Assistant Director, Outdoor Recreation and Programs

Position Information

Position Information (Default Section)

EEO Statement Wright State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Faculty Rank or Job Title Assistant Director, Outdoor Recreation and Programs

Job Category:

Administrative (exempt/non-exempt)

Department Dean of Students

EEO number:

27P085

Position FTE 100%

Minimum Annual Salary 50,000

Eclass 21 Unclassified FT Salary MO

Salary Band:

S04

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Assistant Director for Programs & Outdoor Recreation provides strategic leadership, direction, and administration for the university’s outdoor recreation programs, facilities, and experiential education initiatives. The position develops and holds authority for Outdoor Recreation strategic and operational plans, administers the approved operating budget, represents Campus Recreation in cross-divisional planning, and supports department-wide programming. The Assistant Director ensures outdoor recreation and departmental programming align with institutional priorities related to student engagement, well-being, leadership development, recruitment, and retention.

Minimum Qualifications · Bachelor’s degree. · Three years of experience managing outdoor/adventure recreation programs; graduate assistant experience may be considered. · At least one year of experience supervising staff and/or students. · Strong background in multiple outdoor recreation pursuits. · Effective communication and interpersonal skills. · Current/valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications · Master’s degree in a related field. · Budget management and independent expenditure experience. · Facility management experience involving challenge courses, climbing facilities, or equipment rentals. · Experience representing a department on university committees or cross-divisional initiatives. · Relevant professional certifications and participation in AORE, WEA, NOLS, NIRSA, or similar organizations. · Experience in university outdoor recreation programming and challenge-course operations.

Essential Functions and percent of time:

Outdoor Recreation Programming & Student Development - 35% · Provide strategic leadership and direction for all Outdoor Recreation programs and services. · Develop, implement, and assess a multi-year strategic plan for Outdoor Recreation aligned with departmental and divisional priorities. · Design inclusive outdoor recreation experiences that support student engagement, leadership development, health, well-being, recruitment, and retention. · Lead signature programs including Adventure Summit, Freshman Outdoor Orientation Trip (FOOT), and other experiential learning initiatives. · Build comprehensive student leadership pathways for trip leaders, challenge-course facilitators, and outdoor educators. · Assess participation trends and student needs and hold authority to recommend and implement program changes within approved plans and resources.

Outdoor Recreation Facilities & Operational Authority - 25%

· Provide operational leadership for the Outdoor Resource Center, climbing wall, challenge course, equipment rental operations, and associated facilities. · Develop, approve, and implement long-range operational plans and capital improvement priorities for Outdoor Recreation facilities and programs within established departmental and university parameters. · Establish operational priorities and facility-use plans for Outdoor Recreation spaces, coordinating implementation with academic departments, ROTC, student organizations, Facilities, and external partners. · Oversee equipment lifecycle planning, replacement schedules, inspections, and capital improvement recommendations. · Maintain comprehensive risk-management plans, emergency action procedures, and operational standards.

Essential Functions and percent of time (cont'd):

Department-Wide Programming & Strategic Collaboration - 15%

· Support the Associate Dean of Students in delivering department-wide programming, including Rec the Night, wellness initiatives, student staff development programs, and cross-campus collaborations. · Contribute to development and assessment of major Campus Recreation events and collaborative initiatives with Athletics, academic units, and campus partners. · Ensure outdoor recreation is integrated into the broader Campus Recreation engagement and recruitment strategy.

Strategic Administration, Partnerships & Cross-Divisional Leadership - 15%

· Represent Campus Recreation with defined responsibility on university and divisional committees related to recreation, wellness, student engagement, facility planning, sustainability, experiential learning, and risk management. · Advocate for and communicate Campus Recreation priorities in institutional planning and hold responsibility for implementing approved operational plans affecting Outdoor Recreation. · Build collaborative partnerships with academic departments, Athletics, Student Affairs, Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety, community organizations, and regional outdoor recreation partners. · Develop annual goals, performance metrics, and assessment reports and use data to guide continuous improvement. · Identify and pursue grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and alternative funding opportunities.

Fiscal & Staff Leadership - 10%

· Develop and administer the Outdoor Recreation operating budget, establish annual resource priorities, and exercise independent authority for approved expenditures within university policy. · Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional and student staff. · Develop staff training focused on leadership, risk management, student development, and technical competencies. · Assume appropriate operational leadership in the absence of senior departmental leadership.

Non-Essential Functions and percent of time:

Working Conditions To preserve the safety and security of the campus community and to maintain the integrity of university operations, it is the policy of Wright State University making an employment offer contingent on various background checks, such as a criminal record, credit history when job related and/or education verifications. Additionally, an administrative review shall be conducted whenever the university learns that an employee is charged with or convicted of a crime (except for minor vehicle violations). Frequently asked questions related to background checks may be found on the Human resources website at http://www.wright.edu/human-resources.

Effective July 1, 2017, per Policy 7230 Wright State University is tobacco-free. Tobacco use, including the sale, advertising sampling and distribution of tobacco products and tobacco related items is prohibited in all university facilities, on all university owned or leased grounds, university owned or operated residence halls and apartments, and at all university sponsored events regardless of location. Tobacco use is also prohibited in all university vehicles or on any equipment owned, leased or operated by Wright State University. This policy applies to anyone on campus including students, faculty, staff, visitors, consultants, vendors, patients, volunteers, and contractor employees.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Posting Date 11/06/2026

First Consideration Date:

11/20/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes