Outdoor Adventure Center Coordinator

Job Location: This position will check in to Headquarters (861 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412), but does travel throughout Charleston County.

About the role

The Outdoor Adventure Center Coordinator I assists in managing the efficient operation of the Outdoor Adventure Center and supervises part-time staff. Ensures the needs for outdoor programming in the areas of climbing, land, and challenge course programs are met for the Charleston community. Coordinates the customer experience to ensure exceptional customer satisfaction, including providing a clean, safe, and well-maintained park facility and delivering high-value services that adhere to safety standards. Requires evening, weekend, and holiday work, as well as "on-call" status for emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with Outdoor Adventure Center part-time staff, volunteers, and interns to develop and deliver recreation and adventure services in climbing, land and challenge course programs, and portable wall programs at festivals and events.
• Assists with the promotion of the Outdoor Adventure Center facility and its programs.
• Builds and maintains professional relationships and partnerships with educational institutions, affiliated associations, organizations, community groups, civic groups, businesses, non-profits, industry professionals, subject matter experts, and citizens.
• Assists with managing daily facility operations, including scheduling staff, retail purchasing and sales, and inventory control.
• Assists with managing the Park Maintenance and Repair (PMR) process, including identifying projects, design review, procurement, project management, and completion.
• Coordinates climbing and land programs, challenge courses, mountain biking, and other program areas, including youth programs, camps, archery, and paddle sports.
• Serves as on-call staff for outdoor programs and activities.
• Ensures all Outdoor Adventure programs protect natural resources and environmental quality of county park facilities and other program locations.
• Assists in managing, scheduling, and monitoring day-to-day operations of the Outdoor Adventure Center, ensuring procedures and policies are followed for patron and staff safety.
• Coordinates and participates in the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of part-time personnel and volunteers.
• Delivers exceptional customer service by responding to public inquiries, suggestions, complaints, and requests regarding the agency’s programs and events.
• Represents the agency professionally through presentations, business meetings, and other interactions.
• Contributes to the strategic planning process, including evaluating, researching, and developing goals and objectives related to outdoor adventure programming, camps, climbing walls, and challenge courses.
• Participates in budget preparation for the Outdoor Adventure Center and its programs, complies with budget restrictions, and provides input on revenue opportunities while controlling expenses.
• Coordinates safety training, procedures, records, inspections, and incident reports for outdoor adventure programs to ensure compliance with ADA, OSHA, SCDES, and other regulatory bodies.
• Coordinates the proper implementation of the agency’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Ensures compliance with industry best practices and accreditation standards for the Outdoor Adventure team.
• Stays current on safety and risk management in the outdoor adventure field.
• Assists Outdoor Adventure in serving as a training resource for the agency and the region.
• Coordinates staff in the proper utilization, care, and maintenance of all outdoor adventure tools and equipment.
• Maintains affiliations and certifications with professional organizations, including the South Carolina Recreation and Park Association, National Recreation and Park Association, American Mountain Guide Association, Leave No Trace, American Canoe Association, and Association of Challenge Course Technology.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in park and recreation administration or a related field with five years of relevant experience is preferred. Supervisory experience is also preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered, such as an associate degree and six years of relevant experience or a high school diploma/GED and eight years of relevant experience.
• First Aid/CPR, Paddling Instructor, Challenge Course certifications, and Emergency Medical Responder certifications are preferred.
• Must pass a drug test and criminal background check and possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
• Sufficient knowledge of park and recreation administration and outdoor adventure sports, including risk management, decision-making, and activities (e.g., sea and whitewater kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, archery).
• Extensive experience in low and high challenge course facilitation, Leave No Trace Ethics, and rock climbing programming.
• Extensive training in team-building skills.
• Extensive knowledge of safety regulations and personal protection equipment.
• Extensive experience in training staff on various equipment and vehicles.
• Sufficient experience interacting effectively with agency officials, elected officials, contractors, inspectors, and vendors.
• Sufficient experience using Microsoft and other common office technology hardware and software.
• Extensive experience actively listening and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to small and large groups.
• Extensive experience in recognizing, researching, analyzing, and solving problems both independently and within teams.
• Sufficient experience in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring qualified candidates, and developing employees and volunteers through supervising, mentoring, evaluating, and performance improvement.
• Extensive experience in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with fellow employees and dealing courteously and effectively with the public.
• Extensive experience in providing outstanding customer service, both internally and externally.
• Sufficient knowledge of fiscal management and applying and monitoring annual budgets.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Frequently moves and remains stationary in office environments, indoor park facilities, and outdoors.
• Frequently traverses outdoor terrain, including concrete, pavement, grass, dirt, mud, gravel, sand, and aquatic environments.
• Frequently writes, reads, processes, and moves documents.
• Frequently operates equipment such as computers, copiers, printers, and scanners.
• Frequently communicates with staff and the public in person, online, and by phone.
• Frequently travels to central and remote locations throughout Charleston County.
• Frequently operates watercraft and vehicles such as cars and trucks.
• Frequent exposure to extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, precipitation, wind, sunlight, and humidity.
• Frequently moves, lifts, and transports equipment and miscellaneous items weighing up to 50 pounds and to heights of 10 feet.
• Must be comfortable in water up to and including Class three whitewater and ocean conditions up to and including Small Craft Advisory set by the National Weather Service.
• Requires ascending and descending a 50ft climbing wall.
• May be required to work in confined spaces.

Pay

Annual Salary: $57,612.46

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Optional Life and Disability Insurance
• Optional Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Annual and Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) State Retirement Plan – both agency and employee contribute
• Optional Deferred Compensation Program with employer matching funds
• Longevity Pay Increases
• Optional Federal Credit Union Membership
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Professional and Skill Development Training
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Program with free annual onsite screenings
• Free admission to all parks and facilities, including beaches and waterparks
• Free admission to a variety of special events
• Discounts on food, beverage, and gift shop items
• Free beach chair, umbrella, pedal boat, and bike rentals
• Free admission to more than 25 participating attractions around town with a Charleston County Parks employee ID