Greater Chicago Midwest HERC

Position Overview
KU RECREATION SERVICES, a department within Student Affairs, provides a campus-wide impact by improving the quality of life for all students, faculty, staff, affiliates, retirees, alumni, spouses, and domestic partners through our fitness and wellness initiatives. RECREATION SERVICES provides state-of-the-art recreational programs, facilities, and services.

The University of Kansas RECREATION SERVICES department seeks an Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits to play an essential role in the management and support of RECREATION SERVICES core functions including, but not limited to, the comprehensive management of the Outdoor Pursuits program. The work of the Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits will directly support RECREATION SERVICES programmatic efforts and initiatives to support its core values of Community, Excellence, Experience, Growth, and Integrity which align directly with KU's Institutional Priorities of Healthy and Vibrant Communities and Student Success.

Programs within RECREATION SERVICES include Fitness, Intramurals, Sport Clubs, and Outdoor Pursuits. Fitness offers KU Fit group fitness with classes focused on cardio, strength, mind-body wellness, personal training, and fitness assessments. Intramurals play team sports, team tournaments, and individual activities. Sport Clubs participate in a wide variety of competitive, recreational, and instructional sports. Outdoor Pursuits offers a rock-climbing wall and equipment rental center. Additional information can be found at www.recreation.ku.edu

This position is a full-time Administrative Exempt position that will report to the Senior Assistant Director of Programs and will administer comprehensive Outdoor Pursuits, Student Leadership and Assessment programs with as many as 900 participants, 5000 participations and 20 student employees.

Job Description

20% Student Leadership (department-wide)

• Develop, implement, maintain and evaluate a comprehensive student leadership program.
• Develop structured workshops, curriculum, and programs.
• Facilitate training on leadership theories and styles.
• Create intentional learning outcomes tied to student employment experiences.
• Support career readiness initiatives (resume, mock interviews, transferable skills)
• Update student staff manual and establish a leadership pipeline.

15% - Assessments, Reports and Strategic Planning

• Conceptualize, develop, and implement ongoing departmental and unit assessment and data collection program.
• Collect and maintain needed data and statistics related to the mission of the department and communicate monthly with Student Affairs.
• Member of the Student Affairs Assessment Committee.

5% Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications

1. High School diploma or GED equivalency and five years related experience OR Bachelor's degree plus one year related experience.
2. One year of programming experience to include supervision, organizational tasks and training, as evidenced in application materials.
3. Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by the application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in Recreation, Sports Administration, Health/Physical Education, Exercise Science, Higher Education or related field.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and management of an outdoor pursuits program as evidenced in the application materials.
3. Experience supervising staff, as evidenced in application materials.
4. Work experience in a university setting, as evidenced in application materials.
5. Experience in the administration of a similarly sized comprehensive outdoor pursuits program, as evidenced in application materials.
6. Professional involvement such as presenting or committee work, particularly involvement with organizations such as AORE, NIRSA, NRPA, NASPA or ACPA, as evidenced in application materials.
7. Team-oriented and independent to work on multiple tasks, as evidenced in application materials.
8. Experience with computer applications such as Fusion, When to Work, Connect2Concepts or Connect2, as evidenced in application materials.
9. Experience with program budgets and risk management procedures, as evidenced in application materials.
10. Certification as an instructor for American Heart Association CPR/AED training, or current CPR/AED certification with a willingness to obtain instructor certification within one month of the start date.

Contact Information to Applicants
Chris Wash
cwash@ku.edu
785.864.5623
Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins June 15, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Advertised Salary Range
49,600-60,000
Application Review Begins
15-Jun-2026
Anticipated Start Date
02-Aug-2026
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
1.0
Reg/Temp
Regular
FLSA Status
Administrative
Employee Class
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Location Assignment
On-Site
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.