Trip Supervisor

SJSU Student Union; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

The Student Outdoor Adventures Trip Supervisor at The Student Union, Inc. oversees wilderness trips and programs, emphasizing safety and inclusive leadership for student participants in a university setting.

Responsibilities include coordinating itineraries, communicating with participants, and ensuring equipment is safe and properly used, while mentoring Outdoor Adventure Trip Leaders and maintaining program quality.

Qualifications

• Current Wilderness First Responder certification; NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute preferred.
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification; American Red Cross preferred.
• Must be a matriculated SJSU student enrolled at least half-time during the term.

Responsibilities

• Lead outdoor adventures trips and programs; ensure safety and inclusivity.
• Oversee equipment safety and upkeep for OA programs.
• Coordinate pre/post-trip logistics: itineraries, permits, communications, and reports.
• Assist in recruiting, training, and evaluating Outdoor Adventure Trip Leaders.
• Follow Leave No Trace, Wilderness Safety, and Conservation Principles.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Wilderness First Responder

First Aid/CPR/AED

SJSU student

Education

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute preferred

Job description

Trip Supervisor

Application Deadline: 1 December 2026

Department: SRAC Outdoor Adventures

Employment Type: Part Time

Location: Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center

Reporting To: Cadence Railsback

Compensation: $20.50 - $23.25 / hour

Description

Position Overview

The Student Union, Inc. is 501(c)(3) nonprofit auxiliary that maintains three major facilities at San Jose State University in downtown San Jose, California. These facilities include the Diaz Compean Student Union Building, the Provident Credit Union Event Center, and the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center. The Student Union, Inc. functions as part of the Student Affairs Division on campus, and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of a student majority, faculty, and administrators.

The Student Union, Inc. of San Jose State University supports the development, growth, and well-being of students and the campus community by providing diverse programs, desired services, and quality facilities to enhance the collegiate experience.

Job Summary

The Student Outdoor Adventures Trip Supervisor is responsible for the leadership, implementation, and direct oversight of outdoor adventures trips and programs. Some of these responsibilities include the instruction of wilderness skills, ensuring the physical and mental safety of all participants and staff, ensuring that equipment is safe to use and is being used properly, and fostering an inclusive and welcoming community through individual interactions, programs, and activities.

Essential Functions and Tasks

• Responsible for program safety and preventing emergencies by following and enforcing safety parameters and logistics set forth by the OA Leader Handbook in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Student Union.
• Responsible for creating an environment of learning, physical and psychological safety, and quality service on all OA programmatic offerings.
• Responsible for coordinating pre-trip and post-trip administration tasks including but not limited to: designing itineraries, communicating with participants, marketing, reserving permits, cleaning and repairing equipment, reviewing participant evaluations, and writing trip-end reports.
• Assist the Outdoor Adventures Manager with the recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluation of the Outdoor Adventure Trip Leaders.
• Ensure that equipment used on programs is utilized safely.
• Follow guidelines of Leave No Trace, Wilderness Safety Guidelines, and Conservation Principles.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings, training days, and workshops.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Wilderness First Responder certification, NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute preferred.
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification, American Red Cross preferred. Online certifications will not be accepted. (May be obtained as part of training/onboarding.)
• Must be a matriculated SJSU student and continuously enrolled at least half-time* during the academic term.
  • *Half-time is defined as follows: Enrollment Status Half-time Units Undergraduate and Post baccalaureate Students 6.0-8.0 hours/semester

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of outdoor adventures policies and procedures and ability to manage situations which require resolution and problem solving.
• Ability to work in conditions that are outside in extreme conditions with indirect supervision.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, ability to manage conflicts.
• In general, the position works a schedule based on business needs and requires early morning, evening and weekend work, including overnight stays on outdoor trips.

Work Requirements

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The position works in an indoor, recreation facility program-oriented environment.
  • The physical demands of this position are described below
    • Sitting, walking, twisting, bending, climbing, pulling, pushing, squatting, crawling, kneeling, balancing, reaching, and coordination (eye, hand, foot).
    • Fall (Slip, Trip) Conditions that result in falls (impacts) from height or traditional walking and playing surfaces.
    • Lifting and carrying, often 10-25lbs, frequently 26-50lbs, occasionally 50- 75 lbs.
    • Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
    • Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrists to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
• In general, the position works a schedule based on business needs 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, and may require evening and weekend work as needed.
  • When school is in session - may work up to, but not in excess of 20 hours per week (among all concurrent positions).
  • When classes are not in session (i.e. summer break) may work up to, but not in excess of 40 hours per week.
• This position is non-exempt from the provisions of Section 1 of the California Industrial Welfare Commission Orders.

Employment Information & Policies

Benefits

This position is employed through the Student Union at San Jose State University which offers employees to receive 40 hours of sick pay during the calendar year.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

The Student Union of San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. The Student Union and SJSU have a firm and unambiguous commitment to the active elimination of discrimination, and the affirmative recruitment of a diverse, multi-racial community of students, faculty and staff.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Student Union employees are required to undergo and complete a successful background check that includes verification of employment and education, as well as a check of criminal records for employment. Candidates for positions where the employee will come in regular contact with minors and cash management will be required to be fingerprinted. This policy includes emergency hires and may also be applicable to volunteers depending on the work performed. In some cases, the background check will include a credit check and/or a Department of Motor Vehicles check, as well as a check of licenses and certificates when applicable. All background checks are conducted through the Student Union third-party vendor, Accurate Background.

California State University (CSU) Learning and Development

Within the first month, all employees are required to complete the following compliance online training session through CSU Learn, the University’s employee training platform. Employees will be enrolled in the training soon after their appointment is processed and will be notified via email from [e-mail]

1. CSU – Injury and Illness Prevention Program
2. CSU – Preventing Discrimination and Harassment for Non-Supervisors
3. CSU – Sexual Misconduct Prevention Program (Title IX) – required within the first 6 months of hire
4. Data Security and FERPA

California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act

All Student Union at San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.