The University of Kentucky is an institution of over 31,000 students located in Lexington, KY.  UK’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Department serves students, faculty and staff by providing quality recreation and wellness programs and services that support student success and promote healthy lifestyles.  Facilities include an 87,000 sq. ft. recreation facility, an 8-lane, 50-meter aquatic facility, and various outdoor facilities including, a synthetic turf Competitive Sports Fields.  Alumni Gym, a 29,000 sq. ft. fitness facility within Gatton Student Center  which opened in the Summer of 2018, that includes cardio/weight training equipment, cycling and group fitness studios, a mat room, and plenty of functional training space.

Our programs include intramural sports, club sports, adventure trips, group fitness classes, personal training programs wellness programs, and various special events that promote wellness and encourage positive lifelong fitness habits. The UK Campus Recreation and Wellness Department employs over 300 students, allowing student staff to develop transferable skills and specific recreational job training that will prepare them for future careers.  

All Graduate Assistant Positions require a Bachelor’s degree and acceptance into a recognized program area within the UK Graduate School. All applicants should meet the minimum qualifications (GPA, GRE or GMAT scores, etc.), for their chosen graduate program, which varies among programs.  Graduate Assistants receive a stipend of $650 every two weeks (approx. $13,000) for the academic year, as well as a yearly professional development stipend of up to $1,000 yearly, depending on department budget allocation.  Graduate assistants will also receive a full tuition scholarship based on program selection (note: graduate assistants will be responsible for paying some student fees each semester and are required to remain in good academic standing as they proceed through their academic program).  Graduate Assistants are responsible for an average of 20 work hours per week as they assist with the administration of UK’s total Campus Recreation and Wellness Program.  Additional hourly opportunities are available after first semester and approval by the Graduate School.  All UK Campus Recreation and Wellness facilities use Fusion software for member admittance, and When to Work software for employee scheduling.

Please note the Following:

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to protect our university community including our students, staff, faculty and visitors, the University of Kentucky is requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all new hires prior to starting employment. Therefore, as of October 18, 2021, all new hires prior to their first day of employment must submit appropriate documentation showing, i) completion of the first vaccination against COVID-19, or ii) completion of the full vaccination series against COVID-19, or iii) approved exemption (medical contraindications or a sincerely held religious belief) through the formal exemption process from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. For those employees who have completed the first vaccination against COVID-19 prior to their first day of employment, the second vaccination (if applicable) must be completed following the vaccination recommended schedule to be considered fully vaccinated. 

The following is a list of anticipated Graduate Assistant positions open for August 2022.

Applying to any UK Campus Recreation and Wellness Graduate Assistant position requires the following documentation to be sent via email to the respective program area point of contact.  Applications sent via Bluefish Jobs will not be accepted. 

1. Cover Letter & Resume
2. References
3. Current GPA
4. GRE Scores or GMAT (if required by your selected program of study)
5. UK Graduate School Program you wish to study, and the application deadline for that program

Area Application Deadlines:

Aquatics: 1/23/2022

Club Sports: Interviews scheduled as applications are received

Facilities: 1/23/2022

Intramurals: 1/23/2022

AQUATICS - 1 POSITION (Application Deadline 1/23/2022)

Candidates will gain experience managing Kentucky’s premier aquatic facility, the Lancaster Aquatic Center.  Required night and weekend work hours apply, along with recruiting, hiring, training and supervising student aquatic staff. Assist the Aquatics Director, and Facility Manager, organize events for UK and private organizations.  Ensure facility management operations when professional staff is unavailable.  Familiarity with When to Work online scheduling software, Fusion Software, Google Docs, Microsoft Office and iPad usage is a plus! Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, CPR-AED are required. Other preferred certifications, LGI, WSI, LGIT, WSIT.  

Pool Facility Manager: Kyle Jonas, kyle.jonas@uky.edu

CLUB SPORTS - 1 POSITION (No Deadline, Interviews scheduled as applications are received)

 Club Sport emphasis includes outreach to 50 club sports, offering advising assistance, and compliance tracking with university guidelines and risk management requirements. Position duties also included supervising the Competitive Sport Field, Pieratt Recreation Field, and up to 15 field staff; recruiting, interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, and supervising student staff; assisting with the development of facility policies and procedures; conducting risk management checks and audits; and completing other job specific duties. Some weeknights and some weekends required. Experience in university recreation center supervision preferred. Familiarity with Campus Labs, When to Work online scheduling software, Google Docs, and iPad usage is preferred, but not required.

 Club Sports Director: Mark Lattin, mjlattin@uky.edu

FACILITIES - 1 POSITION (Application Deadline- 1/23/2022)

Facilities emphasis includes supervising all recreation facilities, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, and supervising student staff; assisting with the development of facility policies and procedures; conducting risk management checks and audits; and completing other job specific duties. Experience in university recreation center supervision required. Familiarity with When to Work online scheduling software, Fusion Software, Google Docs, and iPad usage is preferred, but not required. Facility Graduate Assistants will have office hours during weekday business hours as well as being on-call on some nights and weekends.

Assistant Facilities Director: Courtney Gill, cm.gill@uky.edu

INTRAMURALS - 1 POSITION (Application Deadline 1/23/2022)

 Seeking candidates with experience in program and personnel management with an emphasis on customer service, development, leadership, and training.  Gain experience in administration and organization of events and sports for more than 9,000 participants by managing the day-to-day operations of an Intramural Sports Program.  Responsibilities include developing, facilitating and assessing a comprehensive personnel development and leadership program; assisting with development of policies and risk management; programming events and sports; managing student payroll process and policies; marketing events; maintaining social media sites; technology management (iPads, video organization and distribution and web-based assessment); on-site supervision and facility management; serve as advisor for Intramural Student Ejection Board; participate in professional development opportunities. 

Preferred experience with sports officiating, hiring/training/managing a diverse student staff, working with diverse populations, online scheduling management websites, Greek organizations and extramural tournaments.  Candidates who are passionate, highly adaptable, detail oriented, and strong skills in communication (written and verbal), conflict management/resolution, and problem-solving will be considered.

Intramurals Director: Natosha Harris, neharris1@uky.edu

All Graduate Assistant Positions require a Bachelor’s degree and acceptance into a recognized program area within the UK Graduate School. All applicants should meet the minimum qualifications (GPA, GRE or GMAT scores, etc.), for their chosen graduate program, which varies among programs.