For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 21, 2025.

Remuneration:

This Graduate Professional Assistant position will receive a stipend payment of $20,968. A tuition grant not to exceed $10,000 each semester will be applied to your student account. The position will be from August 10, 2025 to May 24, 2026.

Graduate Professional Assistant of the EDGE

Responsibilities:
EDGE Program Operations (40%)

• Supervise Daily EDGE Programs, serve as primary point of contact for clients that day, prepare facilitators, observe and assess facilitation skills, assist with program as-needed.
• Solo Facilitate small groups of children or adults through low ropes & high ropes team building activities.
• Supervise high element operations of the Alpine Tower, Total Team Challenge, Giant Swing, and Power Pole.
• Assist with recruitment, hiring, and interviewing new facilitators.
• Design and facilitate required trainings.
• Support the inspection and maintenance of EDGE courses & equipment, keep inventory up-to-date.
• Manage pre and post program paperwork.
• Assist AD with managing facilitator scheduling.
• Support intradepartmental collaborations with other campus departments such as Student Success Coaching, New Student Programs, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and student organizations.

EDGE Program Administration (50%)

• Review pre-program paperwork and scheduling to ensure all is complete.
• Utilize software and databases including: Microsoft OneDrive, Word, Excel, Forms; Adobe Acrobat; and Fusion.
• Assist in planning a comprehensive and complete calendar of EDGE programs, events, and trainings throughout the year.
• Develop marketing materials and social media marketing strategies for the EDGE.
• Support ongoing risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk management needs such as annual reviews of all area procedures and inspections, industry standard compliance, EAP and incident response.
• Assist with the development of custom and innovative EDGE programs.
• Complete other administrative tasks such as: event registrations, direct contact with clients, paperwork, budget planning, etc.
• Engage in opportunities for professional development including potential for ACCT certification, local and national conference attendance, and Mason University Professional Development workshops.

Mason Recreation (10%)

• Collaborate with Mason Recreation to expand the outreach of OA on campus including development of well-being initiatives.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings and annual department events.
• Support program operations of the Outdoor Adventure Program, including trip leader trainings, developing an understanding of program operations and risk management.
• Support assessment, survey, and data analytics and reporting specific to department desired outcomes.
• Conduct outreach to Mason student groups. Develop collaborations with a variety of departments across Mason and create specific curricula as needed.

Work will often occur outdoors and weekend work will be required during the program season (March to November).

• Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college or university. 
• Students must be admitted to a graduate degree program at George Mason University.
• Graduate Professional Assistants must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• This position requires a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week, and is eligible for renewal upon mutual agreement.
• At least 1-year previous experience facilitating team building activities in an outdoor setting.

• Enrollment in graduate program in: Recreation, Health, Education, Geology, Psychology, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Facilitation in additional outdoor adventure, team building, or recreation programs.
• Facilitation experience in low ropes elements.
• Facilitation experience on high ropes elements, such as belaying, alpine tower, individual dynamic elements, static course elements, or rock climbing experience.
• Prior experience working with youth ages 10 and above and/or college students.
• Certifications in related fields: ACCT Level 1 or Level 2 Challenge Course Practitioner, wilderness first responder or wilderness first aid, single pitch instructor, LNT, Climbing Wall Instructor, Certified Park and Recreation Professional, etc.

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and professional references to dkisiel1@gmu.edu. Use "Graduate Professional Assistant Application" as your subject line.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is the largest public research university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here at Mason, we are setting the benchmark for a bold, progressive education that serves the needs of our students and communities. With a student population of over 40,000, representing more than 130 countries, our campus is an organically diverse environment! George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment. Mason Recreation oversees three facilities on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University including the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC), the Aquatic Fitness Center (AFC), and Skyline Fitness Center. These facilities boast four gymnasiums, racquetball/squash courts, several locker rooms, fitness galleries and dedicated rooms for yoga, cycling, group exercise, and marital arts/self-defense classes. We house and maintain a recreation and competition pool, sauna, whirlpool, and several exterior facilities including a pavilion, turf and grass fields, jogging/walking trails, and a... team challenge course on our Science and Technology Campus. We provide the following programs and services for the campus community: Fitness, Aquatics, Outdoor Adventures, Intramural Sports, Club Sports, and the EDGE (team building programming).

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