Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs (UREC)

Working Title: Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs (UREC)

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Health and Wellbeing

Department: 300034 - University Recreation (UREC)

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $59,000-$64,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 6/12/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

University Recreation (UREC) is currently seeking applicants for the Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs. UREC is a Health & Well-being department within the Student Affairs division. The mission of UREC is to promote and advance healthy lifestyles through educational programs, participation opportunities and supportive services. UREC's qualified staff is committed to excellence and responsive to the developmental needs of their participants. UREC professional staff members are passionate about teaching and working with students as we strive for excellence in building a welcoming atmosphere for every participant, visitor and employee!

Duties and Responsibilities:

STAFF LEADERSHIP: Provides strategic leadership to Adventure & TEAM (Team Empowerment with Adventure for Madison) staff, programs and operations to ensure continued excellence and improvements in making adventure experiences, education and resources accessible for all of the JMU community. Provides supervision, leadership and mentorship to one full-time staff member, a graduate assistant, and over 60 student staff members. Responsible for the effective recruitment, training, and evaluation of all Adventure & TEAM staff.

ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP: Lead all aspects of a comprehensive Adventure & TEAM Program to meet the recreational, educational and leadership development needs of the JMU Community including adventure trips, climbing wall programs, challenge course programs, adventure equipment rentals, and special events. Maintains and builds impactful collaborations with university partners such as Orientation with Madison Orientation Adventure Trips, Counseling Center with Wilderness Therapy Trips, and Center for Multicultural Student Services. Supports departmental and university initiatives through adventure staffing for admissions/orientation events and external group rentals. Maintains certifications and content expertise for all adventure programs and keeps abreast of best practices in the field of collegiate adventure and high ropes programs.

ASSESSMENT: Establish an assessment and evaluation plan for all offerings to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of all offerings. Develop and assess learning outcomes for all program participants and staff training. Conduct periodic assessment to measure customer service and risk management issues. Conducts needs assessments and maintains participation reports to justify current programs, sunset ineffective programs and propose new offerings as appropriate.

FACILITY & RISK MANAGEMENT: Ensures a safe, attractive and clean environment in all adventure spaces including adventure center/storage, atrium climbing wall, and a challenge course (high/low ropes). Prepares work orders for maintenance and repairs and develops proposals for new equipment/space needs. Establish risk management policies and protocols for all adventure programs and facilities in coordination with departmental and university guidelines. Manages records including assumption of risk and medical information. Serves as an active member of the Professional Staff Evening Facility and Program Supervision Team.

ADMINISTRATION: Ensures communication and technology meets program and participant needs through collaboration with the UREC Services Team. Prepare annual budget proposals and manage fiscal resources, recommend and/or requisition purchases for equipment, services and supplies. Collaborates with colleagues in UREC, Student Affairs, and other divisions as appropriate, and is an active member on committees, commissions and task forces as assigned. Participates in staff meetings, retreats and departmental events to support teammates. Supervises the approval of payroll for adventure staff, ensures accurate budget management, and maintains a +/- 2.5% margin for all student employee budgets. Effectively utilizes conferences and other professional development opportunities as tools for staying current in the field and integrating best practices.

Qualifications:

Required:
* Bachelor's degree in related field
* Substantial related experience at a professional level
* Demonstrated supervisory and/or leadership experience
* Risk management experience in an adventure setting
* Instructor-level expertise in at least two of the following adventure program areas: paddle sports, outdoor climbing trips, climbing wall management, hiking/camping, adventure equipment rentals, high ropes course management

Preferred:
* Master's degree in related field
* Experience in adventure programming administration within a campus recreation setting
* Wilderness First Responder certification or equivalent
* Swift Water Rescue Certification and/or Single Pitch Climbing Instructor certification or higher
* One or more of the following: American Canoe Association certification(s), Leave No Trace Educator, Climbing Wall Instructor certification, Association for Challenge Course Technology accredited certification
* Previous supervision and leadership of adventure staff
* Strong organization skills and high attention to detail
* Ability to work collaboratively on a diverse program team

Additional Posting Information:

JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.