The Outdoor Recreation Coordinator is a full-time professional staff position within the Department of Recreational Sports, which falls under the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL). Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Programs, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator will provide leadership, vision, and oversight of a comprehensive outdoor program with five components: trips and workshops, an outdoor recreation living-learning community, outdoor gear rental, the Green Bike program, and a climbing wall.  The Outdoor Coordinator manages the program's daily operations, financial and risk management, policy and procedure development, event planning, and staff training and supervision. 

This position has a salary of $41,020 per year.  It is a 11-month position and carries with it full benefits. 

Job Duties 

 50%: Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Outdoor Connection rental center and indoor climbing facility 

• Directly supervise up to 25 student employees in the following positions including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, advising and evaluating: 

• • Climbing Wall Supervisors
  • Outdoor Connection Representatives
  • Student Coordinators 

• Develop policies that create a culture of safety and personal responsibility. Create, update, and revise employee training, handbooks/manuals and standard operating procedures in accordance with industry best practices and University policy 
• Ensure facilities and equipment are properly inventoried, maintained and inspected in accordance with industry best practices   
• Deliver educational opportunities and unique events to foster a feeling of community among users and employees, as well as outreach to involve the larger community 
• Create and maintain a dynamic team atmosphere that delivers a high and consistent level of customer service
• Coordinate and facilitate student staff meetings
• Development and delivery of marketing strategies in partnership with appropriate entities
• Manage business operations including point of sale transactions, budgeting, capital planning, purchasing, and payroll 

 40%: Responsible for outdoor trip programming and student trip leader development 

• Create, planning, and deliver a wide-ranging calendar of outdoor recreation trips for students 
• Manage program logistics such as budget, equipment, transportation, permitting and staffing 
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of participants, develop and implement risk management strategies, incident response plans and maintain compliance with relevant regulations and policies 
• Plan and facilitate a comprehensive trip leader training and development program  

 10%: Contribute to the department and University  

• Ongoing program evaluation, assessment, and continual improvement 
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and community partners 
• Collaborate with University programs and departments as well as external groups to develop joint programs and services in support of Rec Sport’s mission 
• Assist with the coordination of departmental training and development for student employees
• Assist with annual budget preparation to include budget management, review, and forecasting
• Contribute to the development of the annual report, development of strategic goals, and the assessment of established goals. Regularly prepare activity, attendance, and other reports
• Ensure the department’s philosophy and direction permeates the programs and services of all areas of responsibility
• Keep up to date regarding evolving issues within outdoor recreation. Research and benchmark trends and opportunities for growth
• Assist in special event programming
• Attend University functions of general importance to the student body or the University.
• Serve on departmental, Student Affairs and University committees as needed
• Participate in regional and national outdoor recreation and campus recreation organizations 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• A minimum of one year of professional level experience in outdoor/adventure recreation in a collegiate, government, or commercial/private setting. Two years of graduate assistant experience is considered equivalent to one year of professional experience 
• Two or more years of experience supervising full-time professional, graduate assistant, and/or part-time employees
• Competency in planning and leading high-caliber outdoor recreation trips
• Experience planning and implementing comprehensive trip leader training
• Technical outdoor competency in at least two (2) of the following skill areas: (a) canoeing, (b) kayaking (c) Stand up paddleboarding, (d) rock climbing or (e) mountain biking
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and managing budgets
• Demonstrated experience in developing safety and risk management plans  
• Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Effective written and verbal communication skills 

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in recreation, experiential education or related field
• American Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED certification
• American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification
• Wilderness First Responder certification 
• Other outdoor related certifications 
  • Climbing Wall Association
  • Professional Climbing Instructors Association
  • American Mountain Guide Association 
  • American Canoe Association
  • Professional Mountain Biking Association
  • Wilderness Education Association
  • Leave No Trace
• Experience managing an indoor climbing gym
• Experience managing an outdoor rental center
• Experience repairing and maintaining bicycles 
• An understanding of student development, student life, and university business processes  

About University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW–La Crosse) provides a challenging, dynamic, and diverse learning environment in which the entire university community is fully engaged in supporting student success. Grounded in the liberal arts, UW-La Crosse fosters curiosity and life-long learning through collaboration, innovation, and the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge. Acknowledging and respecting the contributions of all, UW-La Crosse is a regional academic and cultural center that prepares students to take their place in a constantly changing world community. For more than a decade UW-La Crosse has been named one of Kiplinger’s 100 Best Values in Public Universities and has appeared prominently on the U.S. News & World Report list of “America’s Best Colleges” for more than 15 years, and is ranked #4 on its list of the Best Regional Public Universities in the Midwest. With a student population of roughly 10,500, the university offers 91 undergraduate programs, 21 graduate programs, and 2 doctoral programs through the following three colleges, the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Science and... Health, as well as the School of Education. There are over 600 full-time faculty and instructional academic staff, 75 percent of whom hold terminal degrees. UW-La Crosse boasts a retention rate (freshmen returning as sophomores) of 84 percent, graduation rate (degree within six years) of 70 percent, and is among only 12 institutions cited nationally by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for its success in linking campus culture and university leadership to outstanding graduation rates. UW-La Crosse’s strategic plan Sustaining Excellence continues to move our community forward through its four pillars: increasing community engagement, achieving excellence through equity and diversity, investing in our people, and advancing transformational education. More information about the ongoing work of Sustaining Excellence is available at www.uwlax.edu/info/strategic-plan. The UW-La Crosse campus is in southwestern Wisconsin, nestled in a residential area of the City of La Crosse and positioned as part of a larger metro area with a population close to 140,000. The area, known as the 7 Rivers Region, is famous for its exceptional natural beauty which includes the Mississippi River on one side, majestic bluffs on the other, and views of rolling farmland and forested valleys in between. Abundant water, woodlands and varying terrain provide ample opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation. Only a couple of hours from Minneapolis or Madison, La Crosse enjoys the affordability and charm of small town living with larger city benefits. Three colleges, two world-class medical institutions, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, a restored nineteenth century downtown business district, and a number of galleries and art centers have made La Crosse a regional center for culture, entertainment, medical care, shopping, sports and recreation. More information about the La Crosse metro area can be found here: Choose La Crosse. Learn more about UW-La Crosse here: https://www.uwlax.edu/human-resources/services/talent-acquisition-and-employment/finalist-welcome/ AA/EO Statement The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. We strongly encourage women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans to apply. UWL, in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status. DEI Statement UW-La Crosse’s diversity and inclusion efforts are guided by our adherence to Inclusive Excellence. We define Inclusive Excellence as “… our active, intentional and ongoing commitment to bridge differences with understanding and respect so all can thrive." The goals of Inclusive Excellence are to increase the retention of diverse faculty, staff and students while encouraging a campus climate that is inviting and welcoming to all. UW-La Crosse strives to promote acceptance of all facets of diversity from racial/ethnic diversity to diversity of thought and experience. UW-La Crosse ranks 6th nationally among the Top LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges for 2018-19 by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (ACO). Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://www.uwlax.edu/police/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. A pending criminal charge or conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, UWL does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

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