Job Description

Climbing Wall Supervisor

Application Deadline: 20 October 2026

Department: SRAC Climbing Wall

Employment Type: Part Time

Location: Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center

Reporting To: Kellen Moczynski

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.

Mission

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 Union is known for being a great place to work and build a career. This is an outstanding opportunity to help us grow in a sustainable and thoughtful way, to provide vision, leadership, and administrative direction to students, as part of The Student Union and student engagement at San Jose State University. Under the supervision of the Climbing Wall and Team-Building Supervisor, the Climbing Wall Supervisor is responsible for the direct oversight of daily operations at the climbing wall and bouldering area. Some of these responsibilities include the instruction of climbing courses, ensuring physical and mental safety of all climbers and staff, ensuring that all equipment is safe to use and is being used properly, and fostering an inclusive and welcoming community at the climbing area through individual interactions, programs and activities. The Climbing Wall Supervisor is additionally responsible for working with, mentoring, and delegating tasks to the Climbing Wall Attendants in addition to communicating and collaborating with Outdoor Adventures Staff, and all other Spartan Recreation facilities and program staffs.

Essential Functions and Tasks

• Responsible for preventing emergencies by monitoring the form and technique of climbers, and enforcing all Spartan Recreation rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Respond to all injuries and assist in immediate first aid and proper emergency procedures.
• Responsible for building an inclusive, welcoming, and fun climbing community through individual interactions, programs, and activities.
• Accountable for the day-to-day operations of the climbing wall including opening and closing procedures, equipment inspections, instruction of climbing courses, and route setting.
• Responsible for developing, facilitating, setting up, and taking down climbing programs and events with the assistance of Climbing Wall Attendants.
• Assist the Climbing Wall and Team-Building Supervisor with the recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluation of Climbing Wall Attendants.
• Responsible for delegating tasks to Climbing Wall Attendants and other Climbing Wall Supervisors to make sure that all details surrounding customer service, instruction, community building and safety are met, completed and/or followed during every shift.
• Demonstrate safe belaying and climbing practices according to those put in place by Spartan Recreation and climbing industry standards at all times.
• Communicate effectively with patrons, staff and spectators.
• Address customer service-related questions in a positive manner.
• Properly communicate and document any incidents or accidents Climbing Wall and Team-Building Supervisor and Spartan Recreation Facility supervisor and professional staff.
• Review inventory and maintenance logs and report any deficiencies to the Climbing Wall and Team-Building Supervisor
• Assist Climbing Wall and Team-Building Supervisor in leading in-house climbing specific meetings, trainings, and workshops.
• Attend all regularly scheduled staff meetings, training days, and workshops.
• Assist in the planning, development, facilitation, and set up/tear down of Team Building operations
• Respond to emergency situations by administering appropriate first aid and/or CPR/AED procedures.
• Ensure all equipment is used in an appropriate manner that promotes safety and is stored properly.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• CWI Climbing Wall Instructor Level 3 or Equivalent training preferred or must complete within three months of hire.
• Must attend in house climbing training program.
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification, American Red Cross preferred. Online certifications will not be accepted.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and teach effectively.
• Minimum of 6 months ropes and/or climbing experience required.
• Experience supervising part-time or student staff preferred.
• 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)

• Desire to work in Spartan Recreation and as part of a team.
• Interpret and implement proper policies and procedures for climbing area.
• Reliable, self-motivated; able to solve problems and make decisions based on SJSU mission and guiding principles.
• Respond to emergency situations by administering appropriate first aid and/or CPR/AED procedures.
• Ensure all equipment is used in an appropriate manner that promotes safety and is stored properly.
• Positive attitude, self-control, and demeanor in handling emergency and stressful situations.
• Must be professional, organized and detail-oriented. Ability to collaborate with other departments on multiple projects while staying focused and on task.
• Excellent customer service, ability to manage conflicts, and create an inclusive environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies.
• Interpret and implement proper policies and procedures for all emergencies.
• Maintain a professional appearance and attitude.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a diverse community clientele.
• Able to lift 45 pounds safely and stand for an extended period of time.

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 CSULearning@sjsu.edu

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.