Coordinator of Outdoor Adventures

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Duke Recreation and Physical Education reaffirms our commitment to fighting racism and supporting diversity,

equity, inclusion, and belonging. It is our mission to build awareness and leadership around anti-racism by

generating transformative conversations, tangible changes, and experiences through assessment, intentional

actions, and holding our community accountable. The Coordinator of Outdoor Adventures will work to cultivate

a safe, anti-racist, equitable and inclusive community, and environment. This will be done through education as

well as the identification and removal of barriers for staff, faculty, and/or participants.

Occupational Summary

This is a full-time position under the direct supervision of the Director of Outdoor Adventures.

The Outdoor Adventures team consists of one full-time Director, a full-time Coordinator, and a 30 hour per week position. This coordinator position is responsible for the day-to-day operations and leadership of the indoor rock-climbing facility, indoor rock-climbing programming, and equipment rental program. This position directly supervises 30+ student employees. The coordinator is responsible for assisting in the development, direction, and evaluation of a comprehensive Outdoor Adventure program. The coordinator will assist with outdoor trip leader development training and workshops. This includes assisting with the management of daily operations within Outdoor Adventures including an indoor climbing wall, outdoor trips and instructional clinics, outdoor equipment rentals, specialized programs, events, and additional projects that support the mission and vision of the Department of Recreation and Physical Education.

In addition, the Outdoor Adventures team is responsible for developing and implementing a shared vision guided by departmental goals that are aligned with the Duke Athletic department strategic plan. Outdoor Adventures plays a key role with leveraging specific strategies around health and wellbeing as well as student learning and success. This position is uniquely positioned to contribute to student learning and student success by providing space for Duke students to build community through welcoming and inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities.

Work Performed

Provide the Duke community with exceptional outdoor recreation programs while serving as a champion for recreation, health, wellness and outdoor education at Duke University.

Assist with marketing, budgeting, strategic planning, and deliberate development of Duke Outdoor Adventures in alignment with the department’s mission, values, and goals.

Manage the outdoor equipment rental operations including equipment inventory, inspections, maintenance, budget tracking and purchasing. Coordinate group rentals and various special events.

Provide supervision of indoor climbing wall operations, maintenance, and staff development. Assist with planning and implementation of special events at the climbing wall including annual rock climbing competitions.

Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate part-time employees on proper operating policies and procedures that pertain to specific areas within the Outdoor Adventures Program.

Assist with the Outdoor Adventures Trips program. Co-lead outdoor trips that include, but are not limited to rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, canoeing, caving, skiing/snowboarding excursions that range 1-10 days in length.

Assist with the Outdoor Adventures Leadership Development Program and the ongoing development of the annual Trip Leader training curriculum.

Facilitate trainings that equip students with the knowledge and skills to become autonomous facilitators of Outdoor Adventures Trips. Technical and non-technical trainings include, but are not limited to basic camp craft skills, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, group development, risk management, wilderness medicine, and Leave No Trace.

Practice proper risk management policies and procedures set forth by the Department of Recreation and Physical Education and update Outdoor Adventure Policies as needed.

Work supportively, collaboratively and diplomatically with a wide variety of colleagues, faculty, patrons, and students both inside and outside of the department.

The ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.

Collaborate with campus partners by providing consultation for outdoor adventure programs, including but not limited to trip planning, risk management, team building, staff development and program advising.

Serve as an active member of the Recreation and Physical Education team by upholding the Team Charter, Team Values, and by cultivating an environment that promotes inclusiveness and diversity.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Experience

Experience in staff management and development, as well as trip leading experience in three or more of the following activities: backpacking, rock-climbing, white-water kayaking, sea kayaking, mountain biking, stand up paddleboarding, and the ability to train staff in at least two of the aforementioned activities. Must have the ability to obtain CPR/AED and Wilderness First Responder certifications within 3 month of hire date. Must display good judgment, think independently and make sound decisions for everyday emergency situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education

Masters degree from an accredited institution in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Physical Education, Sport Management, or related field.

Experience

Two or more years of full-time professional experience developing Outdoor Adventure programming in a collegiate recreation setting. Professional experience developing and administering outdoor programming in a culturally diverse environment. Demonstrated experience administering risk management practices for outdoor recreation programs. Previous experience in equipment rental procedures and adventure-based trip management, preferably in a university setting. Current certifications through ACA, AMGA, AAI, PCIA, ACCT, LNT, WMI, SOLO. Demonstrated pursuit of personal professional development through participation in a national industry association or organization (AORE, ACCT, WEA, AEE, or NIRSA). Experience with Innosoft Fusion recreation management software.

Skills:

Understand facility and equipment maintenance needs including preventative care, repair and upkeep of all rental equipment and department vehicles/trailers.

Ability to instruct at least three of the following areas and experience in the others: Whitewater kayaking, class II-III; sea kayaking, coastal kayaking, river and lake canoeing, rock climbing, backpacking, paddleboarding, or mountain biking. Knowledge of current literature, trends in adventure programming, and risk management.

Must have the ability to assist students, staff, and faculty in a prompt, professional and courteous manner.

Ability to work in a dynamic and diverse university setting and contribute to a team-based environment.

Knowledge of or ability to learn membership tracking software.

Ability to keep current with professional development opportunities such as conferences, training sessions, association memberships, etc.

Must have good organization, management skills, and the ability to successfully meet deadlines.

Must possess the ability to operate independently, take initiative and follow-through, problem solve, and make rational decisions.

Knowledge of liability, risk-management and safety as it relates to outdoor recreation.

Education

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Work requires one year of experience in program administration or OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE involving academic, instructional or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate and implement a variety of program activities and events.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.