The Recreation department at George Mason University has three Graduate Professional Assistant Positions that are open for the 2026-2027 Academic Year:

• The Graduate Professional Assistant of Outdoor Adventures
• The Graduate Professional Assistant of the EDGE
• The Graduate Professional Assistant of Well-Being

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and professional references to dkisiel1@gmu.edu. Use "Graduate Professional Assistant Application" as your subject line and in the email specify which of the positions you are applying for.

For Full Consideration, Apply by: January 31, 2026.

Remuneration:

Each Graduate Professional Assistant position will receive a stipend payment of $21,194.50. A tuition grant not to exceed $10,000 each semester will be applied to your student account. The position will be from August 10, 2026 to May 24, 2027.

Graduate Professional Assistant of Outdoor Adventures

Responsibilities:

Outdoor Adventure Administration (50%)

• Assist with recruitment, hiring, and interviewing of new student trip leaders.
• Mentor and guide OA student trip leaders in their professional and leadership development.
• Assist in planning a comprehensive and complete calendar of OA events throughout the year. Provide a mixture of day and overnight trips.
• Take a leadership role in marketing and administering the equipment rental program, including equipment logistics and tracking.
• Assist as needed with the development of Mason’s Outdoor Orientation program- Project Peak.
• Complete administrative tasks such as: trip registrations, gear rentals in fusion, emails to participants, trip planning paperwork, review of procedures, budget planning, equipment inventory, etc.
• Engage in opportunities for professional development including potential skills trainings, local or national conference attendance, and Mason University Professional Development workshops. 

Outdoor Adventure Trip Operations (30%)

• Assist the Assistant Director, Outdoor Adventures with the operations of the Outdoor Adventure (OA) program.
• Assist with training, scheduling, and supervision of student trip leaders, 10-20 per semester.
• Lead and assist with adventure trips.
• Plan and co-lead an extended break trip(s) for Mason students.
• Manage pre and post trip meetings.
• Support intradepartmental collaborations with other campus departments such as Grad Student Life, New Student Programs, and student organizations to develop custom trips.

Mason Recreation (20%)

• 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 assessment, survey, data analysis, and reports that document desired outcomes.
• Conduct outreach to Mason student groups. Develop collaborations with a variety of departments across Mason and create specific curricula as needed.
• Assist with departmental special events, as assigned.

Overnight and weekend work will be required.

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Enrollment in graduate program in: Recreation, Health, Education, or related field.
• Previous experience leading outdoor trip activities such as biking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, caving, paddling, etc.
• Certifications in related fields: wilderness first responder or wilderness first aid, single pitch instructor, LNT, ACA kayak, SUP, or canoe instructor, swiftwater rescue, challenge course practitioner etc.
• Experience working with college students or in a college setting.

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, data analysis, and reports that document 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).

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Graduate Professional Assistant of Well-Being

Responsibilities:

• Assist with campus-wide well-being programming, to include furthering the connections between access, compliance, and community initiatives.
• Assist in developing a calendar of well-being programs, activities, and initiatives for each semester in collaboration with various campus offices and departments and Mason Recreation staff.
• Work collaboratively with the Recreation Manager of Marketing and Communications and other offices to market and promote well-being programming and initiatives.
• Assist in updating and maintaining a collaborative file of well-being resources involving contributions from multiple departments and offices.
• Assist with Mason Recreation departmental events, committees, and initiatives as assigned.
• Assist with programming execution and workshop facilitation.
• Assist with staff development through trainings, and meeting facilitation.
• Assist with assessment and reporting on the progress of Mason Recreation Well-Being and departmental assessment.
• Collaborate with various departments on well-being related projects and programming
• Assist in advising wage staff on program planning to establish well-being components and strategies.
• Assist in mentorship and training of undergraduate student interns as they learn well-being fundamentals in a college environment.
• Serve on related committees to encourage campus well-being.
• Able to work some evening and weekend hours as required.
• Participate in the Graduate Staff Academy hosted by University Life.
• Participate as an active member of the departmental Student Experience Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college or university.
• Students must be admitted to a graduate degree program at George Mason University.
• Graduate 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.
• Must be able to become CPR/ First Aid/ AED certified within 6 weeks of employment.
• Must have a positive outlook and be reliable, responsible, self-motivated, confident, sincere, flexible, dedicated, and considerate.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including competency in Microsoft Office and other software programs.
• Must take initiative and utilize critical thinking skills to coordinate programs, initiatives, and consider multiple issues, needs, possibilities, etc.
• Must have an ability to maintain effective working relations with others from a variety of backgrounds.
• Must have the willingness and skill to co-facilitate small group workshops.
• Must exhibit exceptional professionalism and a strong work ethic.
• Must be available and accessible for the time commitment involved.
• Knowledge of a variety of topics and practices related to recreation, well-being, access, compliance, and community.
• Ability to work independently, follow-up on assignments, and take initiative on projects;
• Demonstrated ability to assist students on the continuum of holistic health and well-being.
• Must have strong organizational skills.
• Must work well within a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in programming.
• Familiarity with Qualtrics.

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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