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Assistant Director for Experiential Outdoor Education & Adventure

Work type: Staff Full Time

Department:Recreation & Wellbeing

Union:PSU

Categories: Student Affairs & Services

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director for Experiential Outdoor Education and Adventure provides department leadership to create a vision and build an experiential outdoor education and adventure program. Will be responsible for daily management and oversight of adventure-based recreation programs, professional staff and student employees overseeing the operations of those areas. These areas will include outdoor adventure trips/workshops, indoor climbing center, outdoor adventure equipment rental center, challenge course, and management of selected outdoor locations on campus.

Essential Functions

+ Under general direction from the Executive Director of Recreation & Wellbeing and Associate Director for RecWell Programs and Student Development, administers all aspects of an outdoor adventure trip and workshop program, including planning, student staff hiring/training, and assessment.

+ Assists with the implementation of strategies for revenue generation through fee-based programs, and external partnerships.

+ Travels within various outdoor locations and campus worksites using campus vehicles to administer adventure programming and transport supplies.

+ Operates the indoor climbing center including staff hiring/training, route setting, participant management software tracking, and risk management.

+ Administers the outdoor adventure equipment rental center including equipment purchasing, maintenance/repair, and rental management software.

+ Develops and operates a Team and Leadership Development Challenge Course with both high and low elements.

+ Assist in the creation and management of Outdoor Recreation Based Campus Land Management.

+ Develops and administers the budget for all adventure related areas.

+ Regularly reports assessment and statistical data pertaining to operations, participation and staff development.

Other Functions

+ Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.

+ Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.

+ Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.

+ Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

+ Bachelor’s degree.

+ Three (3) years’ experience working in an adventure program setting.

+ Valid driver's license.

+ Knowledge of best practices for adventure programming.

+ Knowledge of current safety and risk management protocols related to adventure programming.

+ Knowledge and best practices in leadership development.

+ Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies.

+ Ability to demonstrate effective customer service skills including but not limited to the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

+ Master’s Degree in Sport Management, Kinesiology, Education, Outdoor/Adventure Education or other relevant discipline.

+ 2 years’ experience working in a Campus Recreation setting.

+ Supervisory experience.

+ Current Wilderness First Aid CPR/AED certification.

+ Current nationally recognized indoor and/or outdoor climbing instructor certification.

+ Current Wilderness First Responder certification.

+ Current nationally recognized water sport instructor certification.

+ Current nationally recognized challenge course instructor certification.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

+ Required to lead programs and training off campus, in wilderness settings, in varied terrain and weather conditions.

+ Some work in a typical office environment but will spend the majority of time in the field.

Work Schedule

+ Typical work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.

+ Required to work some nights and weekends.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Hiring Ranges (https://www.umass.edu/hr/documents/exempt-hiring-ranges)

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please upload your resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain posted until filled, or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Advertised: Jun 30 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Oct 5 2025 Eastern Daylight Time