Outdoor Adventure & Leadership Development Coordinator

The University of Texas at El Paso; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid vacation & sick leave

Paid holidays

Employee discounts & perks

Education assistance

Job summary

The University of Texas at El Paso seeks a dynamic Outdoor Adventure Program Supervisor to lead experiential learning initiatives, supervise student staff, and ensure safe, impactful trips. The role emphasizes leadership development, budget stewardship, and program innovation within the Recreational Sports Department.

Responsibilities include designing and evaluating trips, managing resources, coordinating training, and partnering with campus stakeholders to enhance learning outcomes for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in recreation, education, sport management, or related field.
• One year of professional experience in the related program area or equivalent.
• Certifications in wilderness first aid, CPR/First Aid, AED, and related outdoor safety credentials are required within six months if not already held.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate Outdoor Adventure student staff.
• Forecast, manage trips budgets and revenue-driven programs.
• Lead program assessment, sustainability, and leadership outcomes.
• Oversee trip logistics: staffing, transportation, equipment, and post-program evaluation.
• Collaborate with campus partners and American Red Cross instructors for trainings.

Skills

Outdoor leadership

Staff supervision

Budget management

Program development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Information

Hiring Department: Recreational Sports Department

Reports To: Director

Job Location: On-site; El Paso, TX

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: 10/01/2026

Salary: $40,480 annually.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Staff Supervision & Collaboration

Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate Outdoor Adventure student staff.

Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, and mentorship.

Collaborate with Recreational Sports colleagues and campus partners to support shared goals and initiatives

Fiscal Accountability

Forecast and operate the trips and clinics budget, offering recommendations, communicating requests, and maintaining records.

Prepare and monitor income and expense budgets in accordance with UTEP protocols.

Initiate, create and implement revenue driven programs facilitating the operational goals of the department.

Coordinate all capital equipment purchases and projects with the assistant director in alignment with UTEP policy and procedures.

Prepare periodic reports, financial statements, and records on program activities, progress, status or other special reports for management.

Program Enhancement & Innovation

Continuously enhance and evolve the Outdoor Adventure Program through assessment-informed decision making, updated program models, and intentional learning outcomes.

Use participation data, assessments, and student feedback to guide program development and long-term sustainability. Implement and refine new program formats such as modular trips, micro-adventures, hybrid learning experiences, and cohort-based leadership trips.

Student Learning & High-Impact Practices (HIPs)

Design Outdoor Adventure experiences that align with High-Impact Practices, including experiential learning, reflection, leadership development, and applied skill-building.

Develop and assess learning outcomes tied to leadership competencies, personal growth, teamwork, and decision-making. Partner with campus stakeholders to explore current and future academic or co-curricular integrations where appropriate.

Outdoor Adventure Trips

Design, implement, and assess Outdoor Adventure trips with a primary focus on student learning, leadership development, risk awareness, and broad student access.

Implement cohort-based leadership trip models that promote extended engagement, peer leadership, and progressive skill development.

Oversee all trip logistics including staffing, transportation, budgeting, equipment, and post program evaluation.

Establish scalable trip models that can adapt as enrollment, staffing, and campus priorities shift over time.

Ensure policies, procedures, and risk management practices meet institutional and industry standards. Outdoor Skills Clinics Develop progressive, skill-based clinics that prepare participants for outdoor engagement beyond a single experience.

Use clinics as entry points to trips, leadership pathways, and certification or skill progression models.

Incorporate assessment and feedback to continuously improve clinic content, instruction, and participant experience.

Leadership

Create and deliver a structured leadership development model for Outdoor Adventure student staff, including facilitation, judgment, communication, and professional competencies.

Integrate reflective practice, peer mentoring, and competency-based training into student development efforts.

Align student staff learning with departmental leadership values and evolving student development frameworks.

Collaborate with and assist American Red Cross certified instructors working within the department to coordinate internal and external CPR/First Aid trainings.

Assessment, Planning & Administration

Lead program assessment efforts including participation trends, learning outcomes, and student impact.

Use assessment data to continually enhance programs, inform annual planning, budget development, and long-term direction. Contribute to departmental and divisional strategic initiatives related to student success, engagement, and leadership development.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Education, Sport Management, Exercise Science, Outdoor Recreation, or related field.

Experience: One (1) year of professional experience related to the assigned program area; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required License/Certification (must be obtained within six months of hire if not already held):

• Wilderness First Aid, CPR, First Aid, AED, Bloodborne Pathogen certifications.
• Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI)
• Challenge Course Level I Facilitator (ACCT)
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with a minimum of three (3) years of driving experience.
• Must pass UTEP Defensive Driving Course.
• Additional certifications related to outdoor instruction, climbing, or challenge course facilitation as required by program needs.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree.

Experience in collegiate recreation.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP ) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan . Built around the institution’s core strengths—its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships—the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University’s regional impact and national stature.

What UTEP Offers

Miner Perks and Benefits

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.

Additional Information

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code

• 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at [phone], by email at [e-mail] , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [e-mail] .