Climbing Center and Challenge Course Student Specialist

OSU Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Oregon State University is seeking a part-time Climbing & Challenge Course Student Specialist for Recreational Sports. You will issue climbing rental equipment, teach belay classes, and supervise safety in the climbing gyms, providing information for adventure programs and climbing safety.

The position emphasizes gym safety and customer service, supporting workshops, belaying for rentals, and maintenance or cleaning tasks.

Qualifications

• First Aid, CPR/AED for the Healthcare Provider and DRS Bloodborne Pathogens certifications are required before employment begins.
• Must be available for a minimum of 6-8 hours per week during Climbing Center operation hours.
• PCIA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification required before employment begins.
• Challenge Course Low and High Elements training required within first two terms of employment.
• Position designated as critical or security-sensitive; may require Criminal History Check and Driver History checks.

Responsibilities

• Teach belay skills checks and gym orientation sessions.
• Instruct climbing skills workshops.
• Belay for rentals and assist in operating the facility during events and private rentals.
• Oversee safety techniques and usage during open recreation.
• Change and set approved climbing routes on a scheduled basis.
• Perform maintenance and cleaning tasks; navigate the check-in system.

Skills

Effective organizational ability

Strong interpersonal and communication

Beginner to intermediate climbing

Education

High School student eligibility

Undergraduate credit hours requirement

Graduate credit hours requirement

Job description

Department: Recreational Sports

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

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 2 years. This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq. 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.

Job Description

This recruitment will be used to fill 15 part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Climbing and Challenge Course Student Specialist for Recreational Sports at Oregon State University (OSU). Climbing & Challenge Course Specialists report to the Climbing & Challenge Course Coordinator. Specialists are responsible for issuing climbing rental equipment, teaching belay classes, and supervising the safety of the climbing gyms. This position also serves as a source of information for adventure programs and climbing safety. This is a demanding position with an emphasis on gym safety and customer service. The Specialists also provide numerous support functions including instructing climbing workshops, belaying for rentals, and performing maintenance or cleaning tasks.

Position Duties

• Teach belay skills checks and gym orientation sessions
• Instruct climbing skills workshops
• Serve as belayer and assist in operating the facility during special events and private rentals (climbing competitions, facility rentals, demonstrations, etc.)
• Oversee safety techniques and usage during open recreation
• Change and set approved climbing routes on a scheduled basis
• Perform maintenance and cleaning tasks, such as vacuuming, dusting, washing climbing holds, and other tasks as assigned
• Navigate and Operate the computerized climber check in system
• Provide emergency response when needed within the facility
• Will be subject to working at heights of up to 45 feet, which includes possibility of being exposed to falling and falling objects
• Required to lift or transport heavy equipment items up to 50lbs with assistance
• Execute all emergency procedures and provide First Aid and CPR assistance when necessary
• Monitor Facility use to ensure compliance with safety rules, emergency procedures
• Connect with Climbers, staff and event participants to ensure a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment

Transferable Skill Development

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Technology
• Professionalism

Qualifications

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-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*

Required Qualifications

• First Aid, CPR/AED for the Healthcare Provider and DRS Bloodborne Pathogens certifications are required before employment begins and will be provided by the department upon hiring
• Must be available for a minimum of 6-8 hours per week during Climbing Center operation hours
• PCIA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification required before employment begins
• Challenge Course Low and High Elements training required within first two terms of employment
• 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 2 years.
• This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Preferred Qualifications

• Effective organizational ability
• Ability to work with a diverse population
• Beginner to intermediate climbing skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Previous experience working in a climbing facility
• Previous experience facilitating groups or working at a high ropes course

Working Conditions/Schedule

• 8-24 hours per week.
• Early morning, late night, and weekend hours may be required.

Salary Range

The salary range is not stated.

Anticipated Start Date

2026-11-13

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

Treasurer Chief Budget Officer Senior VP of Finance & Administration and CFO AVP for Facilities & Infrastructure

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS

• Top 1.4% university in the world
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• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
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Locations

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state‑of‑the‑art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life.
• OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical care insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
• Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Contractor Non-Discrimination Statement

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

At Oregon State University, no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University. If requested, OSU will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on your application to receive an accommodation. Please request any reasonable accommodations for disability as early as possible in the application and search process.

Requests for Accommodation

Requests may be directed to the hiring unit, or to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone].

Non-Discrimination Policies

The university prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin (including ancestry and ethnicity), citizenship, marital or family status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status / service in the uniformed service, or any other status protected by law or OSU policy.

Title IX Information

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to OSU’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (link to https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr), or both. OSU’s Title IX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA). For information on OSU’s nondiscrimination policy and procedures, including how to report information about conduct that may constitute discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, contact EOA by phone: [phone], email: [e-mail], mail/location: 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis OR 97331, or visit EOA’s website: eoa.oregonstate.edu.

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