-orientation wilderness program (Project Explore), equipment and gear rental program, outdoor trip leader training program, and any other outdoor recreation programming for the university community.
- Create, implement and supervise a variety of organized and informal outdoor recreation programs for all students, faculty, staff and alumni based on current and established outdoor recreation trends, principles, guidelines, and risk management principles related to campus recreation outdoor adventure-based programming.
- Plan, administer, assess and promote a comprehensive outdoor trip program that is aligned with nationally recognized industry standards
- Plan and implement leadership development curriculum for Outdoor Trip Leaders and extended, out-of-state, outdoor trips.
- Establish, revise and enforce policies and procedures regarding participation in Outdoor Adventures trip programs including, but not limited to: whitewater and sea kayaking, top rope and lead climbing; bouldering, mountain biking; backpacking, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding
- Coordinate the equipment rental program and manage the storage facility and inventory
- Duties include but are not limited to management of the daily operations of the trips and rental programs and equipment storage facility management, inspections, and inventory, special and collaborative programs and clinics.
- Provide direction and support for the Graduate Assistant- Outdoor Adventures.
- Responsible for student staff recruiting, hiring, training, evaluation and supervision of approximately 10 volunteer outdoor trip leaders, kayak instructors and 5-6 gear rental attendants.
- Develop and coordinate monthly in-service training sessions for student staff.
- Provide budgetary oversight for all outdoor adventures operations: student payroll, operational expenses and programmatic revenue generation
- Manage monthly payroll procedures for all responsible student and non-student staff positions including timesheet approval and monthly reporting
- Monitor all expenses related to procurement card purchases, preventative maintenance and services invoices
- Manage all programmatic fee collection and revenue generation for outdoor recreation programs
- Provide monthly and/or annual budget reports on all program area budgets to departmental Administrative (budget) Associate
- Provide annual budget requests and adhere to allocated funds for each fiscal year
- Work in accordance with Associate Director, Programs & Assessment on overseeing program related assessment procedures associated with departmental learning outcomes and key performance indicators
- Ensure programs are culturally competent, inclusive, and accessible to diverse student populations
- Provide annual assessment data collection and reports to support departmental assessment plan
- Provide information annually and as needed to support departmental annual report
Qualifications And Skills
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean motor vehicle record (MVR)
- One year of full-time professional experience in outdoor recreation related programming (two years of graduate assistant experience will count as one year of professional experience)
- Demonstrated supervisory experience in managing a diverse outdoor recreation program to include trips and/or special programming
- Demonstrated ability performing technical skills and instructing activities associated with outdoor recreation related to: rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, wilderness first aid, experiential education and team building
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate outdoor recreation instructional classes, workshops, clinics, and special events including participant debrief of outdoor excursions.
- Must be able to lift and carry 50lbs for potentially long distances/periods of time
- Ability to operate, move, and inspect outdoor and climbing equipment (kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, backpacks, snowboards, bicycles)
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in Recreation, Sports Management, Leisure Management or related field
- Certification in CPR/AED
- Certification in First Aid Professional Rescue Instructor
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid Certification (WFA)
- Experience using recreation/workforce management software (i.e., Innosoft Fusion, SubitUp or Connect 2)
- Experience working in a collegiate recreation environment
- Demonstrated supervisory experience in managing an outdoor trips or gear rental program, preferably in a campus recreation setting.
Job Posting: May 5, 2026