Outdoor Education Program Assistant

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University; Saint Joseph (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan contributions

Paid holidays

Job summary

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University is hiring an Outdoor Education Program Assistant to support Outdoor University programming. The role involves supervising student leaders, training staff, coordinating climbing wall activities, and assisting with trips and pre‑orientation programs.

This eleven‑month, full‑time position may offer four‑day work weeks and flexible scheduling. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and outdoor leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience with rock climbing or challenge course equipment preferred.
• Experience in outdoor education or camp leadership preferred.
• Ability to lead teambuilding, training, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of student leaders in the Outdoor Leadership Center.
• Train climbing wall student leaders in instruction, safety, and trip leadership.
• Supervise climbing wall operations and ensure inspections and safety standards.
• Assist with pre-orientation programs and emergency response procedures.
• Coordinate student trips and travel for fall, winter, and spring breaks.
• Respond to emergencies, including remote wilderness scenarios.
• Recruit, hire, and manage outdoor education student staff and volunteers.
• Support event planning and marketing for Outdoor University programming.
• Develop and revise training materials and trip manuals.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

Outdoor leadership

Climbing safety

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Trail/rope safety equipment

Job description

Position Summary

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 11/2/26.

Why Join Us?

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 18 Paid Holidays Annually
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Remission for Eligible Dependents
• Employer Contributions to a Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program with access to free or discounted counseling, legal guidance, financial coaching, and more

Join a committed team dedicated to safety, community, and service in a supportive and values-driven work environment.

To Learn More About Our Benefits

Visit Csbsju.edu/jobs.

Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. 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

Minimum 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.

Travel Requirements

• 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.

To Apply

If you require an accommodation to participate in the SJU hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

It is the policy of SJU to conduct a pre‑employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check. Saint John's University also utilizes E-Verify as part of its onboarding process to confirm work authorization.

Saint John's University is an Affidative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Affidative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.