Job Title
Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation & Student Development
Agency
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Department
Recreational Sports
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Corpus Christi, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution
(MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54
foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time
Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly
talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and
graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the
Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of
resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to
collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member
institutions and associated agencies.
TAMU-CC's beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on
Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best
College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern,
attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support
facilities.
PURPOSE
The Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation & Student Development
provides leadership for the Outdoor Recreation program while
overseeing department-wide student employee development
initiatives. This position develops outdoor adventure experiences,
risk management practices, leadership programs, and student
employment training that foster student engagement, retention, and
success. The coordinator collaborates across the department to
ensure high-quality experiential learning opportunities that align
with the mission of Recreational Sports and Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi.
DESCRIPTION
Functional Area 1: Outdoor Recreation Programs &
Operations
Percent Effort: 60%
- Implement, lead, and evaluate comprehensive Outdoor Recreation
programs and experiences for students, faculty, and staff utilizing
university resources, as well as local, state, and national parks
and natural areas.
Develop and coordinate outdoor adventure programming including
trips, workshops, clinics, team-building experiences, and special
events that promote physical wellness, mental growth, environmental
awareness, and student engagement.
Oversee the Outdoor Recreation equipment rental program
including inventory management, equipment maintenance, purchasing,
replacement planning, and daily operations.
Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate trip
leaders, rental equipment staff, future rock wall staff, and
student employees.
Assist in the maintenance and event planning of the Hike &
Bike Trail in conjunction with the facilities unit.
Manage and maintain the rock wall facility, ensuring equipment
inspections, cleanliness, operational standards, and a safe
environment for participants.
Oversee risk management practices for all Outdoor Recreation
program areas including the equipment garage, rock wall operations,
trips, transportation, and participant safety procedures.
Develop and maintain emergency action plans, safety procedures,
participant documentation, and operational protocols consistent
with university policies and industry standards.
Maintain a safe environment while encouraging participants to
challenge themselves through new experiences and experiential
learning opportunities.
Oversee the development, implementation, and daily operations
of future Beachfront Recreation programming, including program
planning, safety procedures, equipment needs, staffing models,
participant experiences, and operational standards.
Safely operates university vehicles.
Functional Area 2: Student Development &
Leadership
Percent Effort: 20%
- Develop and facilitate student employee leadership development
opportunities focused on technical skills, professional growth,
customer service, and risk management.
- Conduct regular student staff training, in-services, workshops,
and skill development opportunities for Outdoor Recreation
employees.
- Provide mentorship, supervision, and professional development
opportunities for student employees and assigned Student Program
Assistant(s).
- Facilitate team-building programs and experiential learning
activities for students, faculty, and staff across the
university.
- Create intentional learning opportunities that support student
growth, leadership development, confidence, teamwork, and personal
responsibility.
- Evaluate student employee performance and provide ongoing
feedback, coaching, and development opportunities.
- Support departmental efforts to enhance student engagement,
belonging, and success through recreational experiences.
Functional Area 3: Department Administration, Assessment &
Collaboration
Percent Effort: 20%
- Serve as one of the department's certified First Aid/CPR/AED
Instructors by conducting certification courses and maintaining
training records for student employees and staff.
- Manage Outdoor Recreation budgets including trip expenses,
special events, equipment inventory, student wages, and operational
expenditures.
- Collaborate with Recreational Sports staff and campus partners
to plan and execute special events, collaborative programs, and
student engagement initiatives.
- Serve as a liaison between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
and university departments to develop outdoor programming
opportunities, including service-learning and community engagement
projects.
- Develop outdoor activity-themed collaborative programming with
campus departments, student organizations, and university
programs.
- Assist with departmental assessment efforts by collecting
participation data, evaluating program effectiveness, and preparing
reports related to learning outcomes and student engagement.
- Oversee assigned departmental special events and
projects.
- Assist with departmental strategic initiatives, risk management
efforts, and operational planning.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Outdoor Recreation, Parks and
Recreation, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Sports Management,
or a related field.
- One (1) year of professional experience in outdoor recreation,
campus recreation, experiential education, or a related
field.
- Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating outdoor
recreation programs and special events.
- Experience recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating
student employees.
- Experience with outdoor recreation risk management, equipment
operations, and participant safety.
- Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification or the ability to
obtain certification within six (6) months of employment.
- Ability to obtain American Red Cross (or equivalent) First
Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification within one (1) year of
employment.
- Valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain within six
(6) months of employment.
- Ability to communicate effectively, manage multiple priorities,
and work collaboratively with various populations.
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR),
Leave No Trace Trainer, or other nationally recognized outdoor
certifications.
- Work some evenings and weekends, and to include possibly some
overnight travel.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Recreation, Higher Education, Student
Affairs, Outdoor Recreation, or a related field.
- Experience managing a collegiate outdoor recreation program,
rock wall, equipment rental center, or adventure-based
programming.
- Current American Red Cross (or equivalent) First Aid/CPR/AED
Instructor certification.
- Experience supervising graduate assistants and full-time or
student staff.
- Experience developing and managing program budgets and
assessing program outcomes.
- Experience collaborating with state agencies, parks
departments, or community partners.
- Active involvement with NIRSA, AORE, or other related
professional organizations.
SALARY: $43,888 - $48,853.08/annually, approximately
- $3,657.34 - $4,071.09/monthly
NOTE: Employment may be impacted by the Presidential
proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued
by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.
BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)
From our generous
benefits package and
professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs
and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is
an engaging and rewarding place to work.
Insurance
- Medical
- $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university
contribution ($920 value).
- Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:
- Employee and Spouse
- Employee and Children
- Employee and Family coverage
- Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability,
Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
On-campus wellness
opportunities
Work Life
Solutions:
- Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and
Legal Resources
Tuition
Benefits:
- Public Loan Forgiveness
- Book scholarships
- 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year
(other rules may apply).
Retirement
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement
Plan (ORP)
- Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
Time Off:
- 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
- 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
- 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
- 12-15 paid holidays each year.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a
criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon
the institution's verification of credentials and/or other
information required by the institution's procedures, including the
completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
To apply, visit https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TAMUCC_External/job/Corpus-Christi-TX/Coordinator-of-Outdoor-Recreation---Student-Development_R-096622-1
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