Job Description

As a professional within the Campus Recreation Department, the Coordinator of Outdoor Adventures provides leadership for the Outdoor Adventures (OA) program— including the trip program, bouldering wall, outdoor gear rental service, and Mendums Pond Recreation Area. The coordinator uses a student‑development approach when supervising student staff, ensures all programs follow Campus Recreation and University risk management protocols, and addresses disciplinary situations according to UNH policies. The Coordinator reports directly to the Campus Recreation Associate Director.

Under the shared governance model between the Department of Recreation Management & Policy (RMP) and Campus Recreation, the Coordinator represents Campus Recreation on the Lifetime Activity Program (LAP) Committee for matters related to OUT courses, offering operational expertise in facilities, equipment, transportation, risk management, and instructor support. As part of their regular responsibilities, the Coordinator also teaches one credit-bearing OUT course each semester. This course serves as the primary training and assessment platform for Outdoor Adventures staff, with a focus on field leadership, technical proficiency, and risk management.

Job Duties:

Outdoor Adventures Program Leadership & Risk Management (30%)

• Administer the CREC Outdoor Adventures trip program, including program design, leader development pathways, scheduling, logistics, and post‑program assessment.

• Coordinate the development and execution of trip programs that align with Campus Recreation goals.

• Ensure compliance with all Campus Recreation and University risk management policies related to Outdoor Adventures, academic programs, and student groups engaged in outdoor pursuits; facilitate ongoing staff training in risk management practices for OA Wilderness Leaders.

• Collaborate with the LAP Committee and the RMP Program Director on operational components of OUT courses, including facilities access, equipment support, transportation, and field logistics, to ensure alignment with the shared governance model and unified risk expectations.

• Provide consultation and guidance to student groups engaging in outdoor pursuits to promote safe practices, responsible planning, and alignment with university risk management expectations.

Facility Operations & Staff Management – Mendums Pond (20%)

• Coordinate daily operations, seasonal maintenance, and capital projects at Mendums Pond Recreation Area.

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff responsible for facility operations.

• Manage equipment inventory, maintenance, and purchasing needs for the site.

• Collaborate with other departments on facility use, rentals, partnerships, and special events.

• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures consistent with university, state, and municipal regulations.

Equipment & Instructional Operations Management (15%)

• Oversee inventory, maintenance, and replacement of equipment.

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff for rental service.

• Organize and collaborate on bouldering competitions and instructional offerings in collaboration with instructional and youth programs.

• Work collaboratively with the OUT program contact to ensure bouldering wall staff receive training that aligns with OUT course skill, safety, and instructional standards.

• Work with OLM staff to ensure open‑climb offerings align with shared risk and operational standards for the Hamel Recreation Center Bouldering Wall.

• Administer the CREC OA gear room, developing standardized systems for storage, maintenance workflows, and equipment tracking that support both OA programming and OUT course field needs.

Academic Instruction & Applied Field Leadership Training (15%)

• Teach credit-bearing OUT course semesterly as part of regular responsibilities, focused on developing Outdoor Pursuit Leader competencies in technical skills, leadership, judgment, and risk management.

• Coordinate course planning with the RMP OUT program contact to ensure alignment with program expectations and field-based operational standards.

Administrative Operations & Strategic Planning (20%)

• Promote the effective and responsible use of funding, personnel, facilities, and time across Outdoor Adventures operations.

• Partner with Campus Recreation marketing staff to support promotion of Outdoor Adventures programs and services.

• Serve on Campus Recreation and university committees as appropriate, including representing CREC on the LAP Committee related to OUT course governance, and contribute insight regarding facilities, equipment, transportation, staff training, and operational integration.

• Contribute to the development of short- and long-range plans for Outdoor Adventures programs and facilities.

• Adhere to university protocols related to hiring, purchasing, documentation, and administrative processes.

• Collect, review, and prepare data to inform program evaluation, reporting, and operational decision-making.

• Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain current knowledge in outdoor recreation, risk management, leadership development, and industry standards.

• Perform other duties as assigned as necessitated by the Division of Student Life.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Education, Experiential Education or related field and two years experience in a supervisory programmatic position in outdoor/adventure recreation (Grad. Assistant experience acceptable)

• Thorough knowledge of outdoor recreation and their organization and administration

• Knowledge of the area of equipment and facility management and maintenance

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

• CPR/First Aid and AED, Wilderness medicine certifications (i.e. WFR, WEMT) within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Outdoor Education, Outdoor Recreation or a related field desirable.
  Two or more years of experience in a supervisory programmatic position in an outdoor pre-orientation program, wilderness outings program, and leadership development in a college or university setting preferred.

• Strong background in paddle sports, backpacking, camping, hiking, and orienteering. Willingness to work nights, weekends, and extended periods. Experience in new program implementation and supervision.

• Demonstrated communication skills.
  Current driver’s license, ability to obtain Defensive Driving Certification.

• Demonstrated strong customer service skills.

• Professional certifications in climbing, paddle sports, challenge course supervision/management; membership in AORE and NIRSA desired.

Applicant Instructions:

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents)

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. All UNH youth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Compensation Pay Range:

$43,710.00 - $77,920.00

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here:USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

Location:

Durham