ALI Climbing & Challenge Course Specialist

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: 4 months ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 08 Mar 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Job Title ALI Climbing & Challenge Course Specialist
Appointment Type Student Employee
Job Location Corvallis
Position Appointment Percent 100%
Appointment Basis 12
Pay Method Hourly
Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Remote or Hybrid option?
Min Hourly Rate $14.20 (Standard); $13.20 (Non-Urban); $15.45 (Portland Metro)
Max Hourly Rate $21.00 (Standard); $20.50 (Non-Urban); $21.50 (Portland Metro)
Position Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill 10 part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Climbing & Challenge Course Specialist positions for the Adventure Leadership Institute (ALI) within Recreational Sports at Oregon State University (OSU).
Specialist staff report to the Climbing Center and Challenge Course Associates, Senior Associates and the Climbing & Challenge Course Coordinator. The Specialist staff is responsible for issuing climbing rental equipment, teaching belay classes, supervising the Climbing Centers, and facilitating high ropes course elements at the Challenge Course. This position also serves as a source of information for adventure programs, facilitation, and climbing practices. This is a demanding position with an emphasis on gym safety, facilitation, and customer service. The Specialist staff also provides numerous support functions including instructing climbing workshops, belaying for rentals, running the high course elements at the Challenge Course, and performing maintenance or cleaning tasks.
Employee Expectations
  • Know Your Stuff: Learn, model, promote and consistently enforce policies for the Department of Recreational Sports
  • Communicate Like a Pro: Professionally and proactively communicate with your teammates, supervisors and administrative staff
  • Stay Sharp: Maintain required certifications and attend orientation sessions, staff meetings and Director’s Retreat as directed
  • Seek Solutions: Provide quality customer service to all patrons and search for a “path to yes” when possible and aligned with mission
  • Deliver a Positive Experience: Maintain and promote a safe and fun environment for all participants and staff


We create engaging environments for student growth and success. We inspire healthy living by providing quality recreational and educational opportunities for the Oregon State University community.
Anticipated Hourly Rate: $16.50
Position Duties
Position Details, Duties and Responsibilities
  • Act professionally and as a positive role model for both peers and participants
  • Prepare high challenge course related activities at the Challenge Course
  • Ability to tie and assess specific knots, implement various belay methods, climb and work on structures at heights up to 35 feet
  • Teach orientation/safety sessions and climbing skills workshops
  • Oversee safety techniques and usage during open recreation and programming
  • Change and set approved climbing routes on a scheduled basis
  • Assist in operating the Climbing Centers and Challenge Course during any other special events (climbing competitions, facility rentals, demonstrations, etc.)
  • Perform maintenance and cleaning tasks
  • Operate the computerized climber check in system
  • Provide emergency response when needed within the facility
  • Dress appropriately for year-round outdoor work that may occur in hot, cold, or rainy weather, including staff shirt & nametag
  • Provide timely response with regard to staff email, scheduling requests
  • Regularly attends staff meetings, skills review sessions, and required trainings
  • Will be subject to working at heights of up to 45 feet, which includes possibility of being exposed to falling and falling objects
  • May be required to lift or transport light to heavy equipment items
  • May be exposed to blood and body fluids while giving First Aid/CPR
  • May be required to work with various cleaning products in the maintenance of the climbing facility
  • Any employee exposed to hazardous materials will be educated on the proper handling and emergency procedures for each item
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/stu-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

  • Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
  • Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
  • Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
    • High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
    • Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
    • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
    • Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
    • Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*


*International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.
Additional Required Qualifications
  • Current OSU belay certification
  • Able to work a minimum of 8-10 hours per week
  • Climbing Wall Instructor Certification and High Course Training (within first three months of hire), First Aid, CPR/AED, and DRS Bloodborne Pathogens certifications is required before employment begins


This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
  • Effective organizational ability
  • Previous customer service experience
  • Ability to work with a diverse population
  • Previous rock climbing or facilitation experience
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Period of Employment: Varies (contingent employment is dependent upon satisfactory completion of a 30 day probationary period and satisfactory job performance as evaluated by immediate supervisor).
Compensation: Student employees are paid a wage consistent with the OSU Student Employment Pay Rate Guidelines. The Department of Recreational Sports identifies pay based upon job duties, level of responsibility and complexity of work to be performed.
The Department of Recreational Sports at Oregon State University commits to achieve excellence through cultural diversity and actively encourage applications from all genders, persons of color, and individuals from underrepresented groups. Interview questions will be developed based on the information in this position description. All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P10643SE
Number of Vacancies 10
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 05/01/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 01/22/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 03/08/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students
Special Instructions to Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter


For additional information please contact: Emily Abrams at [email protected].
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months. Offers of employment are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications including the Criminal History Check Requirement.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

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