Coordinator, Gov Outdoors

Austin Peay State University; Clarksville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Peay State University (APSU) seeks a Govs Outdoors Coordinator to lead and grow the campus outdoor recreation program. You will oversee programming, rentals, and risk-management practices to support a safe, inclusive student life and leadership development.

This role partners with University Recreation and Student Affairs, manages a team of 5–10 staff and volunteers, plans budgets, and uses recreation software for registrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience supervising student staff, part-time employees, or volunteers.
• Wilderness First Aid certification or ability to obtain it after hire.
• Knowledge of safety practices and risk management in outdoor programs.
• Ability to lead people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop, direct, and evaluate Govs Outdoors program for diverse university community.
• Oversee all Govs Outdoors programs, events, and gear rentals.
• Enter programs into the recreation management software for registrations.
• Set goals with Assistant Director in line with university missions.
• Monitor industry trends to inform future programming decisions.
• Assist with marketing to promote Govs Outdoors.

Skills

Outdoor programming

Staff supervision

Risk management

Communication skills

Time management

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Recreation software

Job description

Description

This position collaborates in a cross-Divisional and cross-institutional approach to advance operational excellence, student employment development, and risk management for best practices that align with university policies and strategic priorities. The coordinator serves with a student-centered approach that contributes to a caring and safe campus life environment, supporting the holistic success of students through leadership development, professional growth opportunities and high-quality recreational experiences.

Description

This position collaborates in a cross-Divisional and cross-institutional approach to advance operational excellence, student employment development, and risk management for best practices that align with university policies and strategic priorities. The coordinator serves with a student-centered approach that contributes to a caring and safe campus life environment, supporting the holistic success of students through leadership development, professional growth opportunities and high-quality recreational experiences.

Characteristics Of a Successful Candidate

• Integrity, creativity, and decisiveness.
• Motivation to create an inclusive and safe student experience.
• Ability to serve with agility and manage multiple priorities.
• A commitment to practicing open communication and inspiring trust.
• Desire to collaborate with colleagues.
• A strong commitment to developing students holistically.

Responsibilities Include

Programming

• Responsible for the development, direction, and evaluation of a comprehensive outdoor recreation program that meets the needs of a variety of skills levels, abilities, and identities of the university community.
• Oversee all programs, events, and rentals within the Govs Outdoors program area, including Bouldering Competitions, Challenge Course and Rock Wall group requests, gear rentals, trip planning and facilitation.
• Enter and update all programs into the recreation management software system for registrations, sales, and reservations.
• In conjunction with the Assistant Director, create, identify, and assess program goals in support of University and Division missions and strategic plans.
• Monitor the industry trends for programming new and inclusive activities, and to inform future decisions.
• Assist with marketing as needed to promote Govs Outdoors

Fiscal and Facility Operations

• In concert with the Assistant Director, oversee the Govs Outdoors budgets, including payroll, program/maintenance expenses, equipment repair and replacement, and tracking revenue.
• Forecast and monitor all wages, staffing, expenses and revenue to prepare future budget requests, including equipment replacement, in concert with the Assistant Director.
• Coordinate facility-use and requests with the University Recreation leadership team.

Personnel and Leadership Development

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop and evaluate Govs Outdoors staff of 5-10 student and non-student/part-time employees, including Govs Outdoors Adventure Leaders and Rock Wall Attendants
• Develop and implement in-services for Govs Outdoors staff following best practices with a strong emphasis on skill-development, transferable work skills, staff empowerment, inclusion and leadership.
• Enforces and communicates university and department policies with employees and patrons.
• Create, identify, and assess student learning outcomes in support of University and Division missions and strategic plans.
• Provide high-quality service within department guidelines in all interactions.

Department and Division

• Collaborate with University Recreation staff to advance the departmental and divisional vision, mission, core values, and strategic plan
• Support the mission of University Recreation, Student Affairs, and APSU through active participation in departmental and campus-wide initiatives, and committees
• Remain competent and current through professional development and participation in professional organizations.
• Collaborate with APSU departments and community partners.
• Prepare timely and accurate reports.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in outdoor recreation programming or operations, including experience with outdoor adventure programs, challenge course facilitation, climbing programs, or leading group outdoor trips.
• Experience supervising, training, or providing leadership to student employees, part-time employees, volunteers, or program participants.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification, or ability to obtain certification within a specified period following employment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety practices and risk management principles associated with outdoor recreation programs and activities.
• Ability to effectively lead, develop, and work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, programs, and activities.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support Govs Outdoors programs, trips, and departmental or divisional activities.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of a background check as required by the University.

Preferred Skills And Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Recreation Administration, Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Sport Management, or related field.
• Two or more years of professional or graduate-level experience in collegiate recreation, outdoor recreation, adventure education, or a related setting.
• Experience developing, coordinating, and assessing outdoor recreation programs, including adventure trips, climbing programs, challenge courses, equipment rental, or similar experiential programs.
• Experience recruiting, training, supervising, and developing student employees or part-time staff.
• Experience with outdoor recreation risk management, emergency action planning, incident response, and industry safety practices.
• Experience managing or assisting with program budgets, equipment inventories, purchasing, maintenance, and replacement planning.
• Experience using recreation management, registration, reservation, or point-of-sale software.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification.
• Wilderness First Aid Instructor certification.
• Climbing Wall Instructor certification or comparable climbing-related certification.
• Experience with paddling and other outdoor adventure activities.

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.