Coordinator of Outdoor Discovery

High Point University; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

High Point University is seeking a Coordinator of Outdoor Discovery to manage programs, operations, and facilities at the Outdoor Discovery Center. You will recruit, train, schedule, and supervise ropes course operators and develop programming for students.

The role requires expertise in safety, risk management, and strong communication. You will support weekend/evening hours, collaborate with the Recreation Services team, and contribute to a vibrant campus outdoors program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (sports management, sports administration, parks and recreation, exercise science, health education, outdoor education, etc.)
• Master’s degree preferred
• Collegiate recreation experience
• American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification
• Advance Wilderness First Aid certification
• Certified high ropes operator
• Belay Certification

Responsibilities

• Oversees all aspects of outdoor discovery program including laser tag field, rock wall, high ropes course, bike share program, and adventure trips
• Oversees the Outdoor Discovery Center at The Estate
• Recruits, hires, trains, and evaluates part-time student staff
• Implements emergency action plans and risk management procedures for laser tag, rock wall, high and low ropes challenge course, and adventure trips
• Creates policies and procedures and adjusts rules to provide a safe and enjoyable playing environment
• Supervises Recreation Services employees, including hiring, firing, disciplining, scheduling, training, assigning work and ensuring completion of responsibilities
• Ensures student workers are eligible for University employment and compliant with HR guidelines
• Meets with student staff weekly to evaluate performance and policies
• Ensures holistic development of student employees
• Creates varied outdoor discovery programs, services and offerings
• Oversees bike rental program and long-term rentals
• Assists in oversight of seasonal outdoor ice rink
• Makes recommendations on department policies, procedures, safety, risks, and purchasing of equipment
• Assists with marketing of Recreation Dept programs including website/social media and graphic design
• Coordinates ropes course programming and team-building exercises
• Coordinates laser tag team-building and excursions
• Plans venture trips (skiing, snowboarding, white-water rafting)
• Assists in planning events and orientations
• Performs assessments of programming and facilities
• Maintains positive work atmosphere through effective communication
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Deadline management

Organizational skills

Team orientation

Supervisory skills

Resource planning

Flexible hours

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

High Point University is currently seeking a Coordinator of Outdoor Discovery. The Outdoor Discovery Center located at the HPU Estate includes high and low ropes course elements, a rock wall, and a professional grade laser tag arena. This position manages all the aspects of the Outdoor Discovery program including programs, operations, and facilities. They will be responsible for recruiting, training, scheduling, and managing ropes course operators. The Coordinator of Outdoor Discovery will develop and assess programming to service the students of High Point University. The position reports to the Director of Recreation Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (sports management, sports administration, parks and recreation, exercise science, health education, outdoor education etc.)
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience and Training

• Collegiate recreation experience
• American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification
• Advance Wilderness First Aid certification
• Certified high ropes operator
• Belay Certification

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (including PowerPoint and Excel)
• Ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a team environment
• Supervisory skills
• Ability to plan and schedule resources
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees all aspects of outdoor discovery program including laser tag field, rock wall, high ropes course, bike share program, and adventure trips
• Oversees the Outdoor Discovery Center at The Estate
• Recruits, hires, trains, and evaluates part-time student staff
• Implements emergency action plans and risk management procedures laser tag, rock wall high and low ropes challenge course and adventure trips
• Creates policies and procedures and adjust rules with necessary forms to provide a safe and enjoyable playing environment
• Supervises Recreation Services employees, including hiring, firing, disciplining, scheduling, training, assigning work and ensuring completion of assigned responsibilities
• Ensures that all student workers are eligible for employment with High Point University and are in compliance with University Human Relations Office guidelines
• Meets with student staff weekly to evaluate performance, and understanding of policies and procedures
• Ensures the holistic development of student employees in accordance with University mission
• Creates a varied and welcoming array of outdoor discovery programs, services and offerings
• Oversees robust bike rental program and other long-term rentals
• Assists in the oversight of the seasonal outdoor ice rink
• Makes recommendations on department policies, operating procedures, safety/risk management, identification of risks, work-flow procedures and the purchasing, storage and utilization of recreation equipment
• Assists with the marketing of Recreation Department programs and services to the University including management of website and social media outlets as well as graphic design
• Coordinates, schedules, and facilitates ropes challenge course programming and team building exercises
• Coordinates, schedules, and facilitates laser tag team building and recreational excursions
• Plans, organizes, and supervises venture trips for students that include but are not limited to skiing, snowboarding and white-water rafting
• Assists in planning and execution of special events and student orientations
• Performs assessments of recreation programming and facilities
• Maintains positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating effectively with students, students’ parents, faculty, co-workers and managers
• Other duties as assigned

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Promotes student health and ensures student safety in the use of the University’s recreational and fitness facilities
• Supervises part-time student employees
• Works under limited supervision

For more information regarding this position, please contact Austin Wilson, Director of Recreation Services at [e-mail]