GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Director of Student Activities, the Director of Outdoor Pursuits will coordinate a comprehensive, student focused program based on principles of student development, holistic wellness, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The person in this position will provide experiences for undergraduate and graduate students that expose them to outdoor pursuits and engage them as leaders on campus and beyond.   The Director will assist in improving systems and resources with the ultimate goal of meeting student needs.  Ultimately, Outdoor Pursuits seeks to assist individuals in remaining healthy and thriving during their transformational experience as a student at Pacific University. 

This position will oversee a variety of leadership development efforts, as well as facilitate the design of outdoor leadership training for students.  The overall goal of the Outdoor Pursuits program is to develop a diverse group of student leaders that can lead outdoor adventure trips that connect participants to each other and nature while managing the risks associated with a given activity.  The Director also coordinates the training of students in order to help them develop sound judgment, high ethical standards, necessary technical skills, and excellent communication.  The Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the program including, but not limited to, the promotion of open enrollment trips, securing permits, coordinating the reservation of university vehicles, reserving rooms, and maintaining trailers.  They must possess a wide range of skill sets and be able to work with others well in order to accomplish the wide range of tasks necessary to run a dynamic outdoor adventure program. 

Additionally, it is expected that the individual in this position will collaborate with others in shaping a significant renovation project of the campus hub for outdoor pursuits known as the “Milky Way.”  Using the substantial outdoor resources and setting that surrounds our community, this position collaborates closely with the student activities office and our cultural centers to ultimately provide the premier outdoor engagement experience for students pursuing postsecondary education in the Pacific Northwest.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise the Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits.
• Coordinate the Outdoor Pursuits and Voyage programs.
• Oversee the budget for Outdoor Pursuits and Voyages programs.
• Maintain the current facilities, equipment inventory,  and online presence of the Outdoor Pursuits Office.
• Organize and plan the recruitment, hiring, development, and assessment of all student staff.
• Develop strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to benefit recruitment, retention, and development efforts for students engaged in Outdoor Pursuits.
• Work in the field approximately thirty-days (with some overnights) a year to train student staff and maintain high quality outdoor adventure trips.
• Engage with the faculty in the Outdoor Leadership Major to coordinate the use of resources between these two departments.
• Leverage technology and social media to engage students and showcase opportunities.
• Consistently assess and seek to improve student facing systems and programs. 
• Prepare, execute, and balance departmental budget with intentionality and an equity lens.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Assist students on an on-going basis, providing guidance, support, and referrals as necessary.
• Serve in an on-call rotation with professional staff, providing consultative and, in rare cases, in-person, after hours support during critical student situations.
• Serve on University and Divisional committees, task forces, and search teams as needed.
• Contribute to strategic planning, training of staff, and professional development of the Division of Student Affairs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Activities.

STUDENT AFFAIRS DIVISION:
As an employee of the Division of Student Affairs, we actively engage in leading excellent assessment, outreach and communication, EDI, student engagement & retention, administration, and emergency planning & response efforts.  Consequently, departmental leads share major functions that pertain to all leadership positions in student affairs.  They are:

• Leads intentional and comprehensive assessment of major programs and services offered by the department including qualitative and quantitative efforts.  These efforts include budget reports, end of the year assessment reports, and publicly sharing data related to student success.  Navigates appropriate change to these programs and services to ensure learning objectives are met through utilization of assessment data.
• Proactively organizes outreach and communication efforts to the campus community regarding departmental services and programs.  Ensures continuous communication to stakeholders and provides opportunities for them to learn more about the division of student affairs and their department.
• Considers all departmental decisions and actions with an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens and actively strives to meet the needs of the diverse body of stakeholders in an equitable and inclusive way.
• Manages administrative functions of the organization to ensure that excellent practices and procedures are in place with respect to budget and fiscal responsibility, hiring and onboarding practices, training and professional development opportunities, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensures that policy, procedures, resources, programs and services are intentionally developed and implemented to promote positive student engagement and retention outcomes.
• Prepares for inevitable crises and develops appropriate emergency response policies and procedures for employees, students, and other stakeholders in their department in conjunction with overall institutional emergency protocols.

JOB SCOPE:

This position will have the authority to intervene with students autonomously to ensure students learn appropriate skills and to ensure the safety of the outdoor environment. This position will work in partnership with campus stakeholders and monitor all aspects of Outdoor Pursuits. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position supervises the Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits.  In addition, this position engages significantly with ensuring student employees working in the department are successful.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Experiential Education, Outdoor Education, Higher Education Administration, or related field desired.
• 3 or more years of experience in outdoor education/leadership or equivalent transferable experience
• Experience serving students in higher education;  experience working in a Liberal Arts or Healthcare Education setting is preferred.
• Experience supporting minoritized communities along with cultural humility, knowledge, and demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression and social justice.
• Experience in leading or co-leading overnight and extended travel expeditions or related programs.
• Curriculum development and assessment experience or equivalent transferable experience.
• Extensive experience and qualified ability, with at least one area of expertise, in outdoor activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing/snowboarding, whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, and/or whitewater rafting.
• Experience supervising, training, and evaluating employees who work in outdoor pursuits, university recreation, student activities, or related offices.
• Experience with current industry standards and risk management standards for outdoor activities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Current certification or license in (or ability and willingness to obtain them)
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Industry certifications in rock climbing, water sports (CWI, SPI, ACA kayak instructor and/or swift water rescue, LNT Educator, etc.)
  • Valid driver’s license

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and an appropriate understanding and application of confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to build and sustain rich collaborative relationships with university faculty, staff, and students of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple projects, track data, meet timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the University.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures, emergency response plans, protocols, and consistent application of industry standard practices.
• Ability and willingness to travel utilizing standard, commercial, and/or personal modes of transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Typical office environment and a variety of outdoor environments depending on the nature of the work on any given day.
• Some overnight, evening, and weekend Requirements.
• Occasional on call responsibilities as part of a collaborative rotation through the Division of Student Affairs.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

✔Climbing  ✔Balancing  ✔Stooping  ✔Kneeling  ✔Crouching  ✔Crawling  ✔Reaching  ✔Standing  ✔Walking  ✔Pushing  ✔Pulling ✔Lifting  ✔Fingering  ✔Grasping  ___Feeling  ✔Talking  ✔Hearing  ✔Repetitive motion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

✔  Sedentary work  ✔Light work  ✔Medium work  ✔Heavy work  ___Very Heavy work  ✔ Visual acuity

Application Notes:

In addition to your Resume & Cover Letter, please attach an Outdoor Resume describing any technical outdoor skills, personal or work related outdoor adventure experience, and/or relevant outdoor certifications, etc. 

The priority application deadline is May 27 (but will remain open until filled) and preferred job start date is July 1. Flexibility may be given to the successful candidate(s) if/when needed. 

We are dedicated to providing services that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. Pacific University continues to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you dont meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

DISCOVER PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

Pacific University is a small, but diverse learning community, where students thrive in a personal academic environment. Tracing its roots to 1849, when it was chartered as a school for orphans of the Oregon Trail, Pacific has long been devoted to making a difference in the world. Today, students study in a unique combination of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, health professions and optometry. Located in Oregon, Pacific serves a diverse population of more than 3,900 students, with campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn. At Pacific University, students and faculty develop close, nurturing relationships that provide an extraordinary educational experience.

Today, students study in a unique combination of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts and sciences, optometry, education, health professions and business.  Pacific University has campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn, Ore., as well as an office in Honolulu.  In addition, a variety of Pacific University health and eye clinics throughout the Portland area serve patients and provide students with practical experience.

At Pacific University, students and faculty engage in discovery through close, nurturing relationships that provide extraordinary learning experiences.  International study, service learning, internships and co-curricular activities have been integral parts of the education of nearly 28,000 alumni worldwide who share in the Boxer spirit.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.