Outdoor Programs Coordinator

Alaska Pacific; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage is seeking an experienced outdoor programs administrator to oversee trips, clinics, and the Climbing Wall, plus student staff.

This role emphasizes safety, risk management, program development, and coordination with university offices; requires bachelor's in recreation or related field, with 2 years guiding outdoors, CPR/First Aid/WFR, and a valid driver's license. Evening/weekend work may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Outdoor Studies, or related field.
• 2 years’ experience guiding/instructing outdoors.
• Current CPR and First Aid and Wilderness First Responder Certifications are required.
• Current and valid driver’s license. May require driving history check and driving test.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Physical ability to work in harsh outdoor environments and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the program: develop new programs and manage trips and clinics; oversee climbing wall, weight room, and staff; manage equipment and rental program.
• Oversee risk management of facilities and field outings; budget officer; develop courses and trips; coordinate outdoor programs for schedules; obtain permits.
• Serve as member of Emergency Response & Risk management Committee; in-town coordinator for trips; risk manager for clinics and trips.
• Supervise student staff: recruit, hire, train, schedule, evaluate, and process payroll for staff.
• Run the Student Leadership Program: design leadership training for students to lead outdoor trips.
• Plan and evaluate programs: track participation, rentals, and programming; collect evaluations.

Skills

Outdoor leadership

Risk management

Teamwork

Communication

Detail orientation

Healthy lifestyle

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Outdoor Studies, or related field

Job description

This position provides outdoor recreational trips, clinics, resources, and other outdoor services for members of the APU Community to get outside and enjoy the wild areas of Alaska.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

This position is responsible for program management and development as well as overseeing and managing facilities and student employees. Most job duties will be administrative in addition to guiding trips and classes periodically.

• Manages the daily operations of the program: Develop new programs and manage current trips and clinics. Oversees overall management of the Climbing Wall and student staff. Works with the Director of Recreational Programs to oversee Weight Room facility. Manages equipment room staff, purchases/maintains equipment and manages the operation of the rental program.
• Oversees Risk Management of facilities & field outings: Serves as Budget Officer for operating budget and Student Government Budget. Develop courses/trips in a variety of skill sets including XC skiing, ice climbing, rafting, backpacking, sea- kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, etc. Helps to create Outdoor Programs for the Fall and Spring Semester Schedules. Plans Annual Spring Break Trips. Coordinates special summer programs designed to aid with the recruitment and retention efforts of the University. Oversee outdoor field trips for academic courses. Obtains permitting for the above programs with state, federal, BLM and other public land agencies.
• Serves as a member of the Emergency Response & Risk management Committee for the University: Serves as In-town Coordinator for trips off campus. Serves as principal Risk Manager for all Outdoor Program clinics and trips.
• Supervises student staff positions: Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training of staff, as well as all scheduling, management, performance evaluation, and payroll processing for assorted jobs; field instructors, on-campus instructors, facility monitors, equipment room technicians, and student programmers.
• Runs the Student Leadership Program: Design curriculum for leadership training for students to lead/assist outdoor trips/clinics.
• Plans and Evaluates Programs: Uses spreadsheets to track participation, rentals, patrons, and programming numbers. Distributes, collects, and summarizes evaluations by participants, staff, and community.
• Works as a team with other groups and departments to meet university objectives.
• Designs and implements Policies and Procedures when needed to help the program run smoothly.
• The program emphasizes safety and leave-no-trace practices while facilitating relationships with others and the environment through land, water, and snow-based activities.
• KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
• Skill in the following outdoor activities: Sea Kayaking, Climbing, Rafting, Canoeing, Backpacking, Nordic skiing and Alpine Skiing,
• Skill in implementing successful risk management and safety protocols associated with outdoor activities.
• Skill in both working as a team as well as independently.
• Skill in energetic leadership style.
• Skill in both written and verbal communication.
• Skill in attention to detail and organization.
• Skill in promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION
• Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Outdoor Studies, or related field.
• MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION
• Non-Supervisory: Two (2) years’ experience guiding/instructing outdoors.
• MINIMUM CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION
• Current CPR and First Aid and Wilderness First Responder Certifications are required.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Current and valid driver’s license required. Ability to pass a driving history check and driving test. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• The following demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Works in office areas as well as in cold, windy, and sometimes dark outdoor environments during the harshest months of the year in temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. Must be able to lift, push, pull and move a minimum of 50 pounds. Interacts with student athletes, family members, staff, faculty, patrons, and emergency personnel in a variety of conditions and circumstances including inclement weather.