ROARRR!! We roar with pride because we are in the business of transforming lives, and we are looking for you to help advance our mission of connecting, educating, and inspiring people to lifelong activity and wellbeing.

Let us share with you why you should become a Lion at East Texas A&M.

• We are about to embark on the design phase of a $17 million expansion and renovation project set for completion in You will have impact on areas relating to facility operations as well as over aspects of the project.

• Assist in overseeing our climbing wall, challenge course and trips
• Embrace the East Texas A&M and Campus Rec life.
• Utilize several of our high-quality indoor and outdoor facilities.
• Discover Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas which is just an hour's drive from Commerce.
• Cheer on the Lions with free admission to athletic games.
• Join one of 140 student orgs and affinity groups on campus.

Join our Pride of Champions and help us transform lives through recreation, sports, and fitness!

Timeline and Application

• Preference will be given to those applicants who submit completed applications by May 16th at 5 p.m. on Bluefish.
• The review of applications will begin on Monday, May 19^th 
• For questions about the process, contact Mark Spellmire, mark.spellmire@tamuc.edu  903-468-3184

Official Start Date: TBD

School Starts: Monday, August 25, 2025

Compensation and Benefit Package

• Tuition coverage (Graduate, Statutory, and Designated)
  • Eligible for both in-state/out-of-state students
  • Eligible for six to thirteen credit hours a semester (Fall and Spring semesters only)
  • Campus Rec will also pay for Distance Learning Fee, University Services, and Recreation Center Fee for fall and spring semesters.
  • You are responsible for the cost of all other student fees (Athletic, Union Center, Student Service, and Health).
• Health benefits (if taken)
• 9-Month GA Employment for Two years
  • Paid bi-weekly at $15 an hour at 20 hours per week.
  • Pending a successful end of year evaluation, pay increase to $16 an hour for second year.
  • In addition, 40 hours per week during August preparation for fall semester
• Up to $1,800 yearly funding for department development including NIRSA Region IV/Student Lead-On, NIRSA Annual Conference, AORE Conference, certifications, tournaments, and other development opportunities.

Common, But Not All Graduate Programs and Requirements

• Graduate School Admission Requirements
• Master of Science in Health, Kinesiology, & Sports Studies Requirements and Info
• Masters of Higher Education Requirements and Info

Graduate Assistant – Outdoor Adventure (9-months, two years)

Summary

The Graduate Assistant will assist the Coordinator of Outdoor Adventure with all program components including outdoor adventure center, climbing facility, gear rental, trip/clinic program, disc golf course and challenge course. Depending on qualifications and experience, work load may be shifted towards more relevant areas within the Outdoor Adventures program.

Conditions of Hire

• Contingent upon completing a satisfactory, State of Texas background check
• Once you’ve been offered, must then get full acceptance into East Texas A&M University Graduate School

Conditions of Employment

• This is a two-year commitment with a renewable agreement pending a successful evaluation at the end of the first academic year.
• Required to maintain a minimum of a 3.0-grade point average each semester.
• Must take minimum six hours per semester.
• Progress towards a graduate degree.
• Must have or obtain within 30 days American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid certification

Minimum Qualifications for Consideration

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience working in a collegiate recreation department, recreational programs, or related programs for at least 1 year
• Demonstrated experience in an Outdoor Adventure or Climbing Wall programs

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High personal motivation, organization, self-management, detail-oriented, and proactive problem solver skills

General Department Job Responsibilities for all Graduate Assistants

• Support and align with department mission, vision, values, and strategic plan
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing an environment where people feel welcomed, valued, supported, and respected as they work to pursue their academic and professional goals.
• Attend professional and student staff meetings
• Serve on various department committees
• Provide oversight of program area in the absence of supervisor
• Work night and weekend hours (as needed, based on area)
• Other duties as assigned that assist with the overall mission of the department

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in the operations, administration, and supervision of the Outdoor Adventure program which includes the climbing wall, outdoor challenge course, trips and events.
• Assist in the budget process, including budget development, payroll projections, purchasing, etc.
• Assist in marketing of all program aspects
• Supervise student staff including recruitment, training, evaluation, and develop their leadership, management, customer service, and evaluation skills on a daily basis.
• Create and maintain semester staff schedules using online scheduling software (Sub It Up)
• Assist in planning, budgeting, and leading trips and events
• Demonstrate leadership ability/qualities
• Instill superior customer service mindset across student staff

About East Texas A&M

We are Commerce. We are Lions!Welcome! We are excited that you want to forge your future with a career at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Our main campus is located in Commerce, Texas, at the eastern edge of North Texas with multiple instructional sites as well as a robust online presence. We are proud to be one of the largest universities in the prestigious Texas A&M University System.Since 1889 A&M-Commerce has educated the people of Texas and, ever increasingly, points beyond. We remain true to our founder William Leonidas Mayo’s creed of “ceaseless industry, fearless investigation, unfettered thought, and unselfish service to others.”Texas A&M University-Commerce is committed to and promotes equal opportunity for all. This commitment includes equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and program accessibility. It is also committed to make its workplaces, campuses, and programs accessible to all, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, we encourage and foster a workplace community where individuals are valued for their diverse backgrounds.Tex...as A&M University-Commerce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to Diversity.If you need assistance in applying for this job, please contact (903) 886-5080 or HR.Hiring@tamuc.edu.

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