About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.
Departmental Overview
The Department of Recreation & Wellbeing provides competitive and recreational opportunities for students, faculty, staff and campus affiliated community members. In addition to the 30 sports clubs, the department offers a wide range of recreational activities and state of the art equipment.
Position Summary
The Climbing Programs Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of the rock climbing wall. Responsibilities of this position include hiring, training, and mentoring part time employees, while managing the ongoing development of program design, risk management and logistical planning of indoor climbing related programs. In addition to managerial responsibilities, the Climbing Programs Coordinator will often have the opportunity to work as an instructor in these program areas.
Involves instructional or program activities related to recreation, leisure, and fitness in an accredited environment; provides first aid and emergency care as necessary and responds to user/customer needs.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is October 20, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
25%
- Plans, organizes and implements open recreation, special events, instructional programs, leadership programs, and adaptive programs at the climbing wall.
- Oversees activities for groups or individual participants in a variety of social, recreational, and physical activities.
- Plans custom events based on customer goals and objectives.
- Creates and implements program policies and procedures based on industry standards.
- Submit requests for use of recreational facilities as needed.
- Responsible for ongoing development of new group facilitation programs, games, and initiatives.
- Assists with appropriate public relations and promotional programs in collaboration with the Department of Recreation and Wellbeing, Marketing and Communications staff.
50%
- Supervises employee performance, career development and adherence to job standards. Selects, trains, schedules, and mentors part time staff. Trains staff in leadership, group awareness, learning/teaching styles, and group awareness. Develops and conducts safety, risk management, and emergency management training for program staff regarding equipment usage, and activities associated with each program.
10%
- Performs inventory and safety inspections of equipment and supplies necessary to maintain indoor rock climbing wall. Trains employees on the safe use of equipment. Establish a schedule of periodic maintenance for all equipment. Ensure that all programs are issued the necessary equipment to execute the program as scheduled. Sets climbing wall routes with staff on monthly basis. Continuing education related to AMGA certifications and indoor climbing knowledge and best practices.
5%
- Responsible for ensuring that all program activities comply with Campus Risk Management Policies and Industry Standards. Reports safety issues to appropriate personnel and recommends improvements.
5%
- Ensures compliance with the assigned budget and makes budget recommendations to the Assistant Director of Fitness and Associate Director of Programs as needed.
5%
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Has knowledge of program activity and industry best practices.
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across the organization, internally and externally.
- Demonstrated experience in climbing gym management and administration including route setting, climbing equipment, and safety requirements.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing a top rope climbing site, teaching belaying, and managing participant belay teams.
- Uses creative problem solving to deliver strong service orientation, program management, sound judgment and decision-making; uses critical thinking skills to develop original ideas in a varied and challenging environment.
- Client Service minded focus, entrepreneurial spirit and creative thinking skills.
- Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
- Must be proficient in the use of computer software applications including word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, internet, and email software, such as the programs in the Google and Microsoft Office Suites.
- Must be able to successfully pass FBI and DOJ Criminal Check.
- Ability to create a diverse and inclusive culture that contributes to the shared campus priority of a thriving socially conscious global community.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in outdoor rock climbing programs including anchor setting, climbing equipment, and safety requirements.
- Experience working at a location where youth programming is present.
- Excellent instruction and facilitation skills.
- Knowledge of and/or ability to learn campus policies and procedures.
Education / Training
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)
Licenses / Certifications
- Red Cross CPR, First Aid, AED (Required)
- AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification (Required)
- AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification (Preferred)
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $66,000.00 - $70,000.00.
- This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
- This is a 2-year, full-time (40 hours/week) contract position eligible for UC benefits.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
- This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Mandated Reporter
This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.
Misconduct
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
