Osprey Challenge Course and Climb Wall Coordinator

The University of North Florida Board of Trustees; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 37,651 - 46,018; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Florida seeks an Osprey Cliff and Challenge Course Coordinator to support the Osprey Challenge Course, Zipline, Sky Park, and climbing wall operations. This role provides oversight of program development, staff supervision, risk management, and operational effectiveness for all assigned areas, ensuring high-quality experiential learning for campus and external partners.

The position involves hiring, training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating a large part-time staff

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain relevant challenge course and climbing wall certifications.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and varied schedules based on program needs.
• Experience with staff supervision and program evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs for the challenge course, zipline, sky park, and climbing wall.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate part-time staff.
• Maintain certifications and ensure staff safety and risk-management compliance.
• Oversee budgets, payroll, and revenue tracking for programs.
• Coordinate reservations and logistics for all programs.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Risk management

Program development

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Department: Eco Adventure
Compensation: $41,835.00 Annual

General Description / Primary Purpose

The Osprey Cliff and Challenge Course Coordinator is primarily responsible for supporting the Osprey Challenge Course, Zipline, Sky Park, and Osprey Cliff (climbing wall), and assisting with daily Eco Adventure operations. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Eco Adventure, the coordinator is an integral part of the Eco Adventure team, providing oversight of program development, evaluation, staff supervision, risk management, and operational effectiveness for all assigned areas. The coordinator ensures the delivery of high‑quality experiential learning and recreational opportunities for campus and external partners, while supporting departmental goals related to student engagement, revenue generation, and safety compliance. This role additionally provides support as needed to broaden Eco Adventure initiatives, including Eco Camp and Adventure trips. This position is responsible for hiring, training, supervision, scheduling and evaluation of a large part‑time staff team working within assigned areas.

Job Function: Osprey Cliff and Challenge Course

• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs for the Osprey Challenge Course, Zipline, Sky Park, and Osprey Cliff with an eye for experiential learning, team building, and conservation.
• Design customized team‑building experiences for campus organizations and external clients based on identified group goals.
• Proactively work with campus organizations and clients to determine their vision and goals for programs.
• Obtain and maintain certifications that support the training and supervision of staff and the supervision of program groups for use of challenge course and climbing wall structures.
• Expand and promote programs to increase participation and support revenue targets.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate part‑time staff.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure staff maintain required certifications and adhere to operational standards.
• Maintain compliance with industry standards and university risk management policies, including certification requirements for operating challenge course and climbing wall structures.
• Oversee routine inspection, documentation, and maintenance of all course elements, climbing structures, and equipment.
• Develop and implement safety procedures, emergency protocols, and operational manuals.
• Manage reservations and coordinate logistics for all programs within assigned areas.
• Maintain accurate program records, reports, and documentation for assessment and planning.
• Utilize department systems for scheduling, reporting, and staff management.
• Monitor program budgets in coordination with the RecWell Business Office.
• Track revenue and expenses, supporting financial sustainability goals.
• Maintain inventory and lifecycle management of all program equipment.
• Support Eco Adventure initiatives, including youth camps and outdoor programming as needed.
• Collaborate with RecWell staff, campus departments, and external partners to promote services and align programming.
• Represent RecWell on committees and in campus engagement efforts.

Marginal Functions

• Participate in professional development opportunities, including conferences and certification trainings.
• Assist with special projects, events, or cross‑departmental initiatives as needed.
• Support additional Eco Adventure or RecWell programs during peak operational periods.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219.
• Ability to obtain and maintain relevant challenge course and climbing wall certifications.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and varied schedules based on program needs.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including adults, youth, students, and wide‑ranging community participants.
• Have background in or be willing to become a trained naturalist to incorporate environmental and outdoor conservation elements into programming.
• Have background in or be willing to work with a wide range of ages, from youth in camps, through to all stages of adulthood working with students, professional staff, and guests.
• Have wilderness first responder certification, first aid certification or similar, or be willing to complete training within 12 months of hire.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University’s policy, this position may also require a credit check. The holder of this position is designated as a "Responsible Employee" pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator.

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Notice

At this time, UNF cannot consider candidates who require H‑1B visa sponsorship, regardless of current visa status. Current UNF employees (Faculty & Staff) should view opportunities via the Workday UNF Jobs Hub. Current UNF students should view opportunities via the Workday UNF Student Jobs Hub.