Coordinator of Adventure & TEAM Programs - JMU

Description & Details:

James Madison University Recreation (UREC) is currently searching for a Coordinator of 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. Take a virtual tour of UREC’s award-winning facilities.

At UREC, we're a team of professionals dedicated to promoting and advancing healthy lifestyles across the JMU community through our award-winning facilities, programs and services. UREC looks for people who are passionate about teaching and working with students. Come join our team of talented specialists committed to Motivating Madison into Motion! 

Position Duties:

#1: ADVENTURE PROGRAM LEADERSHIP: Serves as one of two professional staff members leading a comprehensive and dynamic Adventure program that provides adventure-based experiential learning opportunities to meet the recreational, educational and leadership needs of the JMU Community. Provides leadership, oversight, implementation, and innovation for UREC's TEAM Challenge Course (custom, experiential high and low ropes teambuilding programs) and UREC’s Adventure Rental Program. Stays current with knowledge, certifications, and industry practices to operate the TEAM Challenge Course successfully while mitigating the risks. Ensures high standards within UREC Adventure Rentals as it relates to gear usage, organization, storage, maintenance, and sanitation practices. Collaborates to support adventure trips, MOAT, and adventure special events.

#2: STUDENT STAFF LEADERSHIP: Strategically hires, trains, supervises and evaluates over 30 TEAM Challenge Course and Adventure Rentals student staff in compliance with all applicable University guidelines. Leads regular staff meetings, in-service trainings, scheduling, and mentorship to ensure these student-operated program/service operate at a high level of excellence. Provides impactful mentorship and learning opportunities for the Graduate Assistant for Adventure & TEAM Programs. Approves TEAM and Adventure Rentals student staff payroll and manages student employee budgets.

#3: FACILITIES AND RISK MANAGEMENT: Accountable for the management/mitigation of risks inherent in the TEAM Challenge Course and Adventure Rentals program. Takes the initiative to collaborate with facilities staff to ensure a safe, attractive and clean environment in all TEAM Challenge Course and adventure rentals spaces and storage areas within the adventure center rentals areas. Prepares work orders for maintenance and repairs and develops proposals for new and upcoming equipment/space needs. Provides expertise in the establishment of consistent risk management protocols for all adventure programs and facilities in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Adventure and TEAM. Manage all appropriate documents including assumption of risk and medical information according to JMU policies and procedures. Serves as an active member of the Professional Staff Evening Facility and Program Supervision Team.

#4: EVALUATION and ASSESSMENT: Establishes and assesses learning outcomes for TEAM Challenge Course and Adventure Rentals Program annually, and conducts at least one assessment each year, utilizing data-driven insights to inform curriculum/program changes. Will conduct evaluations to measure customer service and gather data to measure usage rates and risk management issues. Conduct needs assessment and maintains participation reports to justify current programs and propose new offerings in all areas. Will develop and assess learning outcomes for all program participants and staff trainings.

#5: ADMINISTRATION & COLLABORATION: Provides updates to ensure the accuracy of TEAM and Adventure Rentals information on the website and related documents, leveraging technology to enhance program effectiveness. Maintains accurate records. Recommends purchases for TEAM and Adventure Rentals equipment 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. Engages in staff meetings and departmental events to support teammates and the department/university mission. Maintains personnel files and manages student employee payroll to within 5% of approved budget. Effectively utilize conferences and other professional development opportunities as tools for staying current in the field and broadening knowledge, skills and abilities in the role.

Required:

• Experience in high/low ropes course management
• Experience with a static belay system, including static rescues/lowers from height
• Significant hours logged facilitating groups with teambuilding activities and low ropes course elements
• Customer service experience

Additional Considerations:

• Expertise in risk mitigation in a high/low ropes course setting
• Experience supervising, leading and mentoring
• Experience managing an adventure equipment rental program
• Strong organization skills and high attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively on a diverse team

JMU Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities

To learn more and to apply, go to jobs.jmu.edu/home and reference posting number 20001364. Review of applications begins 07/23/2025. 

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment 

About James Madison University Recreation

Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are here because they want to pursue knowledge and make teaching their No. 1 priority. Thanks to a new Carnegie Commission Classification of R2 Doctoral University with high research activity, JMU is now officially recognized for its world-class academic excellence and national prominence. 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. The University Recreation department, located within Student Affairs, offers the JMU community a comprehensive menu of recreational and educational opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities. UREC operates a 278,515 square foot main facility, an outdoor facility and numerous satellite facilities around campus. has a dedicated student staff of over 600 along with 10 graduate assistants from around the country and 26 professional staff.