Sea Kayak and Tripping Coordinator

About the Job

The Sea Kayak and Tripping Coordinator will design, create, plan, implement and evaluate the Recreational Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP) Sea Kayak and Outdoor Trips programs. This role develops programs with a wide range of audiences in mind, including UMD students, community members, external organizations, and underrepresented populations. This position is responsible for instruction in sea kayak skills, outdoor education and outdoor skills.

The Sea Kayak and Tripping Coordinator supports the mission and activities of RSOP through whole‑unit, campus and community involvement.

Located at the University of Minnesota Duluth, this in‑person position extends outside of the office to provide staff training, trip guiding, and outdoor skills instruction in settings that include Lake Superior, Apostle Islands, Duluth Harbor, St. Louis River Estuary, Bagley Nature Center, Boulder Lake ELC, etc. Sea kayak and grounds maintenance occur at UMD's Boat Shed on Park Point and our Surf Shack at the mouth of the Lester River (UMD Limnology Building).

In order to meet the demands and expectations of this position, work hours may vary greatly from day‑to‑day, week‑to‑week and season‑to‑season, and include some evenings and weekends. This position is eligible for overtime pay.

Salary Range: $50,000.00 – $60,000.00 annually.

To assess that the candidates have the necessary on‑water sea kayaking skills to safely guide, instruct, and train students and staff, a short paddle outing will be part of the interview process for finalists, contingent on wind and weather, following American Canoe Association venue limits for a Level 3 Certified Coastal Kayak Instructor.

• Sea Kayak Program Coordination and Delivery – 35%
  • Teach sea kayaking courses to UMD students and the regional community (e.g. Basic Strokes and Rescues, Rolling and Bracing, etc.)
  • Lead outings as needed for UMD students, regional youth camp partners, and the greater regional community. Outings could include harbor tours, extended sea kayak camping trips, semester break trips (October and March), and local and regional day trips to premier paddling locations on Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands, and the St. Louis River Estuary.
  • Conduct American Canoe Association Skills Assessments and Instructor Certification Workshops in coastal kayaking.
  • Assemble calendar of sea kayak programs in partnership with student staff (school year, student‑facing programs), and local and regional partners (summer contracts for single and multi‑day programs).
  • Maintain, improve, identify long‑term needs of RSOP off‑campus facilities and all sea kayaking equipment.
  • Teach academic courses that could include sea kayaking and outdoor education (0–4 credits per semester on a rotating basis).
• Outdoor Trips Program Coordination and Delivery – 35%
  • Plan and coordinate First‑Year Outdoor Trips logistics: venue and transportation booking, guide recruitment and hiring, planning the format of programs, and homebase support during First Year Trips.
  • Assist with planning, coordination, and implementation of outdoor trips throughout the year to include school‑year overnights and break trips. This may occasionally include guiding.
  • Instruct and assist with other outdoor and adventure education programs as experience and expertise allows, which could include surf, snow kite, whitewater paddling, flatwater canoeing, climbing, winter camping, naturalist programs, etc.
• Student Supervision and Development – 20%
  • Recruit, hire and supervise student‑employees for sea kayaking and tripping roles.
  • Train in sea kayak staff, and coordinate the Outdoor Program professional team to deliver training and development to student staff and volunteers who guide trips, including first‑year trips, break trips, and OP school‑year program offerings.
  • Actively contribute to increasing inclusiveness of all RSOP activities through staff training, outreach and relationship building with diverse and underrepresented audiences.
  • Approve student staff work hours.
  • Assist with RSOP recognition events.
• Administratio…