Posting Details

Position Information

Job Category Professional/Administrative Position Title Assistant Director of Outdoor Education (10-month position w/12 month benefits) Full Time/Part Time Full Time Division Athletics Department Outdoor Education Department Statement

With over 100 years of history, Colgate Outdoor Education is a highly successful program known nationally for its focus on leadership, teaching, and skill development.

Colgate Outdoor Education provides Colgate students with leadership, wellness, personal growth, sense of place, and community-building opportunities through outdoor and experiential programs. In addition, our community values sustainability, diversity and inclusion, safety, and improvement. We support Colgate’s mission to help students:
•Prepare for lives of leadership and productive citizenship
•Develop the skills to participate in a lifetime of healthy activity
•Develop personal potential and experience the cohesion of shared purpose

The Assistant Director of Outdoor Education collaborates with the director in the oversight of sixty student staff and providing year-round outdoor and experiential programming to the Colgate community.

Area Description
Founded in 1795, the village of Hamilton was recently named one of the friendliest towns in the United States by Forbes Magazine. The village has a population of roughly 4,000, including 80 percent of the Colgate faculty. The Hamilton Village Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. It is less than a one hour drive from Syracuse, four hours away from New York City, and five hours from Boston.

Outdoor Education is housed in Basecamp, formerly the Colgate ski haus, now a rustic office space on the edge of campus, complete with kitchen, fireplace, and equipment rental center. Right next door, in the Huntington Gymnasium, the Angert Family Climbing Wall provides a teaching and training space and a home for the local climbing community. We also make good use of the Glendening Boathouse, located on Lake Moraine, for canoe, sea kayak, and SUP practice, and the Beattie Reserve, an 80-acre wilderness area, located four miles from campus, that includes a yurt and our high and low ropes course. Right out the back door, on the old ski hill, are miles of running, mountain biking, and cross country skiing trails across the 575-acre Colgate campus. The rolling hills and country roads of the Chenango Valley make for stellar road biking. Several local crags and ski areas also offer great teaching and learning destinations for our programs.

Just an hour from campus, the six-million acre Adirondack Park provides world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. For whitewater kayaking, upstate New York’s intensive hydrologic development lends itself to regular releases on classic runs such as the Moose, Beaver, and Raquette rivers. The Adirondack anorthosite is a high quality granite-like rock, perfect for both sport and traditional climbing, with over 1,600 recorded routes. In the winter, the park freezes over to create many destinations for skiing and ice climbing. The legendary Shawangunks Ridge, or “the Gunks,” is just three hours away with some of the world’s best multi-pitch traditional climbing and bouldering. Other renowned destinations for climbing and skiing, such as Rumney, North Conway, Mt. Washington, Killington, Stowe, Lake Willoughby, and Smuggler’s Notch are all within a 4-6 hour drive.

Accountabilities

Academic Year Programming & Instructor Development Accountabilities:
•Scheduling, logistics, and marketing for the Physical Education (24-32 programs per year) and Backyard Adventures programs (36-40 programs per year).
•Scheduling, logistics, and staffing custom classes/trips for academic classes, clubs, etc.
•Developing policy and curriculum, instructing, and supervising students in the rock/ice climbing and/or whitewater kayaking skill areas.
•Developing policy and curriculum, instructing, and supervising students in the other skill areas as assigned/determined in collaboration with the director.
•Exercising independent judgement and unchallengeable authority in decision making while leading outdoor education programs and trips and has overall responsibility for the safety and welfare of participants on those trips and programs.
•Complete, independent, and unchallengeable decision¬ making authority regarding all weather related activities.
•Planning, marketing, and leading all aspects of academic break trips (i.e. Fall, Winter, and Spring).

Angert Family Climbing Wall Accountabilities:
•Overseeing all aspects of the Angert Family Climbing Wall – budget, staffing, training, route setting, special events, risk management, etc.
•Organizing and planning of the annual Colgate Climbing Competition – budget, route setting, staffing, sponsorship, marketing, etc.
•Organizing and planning special events at the climbing wall: birthday parties, camps, etc.
•Exercises independent discretion on all purchases and budgetary decisions for the climbing wall budget.

Banff Mountain Film Festival Accountabilities:
•Managing the annual presentation of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – budget, contracting, venue, marketing, sponsorship, and day-of operations.

Specific responsibilities, include but are not limited to:
•Assisting with instruction of staff training classes and expeditions in backpacking, canoeing, and/or winter camping.
•Role modeling and mentoring college students in leadership, teaching, risk management and technical skill development.
•Attending and presenting at weekly all staff meetings (typically Monday evening).
•Responsible for adherence to assigned OE budgets. Exercises independent discretion on all purchases and budgetary decisions for assigned areas.
•Assists with the Wilderness Adventure pre-¬orientation program as needed.
•Assists with the planning, logistics, and execution of biannual staff training weekends.
•Maintaining professional relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Responsible for adhering to the athletics mission: To be an inclusive community of competitive excellence.

Responsible for following the athletic department values:
Athletics Department Values:
Thoughtful – Careful, reasoned, inclusive thinking
Driven – Relentless, energetic, focused pursuit of courageous goal
Enthusiastic – Passionate, positive, fun presence
Cohesive – Close—knit, collaborative, consistent teamwork
Bold – Creative, resourceful, fearless winners

Technical Competencies

Name Outdoor Program Administration Description

Demonstrated ability to create, organize, and evaluate innovative outdoor programming. Demonstrated ability to manage logistics for multiple trip and programs simultaneously. Demonstrated ability to effectively market all programs to a student audience.

Technical Competencies

Name Outdoor Leadership Description

Demonstrated ability to lead student and adult groups on outdoor trips and teach outdoor skill classes. Demonstrates effective communication with diverse populations. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage travel planning and trip logistics.

Technical Competencies

Name Teaching and Instruction Description

Demonstrated ability to teach/instruct skills and leadership in both outdoor and indoor settings. Uses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches to teaching. Knowledge of experiential education theories and methods and applies them to both outdoor and classroom teaching.

Technical Competencies

Name Student Development Description

Demonstrated ability to instruct, train, supervise and evaluate student participants and student employees.

Technical Competencies

Name Facility Management Description

Demonstrated ability to effectively and safely manage all aspects of an indoor climbing wall facility, including budgeting, staffing, training, route setting, policy, and risk management.

Technical Competencies

Name Risk Management Description

Demonstrated ability to recognize and anticipate objective hazards and mitigate risk in remote wilderness environments including mountains, forests, lakes, rivers (flat and white water), and crags/cliffs in all seasons. Demonstrates effective instruction and management of groups of students in order to recognize and anticipate subjective hazards and minimize risks associated with leading groups in the backcountry. Understand, recognize, and mitigate the inherent risks associated with a wide variety of outdoor pursuits. Demonstrated ability to set and enforce policies as they pertain to the provision and instruction of outdoor pursuits in an institutional setting. Must possess and maintain a Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification.

Technical Competencies

Name Essential Outdoor Skills Description

Should demonstrate one or both of the following:

Climbing: Ability to manage students in both bottom- and top-managed settings (rock and ice) as well as in a multipitch environment (rock only). Personal lead climbing ability at an intermediate or higher level (rock and ice). AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (or equivalent).

Paddling: Ability to manage students in whitewater up to class III or higher. Personal experience and paddling ability in water up to grade IV/V. Experience and/or training in swift water rescue techniques. ACA level IV Whitewater Kayaking and/or Swiftwater Safety and Rescue.

Technical Competencies

Name Additional Outdoor Skills Description

Demonstrated ability to lead/teach two or more of the following outdoor skills: backpacking, winter camping, flatwater canoeing, lightweight backpacking, geocaching, mountain biking, whitewater canoeing, sea kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, challenge course facilitation, geocaching, fly fishing, survival skills, cross country skiing, and telemark skiing.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Personal Accountability for Results Description

Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and openness to feedback.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Effective Communication Description

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to diverse audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Problem Solving and Decision Making Description

Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Change Management Description

Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Leadership and Teamwork Description

Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Creativity and Innovation Description

Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Diversity and Inclusion Description

Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Behavioral Competencies

Name Sustainability Description

Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university’s commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university’s sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

Requirements

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

•One year of professional trip leading experience.
•Familiarity with climbing wall management and operations.
•Personal climbing ability at an intermediate or higher level (rock and ice) and/or whitewater kayaking ability in water up to grade III/IV, both strongly preferred.
•Experience with institutional rock/ice climbing and/or white water kayaking, both strongly preferred.
•Outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff.
•Excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan, prioritize, and delegate across multiple projects.
•A clear commitment to the university’s academic mission and appreciation of its liberal arts curriculum.
•Solid familiarity with technology including the Google Apps suite as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
•Must be able to mentor college students in leadership, teaching, risk management, and technical skill development.

Preferred Qualifications

•Three or more years of professional trip leading experience.
•Knowledge of experiential education theories and methods.
•Experience running an indoor climbing gym and/or route setting.
•Personal sport/traditional lead climbing/multi-pitch ability at an intermediate or higher level (rock and ice) and/or whitewater kayaking ability in water up to grade IV/V, both strongly preferred.
•Experience working professionally with collegiate outdoor programs, outdoor pre-orientation programs, and/or outdoor education programs such as Outward Bound or NOLS.
•Experience in additional outdoor pursuits is desirable, including, but not limited to: cross country or telemark skiing, mountain biking, sea kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, challenge course facilitation, lightweight backpacking, geocaching, fly fishing, etc.

Education

•Bachelor’s degree
•Master’s degree in a related field (Outdoor Education, Recreation, Parks/Tourism, etc.) preferred.

Certifications

•A current valid driver’s license, in accordance with the University’s Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Use Policy is required.
•Current certifications in WFR (or WEMT) and CPR and ability to maintain.
•Must have or be able to obtain in the first year of employment, certifications from the AMGA (Single Pitch Instructor) and/or ACA (L4 Whitewater Kayaking, L4: Swiftwater Safety and Rescue).

Physical Requirements

The ability to pass a DOT physical exam (a commercial driver’s license is neither necessary nor required).

Other Information

Evening and weekend work is expected.

Posting Detail Information

Requisition Number 2019S047P Temporary No Work Schedule Job Open Date 02/22/2019 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions Summary

Colgate University is committed to the principle of institutional control in administering its athletics program in a manner consistent with the NCAA, ECAC, and Patriot League rules. Each individual involved in the athletics division is obligated to maintain competency and knowledge of the rules, to act within his or her realm of responsibility in full compliance with the governing legislation, and to report any violation of NCAA, ECAC or Patriot League rules of which he or she is aware. The failure to do so can be grounds for your termination with cause.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Clery Act Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Are you currently a Colgate employee?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Have you ever been a Colgate employee?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Are you at least 18 years of age?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Please let us know how you heard about this position.
   • Albany Times Union
   • Binghamton Press & Sun
   • BlackCoachesinSports
   • Careerbuilders.com
   • Cazenovia Republican
   • Centralnewyorkhelpwanted.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Chronicle of Philanthropy
   • Colgate Employee
   • Colgate Website
   • CoSIDA
   • Diverse Issues of Higher Education
   • HERC (Upstate New York HERC)
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Indeed.com
   • InsideHigherEd.com
   • LinkedIn
   • Mid-York Weekly
   • NACWA
   • naviGATE
   • NCAA News
   • Norwich Evening Sun
   • Oneida Daily Dispatch
   • Sherburne News
   • Studentaffairs.com
   • Syracuse Post Standard
   • Utica Observer Dispatch
   • Waterville Times
   • WomenLeadersinCollegeSports.com
   • Other
5. If you selected "Colgate Employee" or "Other" for how you heard about this position, please provide the employee's name or where you heard about/saw the position.

   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents