The Campus Recreation mission is to enhance the quality of life of our unique members by educating and encouraging active participation in recreational opportunities that develop leadership skills, foster social interaction, and reinforce healthy behaviors.
The Adventure Program is comprised of 4 main areas: Outdoor Trips, Outdoor Equipment Rentals, Indoor Climbing, and Team Building. The Adventure program operates 14 – 20 outdoor trips to ISU students each year that range in duration from 5 hours to 8 days in length. Trip activities include: hiking, camping, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, outdoor climbing, and backpacking. The Adventure Program offers equipment rental to the ISU community at reasonable prices from sleeping bags to kayaks and everything in-between. The Team Building Program works with groups to develop skills in leadership, problem solving, decision making, communication, and more. A new High Ropes Course was just completed to expand the current programs. The Indoor Climbing Wall offers instructional and recreational climbing of the 47-foot high wall and 15-foot bouldering cave. Working under the Coordinator of Adventure Programs, the Adventure Graduate Assistant will play a significant role in the overall organization and administration of a comprehensive Adventure Program, focusing primarily on the Team Building Program. Questions concerning this position may be directed to Rachel Iversen, Assistant Director of Adventure, riverse@ilstu.edu, (309) 438-8427.
The Graduate Assistant will assist the Team Building Coordinator in the overall administration of the Team Building program and assist in all other areas as needed. Specific duties include:
Design, facilitate, and evaluate trainings, meetings, and programs.
Facilitate low ropes, portable, and high ropes programs.
Supervise and coach student team members in their roles as facilitators.
Schedule student team members for upcoming programs.
Assist with data entry & documentation specific to team building programs.
Assist with hiring, supervision, training, and evaluation of student team members.
Assist in the daily operation of the High Ropes Course, Low Ropes Course, and Rappel Tower.
Assist with inventory, inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of team building equipment.
Develop and implement program policies, procedures, and risk management plans.
Maintain participant statistics and program cost analyses.
Develop civic engagement activities that address leadership development, diversity, and community responsibility.
Assist in adventure trips, climbing wall, and adventure center as-needed.
Graduate Assistant schedule may include nights and weekends.
Collaborate with other Campus Recreation team members and assist with department events as needed.
Serve as an instructor for American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid classes for Campus Recreation team members.
Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by the department.
To be considered for a graduate assistantship, a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work is required. GRE may be required for some programs.
Must apply and be admitted to the School of Kinesiology and Recreation (KNR). Learn more about the KNR application process at http://kinrec.illinoisstate.edu/graduate/.
All candidates should have an interest in recreation as a career, and pursue a graduate degree within the School of Kinesiology and Recreation.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Physical Education or related field preferred.
Previous involvement with trip leading, rental center operations, climbing wall operations, and/or challenge course facilitation is preferred.
Personal or professional experience in a variety of outdoor recreation activities such as: hiking, canoeing, kayaking, outdoor climbing, stand – up paddle boarding, camping, backpacking, orienteering, skiing, etc. is preferred.
National certification or equivalent in one or more of the following: ACCT Level 1 facilitator, ACCT Level 2 facilitator, ACCT Challenge Course Manager, ACA Level 1 Instructor in Kayak Touring, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, or Canoeing; PCIA Top Rope Climbing Instructor, or WMA Wilderness First Responder.
Possess and maintain a current Wilderness First Aid certification or willingness to obtain within first year of employment is required.
Valid Driver's License and/or ability to obtain valid Driver's License is required.
Possess and maintain a current American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain.
Possess and maintain a current American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor Certification or willingness to obtain.
Strong interpersonal, leadership and communication skills, both verbal and written, are expected.
This position requires someone who is willing to work in a team environment and provide and uphold our quality standards and values.
About Illinois State University
Illinois State University:Illinois State University, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. Illinois State is a coeducational, residential university that emphasizes undergraduate study with almost 21,000 students. Its 34 academic departments in 6 colleges offer 63 undergraduate programs in more than 160 fields of study. The Graduate School coordinates 38 masters, 2 specialist and 7 doctorial programs. Illinois State University (www.IllinoisState.edu) is committed to fostering a small-college atmosphere with large-university opportunities and promoting the highest academic standards in teaching, scholarship, and community service. Bloomington-Normal Community:Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a population of approximately 125,000 and conveniently located approximately two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis. The community is home to GROWMARK, Illinois Farm Bureau, State Farm Insurance International Headquarters, Illinois Wesleyan University, Lincoln College, and Heartland Community College. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and educational attainment,... parks and recreation, health care, job growth, economic opportunity, and low crime. Forbes magazine, in a review of the best places for business, ranked Bloomington-Normal the 15th best place for business out of 168 small metros listed. Bloomington was also recently placed on CNNMoney's list of the 100 Best Places to Live. Expansion Management Magazine rated Bloomington-Normal as one of two metro areas with a five-star quality of life, giving the community high rankings in such areas as standard of living, quality of schools, traffic and commute. Please visit the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.bloomingtonnormalcvb.org for more information.
