Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs

Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs

Job ID: 292585
Location: Georgia College & State Univ
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom < policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct < . For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs is responsible for the planning, organizing, and managing the daily operations of the Outdoor Center. Reporting to the Director of Wellness and Recreation, the Assistant Director provides leadership in program development, staff training, budget oversight, and facility safety and compliance management. This position plays a critical role in advancing outdoor recreation and experiential learning by fostering safe and engaging opportunities for students and the campus community.

Responsibilities

Operations Management - 50
The Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs is responsible for the development and implementation of all Outdoor Center related operations and communications.
- Provide oversight for all Outdoor Center student led programming including leading and facilitating programs
- Assist in the management of office logistics (budget, payroll, invoicing, etc.) related to the operations of all Outdoor Center programs
- Market Outdoor Center programs and services to GC faculty, staff, students; and local and regional community groups and organizations
- Manage website and social media accounts for the Outdoor Center
- Coordinate personnel management for Outdoor Center contract staff
- Supervise and train Outdoor Center program staff
- Assist in the development of a strategic plan for expanding professional development programs for outdoor and experiential educators as well as institutional and local community outdoor recreation programs
- Collaborate with existing GC programs to enhance the public liberal arts mission.

Facilities Management - 15
- Provide management oversight to Lake Laurel Campus as well as outdoor education equipment and facilities including reservations, purchasing, inspection and maintenance of equipment
- Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate compliance with industry standard requirements for the Outdoor Center
- Complete annual assessment for Georgia College on Outdoor Center activities
- Implement, supervise and maintain the Information Security Plan for the Outdoor Center

Program Management - 30
- Plans, organizes, implements, directs, evaluates, and promotes a diverse range of recreation and wellness programs and services that support student engagement, health, and well-being.
- Hire, trains, schedules, and evaluate student staff to ensure effective program delivery and positive participant experience.
- Oversee the proper use, maintenance, and inventory of equipment, facilities, and program resources to ensure safety, accessibility, and operational excellence.
- Develops, monitors, and manages program budgets; ensures fiscal responsibility and alignment with departmental goals and objectives.

Other duties and responsibilities - 5
Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to serving on division or campus committees, develop initiatives for the department and division, and implementing special projects

All employees within the Division of Student Life will assist with at least three (3) student events/programs per semester that occur outside of regular business hours.
Examples of events/programs which satisfy the event service requirement include but are not limited to:
Fall - Week of Welcome, Move-In days, Family Weekend
Spring - Homecoming, Spring Concert, Family Day, preview days, and Junior Day.
The specific list of eligible events/programs for each semester will be maintained and communicated by the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Education, Health and Human Performance, or related field

Required Experience
Three years related experience
CPR and First Aid Certification
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire)

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's degree in Outdoor Education, Health and Human Performance, or related field

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Work independently and as a team.

Provide excellent service to internal and external customers.

Build, develop, and cultivate relationships across campus with a variety of constituents.

Multitask and complete tasks in a timely manner.

Must possess hard skills involving technical expertise in various outdoor activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, whitewater, caving, camping, and canoeing as well as knowledge related to clothing & equipment, basic backcountry travel, safety & risk management, and wilderness emergency procedures and treatment.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of Department operations and goals.

SKILLS
Self-motivated, energetic, service-minded, and adept at solving problems.

Excellent organizational, management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.

Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification

To apply, visit