The Division of Student Life at West Virginia University is seeking applications for an Outdoor Education Center Program Manager for Adventure WV. This position works at the direction of the Adventure WV Associate Director and Program Coordinator on four key areas of Adventure WV operations: Outdoor Education Center facility operations, Outdoor Education Center program management, Outdoor Education Center program design and delivery, and Outdoor Education Center student staff training, certification, and management. In all of these areas, the Outdoor Education Center Program Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant policies, keeping detailed and accessible records, and is timely and thorough in communication and task completion. This position also serves as a contributing member of the AWV team, working on program priority projects (i.e. First Year Trips, Welcome Week, Fall Adventure Activities) and serving as On-Call personnel.

In order to be successful in this position, the ideal candidate will:

Facility Operations

• Manage all facilities, gear and program resources that are associated with the Adventure WV Outdoor Education Center and other Adventure WV facilities as needed. Adventure WV, and subsequently the WVU Outdoor Education Center, has significant physical equipment and structural assets. Equipment and facilities include but are not limited to the WVU Challenge Course and all assigned equipment, the WVU Zip-Line Canopy Tour and Rescue School and all assigned equipment, the Adventure Basecamp Overnight Facility, the WVU Outdoor Education Center Public Water System and Bathroom and all assigned maintenance and construction equipment. A sample of facility and equipment processes include development and management of inspection, inventory, forecasting, purchasing, maintenance, and retirement schedules for all facilities and gear, adhering to relevant industry, departmental, university, and national standards. Processes related to the management of the Adventure WV Public Water System and Bathroom include start-up and shut down procedures, water sampling, bacteriological testing, water delivery and system compliance.

Program Management

• Manage and support programs at the Outdoor Education Center. Program management includes, but is not limited to scheduling, staffing, intake procedures, enrollment, paperwork, feedback collection, and billing and payment.
• Coordinate with Adventure WV's Program Support Specialist to identify and coordinate program logistics (food, equipment, transportation).

Program Design and Delivery

• Work with assigned programs and groups to design programs according to client needs and parameters, communicate effectively with AWV and with clients about these programs, and to effectively and safely deliver these programs. As areas of emphasis, the OECPM will assist in the development of management plans directly responsible for the delivery of high-quality, needs based activities that are directly aligned with departmental and university goals, with a specific emphasis on the facilitation of student persistence, transition, retention, and recruitment.
• Assist in the development of outreach strategies specifically designed to engage the WVU community and statewide K-12 population in challenge course, canopy tour and overnight programs. Attention to experiential education theory, activity sequencing, and industry standards are essential in these processes.
• Serve frequently as a facilitator for programs designed by other AWV staff members.

Staff Training, Certification, and Management

• Coordinate, plan and deliver element specific training that adheres to both industry standards and state regulatory criteria. This includes, but are not limited to, semester-based for credit opportunities and week-long non-credit based programs.
• Supervise all Outdoor Education Center student staff. These workers engage in direct program delivery as well as physical maintenance. Staff management duties include (but are not limited to): recruitment & hiring, scheduling, workflow management, tracking of certification and qualification, feedback and improvement planning, discipline & termination, payroll, training (including extended trainings), and process improvement.

Adventure WV Team

• Serve as a member of the Adventure WV professional staff team.
• Responsible for contributing to various AWV priority projects and initiatives and is responsible for adhering to relevant AWV and WVU policies at all times. To effectively serve on the AWV team the OECPM must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of experiential theory and leadership theory. The OECPM must have a demonstrated ability to train leaders across a variety of technical disciplines, have experience facilitating a culture of feedback, and the demonstrated ability to research, write, and develop curriculum of a wide spectrum of audiences. Some examples of AWV priority projects and sample duties include (but are not limited to): teaching, grading, and programming associated with FYT credits, FYT programming, Welcome Week programs management, NSO Basecamp, Fall Family Weekend programming, intake and custom program design, van driver training, involvement with WVU Student Life initiatives, and other special projects and duties as they arise.
• Contribute as requested and relevant to updates to various AWV policies, procedures, standards, and processes.

• Master's degree in Outdoor Education, Recreation, or other relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
• Two (2) years of experience involving:
  • Outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and/or experiential education, preferably within higher education (Graduate Assistantships are included as professional experience).
  • Managing a challenge course, zip-line canopy tour, or aerial adventure park, including grounds and facility maintenance.
  • Facilitating, teaching, and debriefing.
  • Programmatic risk management.
  • Supervision of student staff.
  • Outdoor equipment maintenance--especially equipment for challenge course and canopy tour.
• Knowledge of industry and state regulatory standards specific to challenge course operation/facilitation, canopy tour operation/facilitation and risk management issues.
• Ability to properly set up and take down all initiatives, low or high.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-faceted facility and its various operational, mechanical and fleet components.
• Knowledge of proper use and care of challenge course and canopy tour facilities and equipment.
• Experience with facility rentals, group scheduling and managing work schedules.
• Experience in a diversity of programmatic settings providing outcomes related to recreation, education, skill development, and personal development - with a special emphasis on the higher education setting.
• Staff supervisory skills.
• Ability to design effective trainings for student staff.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating, debriefing, counseling, and group dynamics and other essential foundations of outdoor education, experiential education theory, leadership theory, and risk management theory.
• Knowledge and experience managing challenges course activities and programming.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively as a member of a goal-oriented team.

• Valid driver's license
• Required within one (1) year of start date:
  • Wilderness First Responder Certification
  • CPR Certification
  • ACCT Level 2 or Higher Challenge Course and Canopy Tour Practitioner Certification
  • 1-D Water Operations Certification
• Additional technical skill certification (i.e. AMGA, ACA) preferred

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but for first consideration please apply by February 15, 2021 .

At West Virginia University, we pride ourselves on a tireless endeavor for achievement. We are home to some of the most passionate, innovative minds in the country who push their limits for the sake of progress, constantly moving the world forward. Our students, faculty and staff make this institution one of the best out there, and we are proud to stand as one voice, one university, one WVU. Find out more about your opportunities as a Mountaineer at https://talentandculture.wvu.edu/ .

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.