Recreation and Sport Operations: Outdoor Recreation Program Manager

POSITION:

A full-time, 11-month academic staff position is available in the department of Recreation & Sport Operations. The official title for this position is Outdoor Recreation Program Manager. The Outdoor Recreation Program Manager is responsible for the comprehensive management of the Environmental Adventure Center, including the following program areas: Eagle’s View Challenge Ropes Course, Indoor Rope Wall, Bouldering Wall, Outdoor Equipment Rental Center, Adventure Trips Program, Freshman Connection Program, Indoor Archery Range, Golf Simulator, Billiards’s area, Disc Golf Course, and the Bike Maintenance Program. Responsibilities include scheduling, budget development, risk management, marketing, recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of student employees. This position assists in long range planning and implementation of departmental programming as it relates to the overall mission within the Division of Enrollment Management. The salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The intended start date is May 12, 2025.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience in a comprehensive outdoor recreation program.
• Current Wilderness First Responder.
• Current Single Pitch Climbing Instructor for the PCIA or AMGA.
• Current Climbing Wall Instructor for the PCIA or AMGA.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Outdoor Recreation, Sport Management, Parks and Recreation, Kinesiology, Business, Public Administration, or related field.
• 3 years of experience in a comprehensive outdoor recreation program.
• 5 years of experience in higher education.
• Current Level I Challenge Course Facilitator.
• Willing to begin the Course Provider Training track as a Single Pitch Climbing Instructor for the PCIA or AMGA.
• Willing to begin the Course Provider Training track as a Climbing Wall Instructor for the PCIA or AMGA.
• Willing to become a Red Cross First Aid and Safety Instructor.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Student Supervision

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise student managers, adventure trip leaders, climbing instructors, route setters, ropes course facilitators, archery range officers, and customer service representatives.
• Administer student performance evaluations each semester.
• Oversee payroll of student staff.
• Schedule and manage bi-weekly meetings.
• Mentor in all areas of the program.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate annually the employee and operations manual.

Adventure Trips Program

• Supervise the development of trip itineraries, equipment lists, menus, accommodations, transportation, finances, and other necessary details involved in a successful trip.
• Develop training workshops, clinics, and other special events related to the trips program.
• Schedule routine maintenance for all trailers and vehicles.

Climbing Program

• Develop and administer comprehensive training programs, workshops, in accordance with the Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) or American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).
• Perform and document annual inspections and evaluation of all structures and hardware, to conform to the standards of the Climbing Wall Association and Industry Standards.
• Advise the Eau Climbers Club Sport.

Outdoor Equipment Rental Center

• Provide instruction and oversight of rental and equipment operations including inventory controls, maintenance, cleaning, and customer service.
• Capital planning for equipment purchasing.
• Bid investigation, purchase, monitor, repair, and inventory of all rental and program specific equipment (rental center, trips program, climbing programs, archery, bike shop, ropes course).

Eagle’s View Challenge Ropes Course

• Develop and manage all aspects of the team building program ranging from short to full-day programs for student organizations, departments, and external groups to accomplish desired outcomes.
• Plan, design and evaluate leadership programs and facilitate activities.
• Prepare contracts and send invoices to clients.
• Develop and administer comprehensive training programs, workshops, and re-certification.
• Perform and document quarterly inspections and evaluations of all structures and hardware, to conform to the standards of the Association of Challenge Course Technology.

Freshman Connection Program

• Schedule and evaluate trips and emphasize safety and liability issues.
• Develop trip itineraries, equipment lists, menus, transportation, finances, and other necessary details involved in a successful trip.
• Advertise and market the program in collaboration with the Advising, Retention + Career Center.
• Coordinate with Housing and Dinning Services.

Administration

• Prepare, present, and administer budget to include student payroll, equipment, and programming.
• Assist with long-range strategic planning and assessment; maintain accurate participant and program data for annual reports.
• Manage the Online and POS system (Fusion).
• Prepare and administer daily accounting to include cash reconciliation and deposits.
• Develop and execute an integrated marketing plan to increase awareness of programs and services in coordination with the student marketing team.

University Recreation and Sport Operations

• Initiate collaborations with the Student Office of Sustainability, Services for Students with Disabilities, Housing, Activities, Involvement, and Leadership, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Multicultural Student Services, and other campus partners departments to develop and implement programs and events that are inclusive and contribute to student success.
• Actively participate in professional development activities.
• Assist with Jigs Up and Shamrock Shuffle fundraisers.
• Assist with Tour De’ Rec, Rec Connect, and other Blugold Welcome events.
• Participate in campus committees that directly work with Recreation and Sport Operations.
• Instruct Red Cross First Aid and CPR courses.

THE UNIT:

Recreation and Sport Operations provides a variety of programs and services to meet the needs and interests of the University community. Specific programs include Group Exercise, Fitness, Adventure Trips, Archery, Climbing Programs, Open Recreation, Massage Therapy, Intramural Sports, Club Sports, Esports, Special Events, Wellness Education, and Marketing.

All upper campus indoor and outdoor sport recreation facilities are managed by Recreation and Sport Operations. These facilities include McPhee Center/Ade Olson Addition, Hilltop Recreation Center, Crest Fitness Center, Eagle’s View Challenge Ropes Course, Simpson Fields, Towers Field, Bridgman basketball courts, and Bollinger Fields.

UNIVERSITY and EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY:

UW-Eau Claire, an institution of approximately 9,000 students and 1,200 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as atop comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. To learn more about UWEC, visit https://www.uwec.edu/about/work-uw-eau-claire.

The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools, a vibrant arts scene and local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Applications are submitted electronically. Please follow instructions found on the following UW-Eau Claire Website: https://www.uwec.edu/employment-opportunities. You must create an account and login before you can apply.  If you have not yet registered, click on the "Click here to Register" link to begin the registration process. If you are already a registered user, input your "User Name" and "Password" and select "Login."  Click the link to the Recreation and Sport Operations: Outdoor Recreation Program Manager position (Job ID #20547) and then click the "Apply Now" button to submit your application electronically.  Your application will not be considered complete until all required documents are attached and all required fields are completed.  Please be sure you have included the following in PDF format:

• Letter of application
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three references

Please direct requests for additional information to: Brittany Wold, woldbn@uwec.edu

To ensure consideration, completed applications must be received by April 11, 2025. However, screening may continue until position is filled. The university reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process. Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is  limited, the   University Police want students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime.  Visit Campus Security and Fire Report  (https://www.uwec.edu/files/8/annual-security-report.pdf) .  Also visit our Campus Security Authority policy (https://www.uwec.edu/files/787/CleryCompliancePolicy.pdf).

UW-Eau Claire is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disability employer.