Outdoor Education Program Assistant

College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University; Collegeville Township (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint John’s University invites applications for a full-time Outdoor Education Program Assistant. The role supports outdoor education programming, supervises student leaders, and coordinates climbing wall and trip activities across fall, winter, and spring terms.

The position emphasizes safety, leadership development, and program assessment within the Outdoor Leadership Center. The successful candidate will train and manage student staff, engage in remote and campus events, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience with rock climbing or challenge course equipment, including belaying, inspecting equipment, and operating at height.
• Experience in outdoor education, environmental education, camp leadership, or a similar field preferred.
• Experience with facilitating teambuilding, conflict resolution, and training people in these activities preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, camping, orienteering, canoeing/kayaking, and wilderness survival.
• Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder training or willingness to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of student leaders in the Outdoor Leadership Center (OLC).
• Provide instruction in leadership development, outdoor skills, teambuilding, trip logistics, and risk management.
• Develop climbing wall student leaders through training in climbing instruction, safety standards, and trip leadership.
• Coordinate community group access to the climbing wall ensuring compliance with standards.
• Supervise climbing wall operations, including equipment inspections and staff training.
• Support pre-orientation programs by training student leaders and coordinating program assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Outdoor education

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Climbing Wall Association standards

Job description

The Outdoor University at Saint John’s University invites applications for a full-time (0.92 FTE), benefit eligible position of Outdoor Education Program Assistant.

The Outdoor Education Program Assistant is responsible for supporting outdoor education programming while working with the Outdoor Education Program Manager. Responsibilities include supervising, supporting, and training students in various areas including campus climbing wall, outdoor orientation and trips, and other event programming. This is an eleven-month position with the possibility of flexible work including four-day work weeks.

Please visit our website https://www.csbsju.edu/outdooru/ for more information about all we offer. Application review will begin in early September with interviews starting mid-September. Position will begin on 1/19/27.

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems to best meet the needs of our community as we educate students to address the most urgent needs of society. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.

CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visit CSBSJU .

The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated.

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day operations of student leaders in the Outdoor Leadership Center (OLC). Provide instruction in leadership development, outdoor skills, teambuilding facilitation, trip logistics, and risk management while supporting the goals of Outdoor University's Curricular Education Plan.

Develop climbing wall student leaders through training in climbing instruction, safety standards, outdoor climbing skills, leadership development, route setting, and trip leadership. Coordinate community group access to the climbing wall and ensure compliance with Climbing Wall Association (CWA) standards and best practices.

Supervise climbing wall operations, including equipment inspections, staff training, working at heights up to 40 feet, and supporting climbing-related programs and events.

Support outdoor pre-orientation programs by training student leaders, assisting with emergency response procedures, and coordinating program assessments that contribute to Outdoor University learning outcomes.

Help plan, train, and attend student trips over fall, winter, and spring breaks which may include travel to wilderness areas, camping, backpacking, canoeing, skiing, rock climbing, and similar activities.

Respond to and address potential emergency situations, possibly in remote wilderness areas.

Recruit, hire, train, and manage outdoor education student staff and volunteers.

Involvement with a range of on-campus events with the intent of facilitating student-leadership development.

Promote Outdoor U programming through the creation and distribution of marketing materials, tabling events, and community outreach.

Assist with the development and revision of training materials, facilitation guides, and operational manuals for adventure trips, student staff training, pre-orientation experiences, climbing wall operations, and the OLC.

Assist in creating and coordinating experiential learning opportunities on and off campus that support the True North Journey, the colleges’ signature four-year student development experience.

Attend and participate in professional conferences, workshops, and training related to outdoor education.

Research and advocate for new student-focused learning opportunities.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent education and experience.

Experience working with rock climbing or challenge course equipment, including belaying, inspecting equipment, and operating at height.

Experience in outdoor education, environmental education, camp leadership, or a similar field preferred.

Experience with facilitating teambuilding, conflict resolution, and training people in these activities preferred.

Demonstrated proficiency in outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, camping, orienteering, canoeing/kayaking, and wilderness survival.

Comfortable recreating, traveling, and camping in remote wilderness areas for extended periods with limited to no cellular service.

Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.

Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges in outdoor settings.

Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate participants and staff.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting ideas clearly to diverse groups.

Basic computer skills and willingness to learn new software and technology platforms.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training or willingness to obtain certification within six months of hire.

Climbing Wall Association Level 2 Instructor certification required within six months of hire.

Candidates must be at least 25 years old to meet insurance requirements for driving students on out-of-state trips. They must also maintain a valid driver’s license and complete a university-sponsored defensive driving program upon hire.

Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight trips as needed.

Physical requirements:

Ability to work indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions.

Ability to stand, walk, hike, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and reach for extended periods of time.

Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.

Ability to participate in and lead outdoor activities that may involve hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, climbing, and other physically demanding activities.

Ability to work at heights and safely utilize fall protection or climbing safety equipment as required, including climbing wall operations up to 40 feet above ground level.

Some travel between the campuses of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Occasional multi-day travel and outdoor camping for student adventure trips, conferences, and related.