Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs 

Middle Tennessee State University’s Campus Recreation has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs to join our team. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programs, the Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs serves as a leader who provides visionary leadership for a robust Outdoor Pursuits Program.  

Who We Are: MTSU Campus Recreation is a department that strives to support the MTSU Community by providing holistic recreational opportunities that foster the development and education of all students.  We are a team that welcomes employee input and ideas from all levels in effort to continually improve to serve the MTSU Community.  Through recreation, we ignite growth and inspire success.   

What We Expect From You:  

• Have a master’s degree in Recreation Management or a closely related field 

• Provide exemplary leadership to a Graduate Assistant and over 20 student staff across 3 outdoor program areas (equipment rentals, climbing wall, and trips) 

• The ability to create and implement staff trainings that not only prepare student staff for the technical proficiencies of their jobs, but also trainings that prepare them for their careers 

• The ability to plan, facilitate, and oversee outdoor adventure programming that will include local, regional, national, and international trips 

• Lead and grow a wide-ranging and inclusive outdoor programming that serves a population of over 17,000 students 

• Strong fiscal management and dynamic oversight of a $130,000+ budget 

• The ability to lead and grow a large-scale outdoor program which includes directing an outdoor equipment rental center with over $350,000 in inventory, a full-service bike shop, indoor climbing wall, large scale outdoor trips, fiscal oversight and auditing procedures, inventory management, and sound risk management procedures  

• Utilize data to drive sound decision making practices. Benchmark off national best practices and CAS standards to foster growth of the Outdoor Program 

• Research, recommend, and utilize outdoor industry best practices in decision making. 

• Be an effective communicator and utilize different methods of communication to reach MTSU students, staff, and faculty 

• Oversee department vehicle use and maintenance 

• Be a leader in and outside the Department of Campus Recreation by thinking creatively and acting collaboratively 

What You Can Expect From Us:  

• A highly collaborative team that works outside of its programmatic boundaries to support each other 

• A team that is focused on creating an inviting and supportive atmosphere for our employees, students, faculty and staff, and external community 

• A team that appreciates the strengths and contribution of others while working to grow through our areas of improvement 

• A team that uses data informed decision making to ensure that we are acting in the best interest of our students 

• A team that has a strong emphasis on creating co-curricular relationships to further enhance our ability to positively affect student success 

• Being challenged daily with the support and resources to be successful 

• A positive, fun work environment 

• The autonomy to work creatively and make an impact across campus 

Review of applicants will begin June 3rd and will continue until a successful candidate is found

What We Require:  

• Master’s degree in recreation or associated field 

• A minimum of two years prior experience in university recreation programs whereas 2 years of a graduate assistantship is equivalent to one year of professional experience. 

• Wilderness First Responder/CPR/AED certification 

What We Would Like You to Have 

• 3 years supervising a comprehensive university outdoor recreation program 

• Experience in supervising large-scale, complex budgets  

• Proven experience in leading successful student staff training programs 

• Knowledge and creation of program assessment measures 

• PCIA or AMGA certification preferred.  

• ACA swift water rescue certification preferred. 

• Wilderness First Aid/Responder Instructor Certification 

*All applicants must apply through MTSU's application portal located at: https://careers.mtsu.edu/jobs/search 

About Middle Tennessee State University Campus Recreation

MTSU is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, about 35 miles southeast of downtown Nashville. With an enrollment around 19,000 students, the university has eight undergraduate colleges, offering more than 40 departments and more than 140 degree programs. The College of Graduate Studies offers more than 100 degree programs. MTSU athletics competes in Conference USA.

Connections working at Middle Tennessee State University Campus Recreation