Student Affairs - MizzouRec

MizzouRec Services and Facilities provide quality leisure experiences to all members of the campus community, primarily Mizzou students. Through our facilities and programs, we strive to bring our members and guests an environment that inspires and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle.

MizzouRec enhances the student experience by creating a sense of "third place" and belonging with its vast services, facilities and programming - in addition to its unique connection to campus history and traditions.

The Part Time Temporary Venture Out Facilitator oversees daily operations of the outdoor challenge course space and its program offerings.

Venture Out is the University of Missouri's outdoor experiential education program. Located in MizzouRec, we specialize in group team-building, utilizing high ropes and on-the-ground challenge courses. Venture Out serves the entire mid-Missouri community, facilitating team-building courses for everyone from children's groups to corporate professionals.

Facilitators lead groups through our high ropes and on-the-ground team-building programs. Our staff are trained in technical high ropes and climbing skills, as well as in experiential education theory, group facilitation and debrief skills. No previous climbing or experiential education experience is necessary to apply. We're looking for people who are eager to learn and who love to have fun. Venture Out looks for facilitators who love the outdoors, enjoy working with diverse groups of people, are confident and care about leadership development.

New facilitators go through one semester of paid training (4-6 hours per week) before they become full Venture Out facilitators. Facilitators who have completed training do not have a set schedule and work 0-10 hours a week on average. Hours vary greatly week to week and by season.

Essential Functions

Provide a clean and safe environment for all guests.

Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

Responsible for implementation of emergency preparedness standards to facilitate a safe environment for staff and guests.

Be able to exercise sound judgement and decision making in complex situations.

Considerable knowledge of safety standards and precautions pertaining to climbing equipment safety.

Lead small and large groups through high ropes and on-the-ground team-building courses.

Promote self-confidence, positive group dynamics, leadership development concepts, effective communication strategies and successful problem-solving and conflict resolution skills among participants.

Provide clear and concise directions and safety briefings before each challenge.

Facilitate meaningful reflections (debriefs) with participants after each challenge.

Maintain safety protocols, fit harnesses and helmets correctly and ensure participants adhere to safety guidelines to reduce inherent risk in activities.

Assist management with course maintenance and inspection. Report all equipment damage, any malfunctions and required repairs.

Know and teach basic technical skills, including knot-tying, gear use, and top rope-belaying.

Enforce all MizzouRec guidelines and policies with members, guests and Team Mizzou staff.

Additional Responsibilities

Adhere to all University, MizzouRec, Team Mizzou and area-specific guidelines.

Attend mandatory in-services, meetings, and staff training sessions.

As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities is expected in order to serve and maintain our departmental and Student Affairs mission.

Implement emergency protocols when necessary.

Maintain current certification in CPR and Basic First Aid.

Assist in recruiting new members of the Venture Out team.

Present a positive, professional image to the campus community on behalf of Venture Out.

As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities is expected in order to serve and maintain our departmental and Student Affairs mission.

Current American Red Cross CPR/AED certification for adults, children/infants and First Aid or must obtain within 3 months of start date. Must maintain certification for duration of employment in this position.

Must be able to bend, twist, stand, lift, walk and climb up and down structures approximately 30 feet high.

Experience with climbing, belaying, and challenge courses.

Basic risk-management experience in facility setting.

Flexibility to work an irregular schedule, including specifically weekday mornings and early afternoons as assigned; evening and weekend shifts are available as well with priority given to student staff.

Ability to work and communicate in stressful situations with a wide variety of clients.

Familiarity with Venture Out programming and events.

$13.00 Hrly

Average number of hours per week: 8-15

Hours vary based on department needs; may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and/or University holidays and breaks.

Complete application, and upload resume, a cover letter.

Upload a Word document with responses to the following:

- Why are you interested in being a Venture Out Facilitator?

- Describe your group leading experience.

- Describe your climbing and outdoor experience.

- Describe a memorable learning experience you have had.

- Describe any other experience you have had that you feel would positively contribute to your potential role as a Venture Out Facilitator.

This position is not eligible for University benefits. Individuals in non benefit eligible positions may choose to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (403b). For information about this plan, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.