Edtech.com's Summary

Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Challenge Course Facilitator. The role runs teambuilding and high ropes programs for groups, including youth, through the Department of Campus Recreation, with the facilitator acting as site manager at the Stone Valley Recreation Area. It is a seasonal position that also involves supervising, training, and assessing the program's facilitator staff.

Highlights

Act as site manager at Stone Valley Recreation Area by briefing the facilitator team on each day's programs, assigning roles and tasks, and serving as the primary contact for group leaders.
Supervise facilitators to make sure recommended program practices, safety protocols, and participant monitoring are followed, and lead post-activity processing and reflection with participants.
Help the Group Programs Coordinator train and assess staff by leading Facilitation 101, Belay Training, and High Ropes Training, preparing agendas and lesson plans, and administering written competency tests.
Manage program bookings, agreements, and documentation, and review post-program feedback surveys with group leaders.
Oversee pre-program inspections, activity setup, and course shutdown, perform participant rescues when needed, and follow emergency action plans and standard operating procedures.
Drive University vehicles, which requires passing a motor vehicle records check, along with PA State Police, PA Child Abuse History, and FBI fingerprint background clearances.
Hold a valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification (Wilderness First Aid preferred) and have experience leading staff and participants in high ropes and teambuilding programming; Level 1 or 2 Challenge Course Practitioner certification is preferred.
Seasonal position from April through September, working about 20 to 24 hours per week, up to 40 in the summer, including holidays and weekends, mostly at Stone Valley Recreation Area with occasional programs on campus.

Challenge Course Facilitator Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Challenge Course Facilitator

The Department of Campus Recreation is seeking to fill the position of Challenge Course Facilitator. This entry level position is responsible for facilitating high quality teambuilding experiences for challenge course and high ropes participants, including youth.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Act as site manager for programs at Stone Valley Recreation Area
- Meet with Facilitator team to go over the details of the days program(s) and assign roles/tasks
- Be the primary point of contact for Group Leaders
- Supervise Facilitators to ensure recommended practices in program application, safety protocols, and overall participant monitoring are being followed
- Conduct post-activity processing and reflection with participants
- Oversee course/program shutdown and clean-up
- Complete all pre-/post-program paperwork
Assist Group Programs Coordinator with supervision, training, and assessment of staff
- Supervise and provide feedback to Group Program Staff during scheduled programs
- Lead Facilitation Workshops, Facilitation 101, Belay Training, and High Ropes Training
- Prepare training and meeting agendas and lesson plans
- Assess staff for competency in various program areas, provide feedback, and administer written test
- Facilitate staff meeting activities to promote team bonding and cohesion
Assist with overall program operations and administration
- Contact group leaders regarding inquiries about program offerings
- Management of program bookings and agreements
- Monitoring and completing all program documentation in the appropriate time frame
- Administering and reviewing post-program feedback surveys with group leaders
Risk Management
- Oversee all pre-program inspections and activity setup
- Familiarity with program equipment, usage, and inspection
- Ability to perform participant rescues
- Report maintenance or safety issues in a timely manner
- Follow all EAPs and SOPs as required
Assist student leaders or full-time staff members with special tasks, projects, events, or other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Drive University vehicles (must pass MVR check)

Work Environment:

Work will mostly be conducted at Stone Valley Recreation Area but occasional program on campus may also be necessary

Requirements/Prerequisites:

Possess valid First Aid/CPR/AED Certification or higher; Wilderness First Aid or higher preferred.
Experience in a leadership position managing staff and participants on High Ropes and Teambuilding Programming
Level 1 or 2 Challenge Course Practitioner Certification (Preferred)
Attention to detail

Expectations:

Attendance/Availability
- work approximately 20-24 hours per week, up to 40 hours possible through the summer
- Seasonal position lasting from April through September
- Holidays and weekends required

Ongoing Development - should be committed to personal and professional development as demonstrated by active participation in staff training and engaging in personal/professional skill development opportunities as need to maintain skills relevant to job responsibilities.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESThis position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Hotlines