Viking Outdoor Recreation Program Manager

Job no: 502272
Position type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Division/Equivalent: SA - Student Affairs
School/Unit: Outdoor Center (8681)
Categories: Student Affairs

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Position Title Viking Outdoor Recreation Program Manager
About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department The Viking Outdoor Recreation supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position The Viking Outdoor Recreation (VOR) Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Outdoor Center Activity Programs, under the direction of the Assistant Director of Viking Outdoor Recreation. These duties include (and are not limited to): student staff supervision, customer service, program registration, administrative practices, budget coordination, assist and implement risk management trainings, equipment usage, logistics, maintenance, contribute to the development of mission/vision/values within the Outdoor Center Activities Programs (excursions, WOOT and Wellness).

This position supports the efforts of the Assistant Director in creating equitable opportunities to engage in recreation and helps with increasing accessibility and access to recreation opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members alike. This position works to help expand outdoor recreation and wellness programs within VOR. They will conduct ongoing participation, demographic, and retention data based on participation in programs, ensuring the programs are meeting desired outcomes relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The StateHR classification for this position is Program Manager A.

Required Qualifications
  • Demonstrated 3 years of work experience in an outdoor education or recreation program.
  • Demonstrated experience with risk management protocols in a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
  • Experience developing and delivering training in outdoor recreational activities including but not limited to backpacking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, mountain/road biking, rafting, mountaineering, skiing, snowshoeing, and canoeing.
  • Demonstrated experience working successfully with and supporting individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.
  • Demonstrated strong commitment to creating a culturally responsive environment for staff and students, the delivery of programs that support diversity objectives, and the development of cultural engagement and responsiveness skills.
  • Demonstrated experience with supervision (this may include full-time or part-time staff, student staff, volunteers, or other experiences that demonstrate an understanding of supporting others in achieving goals or objectives as assigned)
  • Demonstrated experience communicating effectively and professionally, including written, and interpersonal.
  • Available to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays on occasion. The Program Manager will spend between 2 and 6 weekends, and 1 full week per year in the field conducting staff trainings.
  • CPR, Wilderness First Responder, or Wilderness-EMT certification by hiring date.
  • Valid Driver’s License.
  • Commitment to professional development and growth to keep current with outdoor industry standards and norms.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Management, Education, or related field.
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in strategic assessment of programs, and/or student learning outcomes.
  • Experience working in a retail or outdoor equipment rental operation.
  • Experience working with students in a Higher Education setting.
  • Experience in responsibly managing budgets.
  • American Mountains Guides Association (AMGA) Certified Instructor.
  • Institute for Avalanche Instruction & Education (AIARE) Certified Instructor.
  • American Canoe and Kayak Association (ACA) Certified Instructor.
  • Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Course Manager.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary  $4,962 - $6,669/month depending on qualifications and experience
Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Classified Positions
Bargaining Unit This position is part of bargaining unit D and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees of WWU.
Application Instructions

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Closing Date Notes Position open to current PSE, DCA and permanent WWU employees (including project employees); PSE will receive priority consideration.  Position closes 04/29/2025 at 11:55 pm.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

Advertised: Pacific Daylight Time
Application close: Pacific Daylight Time

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