Position Summary:
Job Description:
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS RECREATION WILDERNESS PURSUITS
Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Assistant Director of Campus Recreation for Wilderness Pursuits.
The position reports to Director of Campus Recreation and is responsible for providing supervision to 15-20 student employees.
Responsibilities: The Assistant Director of Campus Recreation for Wilderness Pursuits is responsible for the effective implementation of Wilderness Pursuits programs. This includes trip scheduling and logistics equipment purchasing storage repair and maintenance rental shop management permitting marketing and risk management.
Programs should span a wide range of difficulty and duration from highly accessible day trips to more technical overnight experiences ensuring opportunities for a diverse student population. This includes planning and implementing shorter outings such as local hikes at Hartman Rocks as well as longer more technical trips like a multi-day Wilderness-Based Orientation mountaineering.
Risk management requires a thorough understanding of industry standards and best practices for all activities offered by WP including wilderness medicine avalanche awareness and backcountry decision-making.
The position also oversees staff hiring training scheduling leadership mentorship and evaluation. The Assistant Director must maintain a working knowledge of all activity areas offered by WP and have the ability to provide training in these areas.
Additional administrative responsibilities include tracking budgets and operating within established parameters approving timesheets following proper purchasing procedures and managing staff schedules.
Finally the position serves as advisor to the WCU Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) providing guidance and support to ensure the success of the teams operations and collaboration with campus partners.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree in Recreation Outdoor Education Business or a related field. At least three years of relevant field-based experience and one year of outdoor program administrative experience. Current certifications in Wilderness First Responder AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Training and CPR. Strong skills in organizational leadership wilderness risk management budget management staff supervision and outdoor equipment management.
This position requires a medium level of physical exertion with the ability to move outdoor equipment and perform most of the programs outdoor activities.
Preferred Qualifications: Masters degree in Recreation Outdoor Education or a related field. More than four years of relevant field-based experience and at least two years of outdoor program administrative experience. Advanced certifications such as AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Swift Water Rescue Technician Colorado River Guide and AIARE Level 2 or Pro 1 Avalanche Training. Experience with permitting through federal land management agencies and proficiency with Fusion recreation software. Experience working with and supervising students.
Compensation: Salary range: $53000 - $56000. This position is FLSA exempt. 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.
Application Procedure: Apply online at Required attachments for online application include a letter of application addressed to Kevin Geisen Director of Campus Recreation resume and contact information for three references.
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.
Western Colorado University is unable to sponsor work visa/work authorization for this position at this time.
Please direct questions to the search committee chair at .
Application deadline is January 29th at 11:59pm (MST).
Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte
Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of 3700 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 Westerns faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized rigorous and immersive education. Visit 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. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals exhibitions performances wellness activities and the winter many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country the summer bikers hikers and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails while others delight in fishing boating and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.
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 or .
WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS
Required Experience:
Director
At Western, students are immersed in experiential learning, guided by professors who care, in an outdoor landscape like no other.