Director of Campus Recreation 

Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Director of Campus Recreation.  The position reports to the Dean of Students and works closely with Western students, faculty and staff. This is an on-campus position. 

Responsibilities: The Director of Campus Recreation is responsible for the leadership of the Department of Campus Recreation through strategic vision, situational leadership and general department management. This position will also be responsible for the supervision of the department's professional staff, including the four (4) Assistant Director of Campus Recreation positions for: Wilderness Pursuits, Mountaineer Field House, Recreational Sports, and Mountain Sports. Additional responsibilities include building management of the Mountaineer Field House (MFH), budgetary/fiscal management, and revenue generation. The Director additionally supports the management of wellbeing initiatives and strategy out of the MFH. Campus Recreation is a part of the Division of Student Affairs, and the Director supports the overall mission of Student Affairs and the University through the creation of new and ongoing initiatives to support student recruitment, engagement, and retention. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in related field or Bachelors Degree with comparable three(3) years of experience. 
• Education in Recreation, Recreation Management, Sports Management, Recreational Facility Management, Outdoor Education and Recreation, Personnel and Leadership or related.
• CPR, AED and First Aid Training or ability to get these certifications within six (6) weeks of starting at Western.
• Budget management, personnel management, well- rounded knowledge of recreational sports, outdoor education, student health/wellness, recreational facilities management. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strategic planning and execution.
• Demonstrated leadership in recreation, fitness, health and wellness.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree and 5+ years in related field. 
• Education in Wellbeing and Wellness initiatives, specifically through the lens of Higher Ed Campus Recreation Departments.
• Active NIRSA and/or AORE participant and member.
• Preferred knowledge and experience in NIRSA and campus recreation best practice. Skills and experiences in Wellbeing and Wellness initiatives, particularly in a Campus Recreation environment.  Demonstrated capabilities in use of Microsoft 365 and Teams. 
• Demonstrated leadership in a campus recreation position, prior experience with overall student health/wellness in a
  higher education setting.

Compensation: The annual base salary range is $58,000 - $63,000. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years. Western has acquired local rental agreements for newly hired employees moving to the Gunnison Valley, which can serve as bridge housing, if available. Upon hire, contact information for housing opportunities will be provided by the Human Resources department. 

Application Procedure: Apply online at www.Western.edu/jobs. Required attachments for online application include: a letter of application addressed to Sara Phillips, Search Committee Chair, along with a resume, and contact information for three (3) references. 

Please direct questions to Sara Phillips, sphillips@western.edu. 

Application deadline is April 30th, 2025 at 11:59PM (MDT).  

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.   

Note: In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte 

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison Valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. In the winter, many residents enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, many delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir and on the Gunnison River and its tributaries, while bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails. PK-12 students are served by the Gunnison Watershed School District, and the Gunnison Valley is home to many local organizations valuing the arts and community-based wrap around services for children and adults.

Visit?http://www.western.edu?to learn more about the university. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

 
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

About Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Connections working at Western Colorado University