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Posted: 09-Jun-26
Location: Johnson City, Tennessee
Type: Full Time
Salary: $47,002.36
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Salary Details:
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Internal Number: 1028
East Tennessee State University is seeking a dynamic and student-focused professional to serve as the Coordinator of Outdoor Adventure within Campus Recreation. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Outdoor Adventure, this new position will play a key role in shaping outdoor experiences that foster student connection, leadership development, and a sense of belonging.
Why ETSU?
ETSU’s prime location in the heart of Appalachia gives you unmatched access to outdoor adventures—right in your backyard. Johnson City blends the energy of a college town with easy access to the outdoors, offering a high quality of life and a strong sense of community. Our main campus is surrounded by local, state and national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Roan Mountain State Park and the Cherokee National Forest.
About ETSU Campus Recreation
ETSU Campus Recreation is committed to enhancing the student experience through inclusive, engaging programs that promote wellbeing, leadership, and community. ETSU Campus Recreation offers the largest graduate assistant program in the state of Tennessee for collegiate recreation and is one of the largest on-campus student employers at ETSU with over 150 student employees. The Coordinator of Outdoor Adventure will join a team with 8 other professional staff members who have a passion for student development, collegiate recreation, and enjoy working together.
About ETSU Outdoor Adventure
Named a Top Adventure College by Blue Ridge Magazine in 2023 and 2024, ETSU Outdoor Adventure is a comprehensive program designed to connect students to meaningful outdoor experiences. The program includes the Basler Team Challenge & Aerial Adventure Course, an indoor climbing wall, a robust trips program, the Buc Bikes program, outdoor gear rental, and stewardship of the university’s trail system. Together, these offerings create multiple entry points for students of all experience levels to engage with the outdoors. ETSU Outdoor Adventure employs ~35 student employees and two (2) graduate assistants.
About this Position
The position of Coordinator of Outdoor Adventure is being created with the goal of expanding first-year orientation programs in mind. Funded through the Strategic Initiative fund, this position will provide the opportunity to grow first-year orientation trips, expand our student trip leader program (BOLT), and program over 30 trips annually during the fall and spring semesters.
What Success Looks Like in Year One
- Successfully help our department expand our first-year outdoor orientation program that increases student participation and enhances the transition experience
- Recruit, train, and retain a strong team of student trip leaders who demonstrate growth in leadership, risk management, and facilitation skills
- Deliver a consistent, high-quality trips program (30+ trips annually) with strong participant satisfaction and engagement
- Build collaborative relationships with campus partners to increase visibility and utilization of Outdoor Adventure programs
- Maintain high standards in safety, risk management, and equipment care across all program areas
Compensation & Benefits
Starting salary for this position is $47,002.36 annually, with up to $1,500 provided for relocation expenses. This is a 12-month appointment. The work schedule will vary based on programming needs; however, Campus Recreation supports flexible scheduling for full-time staff who may work evenings and weekends.
ETSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid holidays, health and life insurance, retirement plans, and educational benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents. Campus Recreation also provides annual funding to support the professional development of all full-time staff members.
Review of applications will begin immediately with applications closing on June 30, 2026.
Applications submitted to this job board will not be considered.
We require that candidates meet the following minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated experience in outdoor trip design and implementation; one (1) year of experience in collegiate recreation (graduate assistantship experience accepted); Valid driver’s license; Current American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid or ability to obtain within an established period after hire; Current Wilderness First Responder Certification or ability to obtain within an established period after hire.
