Assistant Director of Outdoor Adventures

Assistant Director of Outdoor Adventures

Assistant Director of Outdoor Adventures at Duke University

Join Duke University’s Outdoor Adventures program to supervise and engage 60 part‑time student staff while advancing the student experience and success.

• Provide the Duke community with exceptional outdoor recreation programs while serving as a champion for recreation, health, wellness and outdoor education at Duke University.
• Assist with marketing, budgeting, strategic planning, and deliberate development of Duke Outdoor Adventures.
• Manage the outdoor equipment rental operations including inventory, inspections, maintenance, budget tracking and purchasing; coordinate group rentals and special events.
• Provide supervision of indoor climbing wall operations, maintenance, and staff development including evening and weekend hours; assist with planning and implementation of special events at the wall.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry standards, emerging trends and best practices related to risk management in collegiate rock wall facilities.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate part‑time employees on proper operating policies and procedures for the rock wall and equipment rental program.
• Assist with the Outdoor Adventures Trips program; co‑lead outdoor trips including rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, canoeing, caving, skiing/snowboarding, etc.
• Practice proper risk‑management policies and procedures set forth by the Department of Recreation and Physical Education; update Outdoor Adventure Policies as needed.
• Work supportively, collaboratively and diplomatically with colleagues, faculty, patrons and students inside and outside the department.
• Collaborate with campus partners to provide consultation for outdoor adventure programs, including climbing wall events, equipment rentals, trip planning, risk‑management, team building, staff development and program advising.
• Serve as an active member of the Recreation and Physical Education team by upholding the Team Charter and Team Values.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience:
  
  Staff management and development; trip leading in three or more activities (backpacking, rock‑climbing, white‑water kayaking, sea kayaking, mountain biking, stand‑up paddle boarding); ability to train staff in at least two of these activities.
• Certification: CPR/AED and Wilderness First Responder within 3 months of hire.
• Skills:
  
  Good judgment, independent thinking, sound decision‑making for everyday emergency situations.

• Education:
  
  Master’s degree in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Physical Education, Sport Management or related field.
• Experience:
  
  Two or more years full‑time professional experience developing outdoor adventure programming in a collegiate recreation setting; experience in a culturally diverse environment; risk‑management administration; equipment rental procedures; adventure‑based trip management.
• Certifications:
  
  ACA, AMGA, AAI, PCIA, ACCT, LNT, WMI, SOLO or similar.
• Software:
  Experience with Fusion or other recreation management software.
• Other:
  Route setting for climbing competitions, wall maintenance, equipment inventory and maintenance.

• Valid driving license.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Onsite work; evenings and weekends regularly part of hours.

Full‑time, onsite position under the direct supervision of the Director of Outdoor Adventures. Supervises 60+ student employees and assists in developing, directing, and evaluating a comprehensive outdoor adventure program.

• Competitive health insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off.
• Retirement programs with employer contributions.
• Tuition assistance for employees and their children.
• Additional family‑friendly and cultural programs.

Duke University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

USD $55,000.00 to $60,000.00 annually.

For best consideration, apply by the end of February.