Outdoor Recreation Coordinator (Full-Time; Seasonal)

Description

Mountain Recreation provides a dynamic and engaging environment for both participants and staff—one that promotes skill development, movement, life skills, and fun! We’re looking for enthusiastic applicants who excel in teamwork, demonstrate strong communication, and exemplify our core values in every interaction. 

We are seeking qualified individuals to introduce youth to outdoor leadership skills, natural science education, and outdoor recreation in remote settings during our overnight youth programs in the Colorado National Monument and White River National Forest.

Outdoor Recreation Coordinators must be passionate about working with youth of various ages and diverse backgrounds. As role models for positive growth, guides will provide support, safety, and guidance to help youth develop an appreciation for nature, acquire the skills needed for overnight outdoor experiences, and thrive in a group learning environment.

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POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Outdoor Recreation Coordinator

Location: District-wide • Edwards Field House (Edwards, CO), Eagle Pool & Ice Rink (Eagle, CO), Gypsum Recreation Center (Gypsum, CO)

Schedule: Full-Time; Hourly. Seasonal – April through end of September

Work Environment: Work will be both indoors and outdoors, with hours varying to meet the demands of the position. This may include evening hours, weekends, holidays, and multi-day trips. Flexibility is required to successfully complete duties. Outdoor work may involve extreme weather conditions. The position requires continuous mental and visual attention, along with physical exertion such as frequent walking, bending, and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted. Duties may also involve pushing, pulling, and kneeling to transport equipment and supplies. The nature of the role is physically demanding and may be stressful, requiring constant safety awareness and attention to diverse participant needs under continuous demand.

Supervision Required: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mountain Recreation Outdoor Recreation Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised: May directly supervise part-time and other seasonal employees, volunteers, chaperones, instructors, and campers.

Salary: $24.22-$30.29/hour; DOE. Opportunity for overtime pay on overnight trips. Staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual skills upon passing a language competency test. 

Seasonal employees in good standing may also qualify for an end-of-season bonus of up to $200. Additionally, through the WFA/WFR Incentive Program, eligible employees can receive partial reimbursement for certification costs (eligibility requirements apply).

Benefits: 

• Retirement Savings: 3.75% employer contribution to a 401(a)-retirement account.
• Paid Time Off: Accrued sick leave in accordance with HFWA.
• Facility Access & Memberships: Complimentary access to all three Mountain Recreation facilities and a free membership to the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Program Discounts: 20% off facility programs for employees and immediate family members.
• Family Discounts: Discounted punch cards for immediate family members at the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Outdoor Gear Perks: Access to pro deals on top outdoor industry brands through ExpertVoice.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Student scholarship programs available.
• Healthcare Options: Opportunity to enroll in Vail Valley Partnership’s One Valley Healthcare Plan—an affordable healthcare program for employees and their families.

Mountain Recreation believes that everyone, including our staff, deserves to be healthy and happy. We foster a culture of accountability and flexibility while offering world-class benefits.

For more details on employee benefits, visit: https://mountainrec.org/benefits-overview/

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

General Statement of Duties: Assist the Outdoor Recreation Supervisor in coordinating and supervising recreation programs and providing high-quality recreation opportunities for the community.

Examples of Duties:

• Team Collaboration: Work on a team with the Outdoor Recreation Supervisor and Full-Time Coordinator to oversee administrative and hands-on tasks associated with running a full season of outdoor recreation programming.
• Program Planning & Execution: Assist the Outdoor Recreation Supervisor and Full-Time Coordinator with planning, coordinating, supervising, and conducting outdoor recreation programs such as backpacking, mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, paddle sports, nature art, environmental stewardship projects, BMX, skateboarding, and hiking.
• Overnight Trip Planning: Help plan overnight programs, including route selection, menu planning, gear preparation, guide briefings, pre-trip communications with participants, creating guide trip folders, and permit tracking.
• Field Support: Provide support to staff in the field, including being on-call, delivering food and supplies, evacuating participants, making weather-related location adjustments, and filling in for field staff as needed.
• Instructor Support: Assist instructors and guides with program setup, rosters, and equipment needs.
• Staff Training: Assist the Outdoor Recreation Supervisor and Full-Time Coordinator in leading pre-season staff trainings.
• Program Evaluation: Shadow program leads and guides in the field and conduct program evaluations to ensure high-quality participant experiences.
• Facility & Gear Maintenance: Inspect and maintain program spaces and the gear room; inventory, repair, and order outdoor recreation gear as needed to ensure safety and readiness.
• Public Relations & Communication: Provide excellent public relations by notifying class participants and instructors of cancellations, schedule changes, new classes, processing refunds, and responding to correspondence.
• Instructor Guidance: Offer guidance to instructors dealing with challenging participant situations.
• Contractor Coordination: Coordinate schedules with contractors and partner agencies to ensure successful outdoor recreation programming.
• Program Logistics: Arrange times, locations, speakers, instructors, officials, and other participants as necessary for recreational programs.
• Transportation Duties: Drive a truck/trailer combination to transport gear and a 15-passenger van to transport program participants.
• Safety & Risk Management: Ensure the safety of participants and staff through the implementation of risk management practices.
• Community Partnerships: Support partnerships with organizations including, but not limited to, recreation departments, school districts, towns, counties, special districts, non-profits, and sports associations.
• Program Logistics Support: Ensure logistical support for all outdoor recreation programs.
• Emergency Response: Provide emergency support and apply risk management practices in the field.
• Customer Service: Deliver exemplary customer service to both internal and external guests.
• Program Marketing & Registration: Develop program descriptions and input registration data. Assist with marketing and promotion efforts in coordination with the Marketing Manager.
• Facility Coordination: Work collaboratively with Facility Supervisors to schedule and coordinate the use of program area facilities in accordance with established priorities and regulations.
• Field Guide Support: Serve as a field guide as needed.
• Special Program Assistance: Assist with planning and implementing the Colorado National Monument (CNM) Program.
• Pre-Season Training: Attend pre-season staff training sessions.
• Facility & Equipment Care: Maintain and care for program facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• Class Instruction: Instruct various recreational classes as needed or as directed by Mountain Recreation, including programs in partnership with Exploramos.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

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Requirements

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Considerable knowledge of: theory, development, practices, implementation, and evaluation of the assigned program area; age- and activity-appropriate program planning; risk management in recreation programs; and knowledge of facilities and equipment required for the assigned program area.

Skills and abilities: 

• Effectively communicate in both verbal and written form.
• Exercise independent initiative, judgment, and decision-making.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, leadership, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Effectively supervise and motivate staff
• Work well with a wide variety of people, including children, youth, and adults.
• Actively participate in activities provided by the program area.
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful, and cooperative relationships with all contacts.
• Lift, restrain, and pursue participants when necessary.
• Lift and transport equipment and supplies.
• Work cooperatively with others and create a positive, constructive relationship with staff and the general public.
• Be proficient in the use of office equipment, including computers.

Requirements:

Education and experience:

• Be 21 years of age or older; AND
• Currently studying recreation or related field; OR 
• Recently graduated from a recreation program or related field; OR
• 2 years of experience in outdoor recreation and/or youth serving programs; OR
• Any satisfactory combination of experience and education which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the above-described duties.
• Physically fit: Backpacking trips in the summer average 5 – 8 miles per day at altitudes between 8,200’ – 13,000’ in varied weather; must be able to carry 70lbs. guide pack. Day hiking involves 2-4 miles and 2,000’ elevation gains; must be able to carry 30lbs. guide pack.
• Ability to pass federal background and motor vehicle check.
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace practices.
• Comfortable with camping, hiking, wilderness travel, and team building experiences.
• Prior experience working with youth and youth overnight outdoor programs.
• Rock climbing, hiking, wilderness travel, and team building experience (preferably in the Rocky Mountain Region).
• Spanish language proficiency and cultural literacy (preferred).

Certifications

• Valid First Aid and CPR certification (required)
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, or the ability to obtain these certifications prior to beginning employment.  Preference will be given to candidates with an active WFR certification.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

You are welcome at Mountain Rec for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what keeps you active. Recreation is for everyone—and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our organization, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It is in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way we PLAY.

Colorado Residents: We are committed to fair hiring practices. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. This position will require the applicant to verify the meeting of a minimum age requirement of 21 years old as such requirement is a bona fide occupational qualification pertaining to public safety and required by law. 

Salary : $24 - $30