Program Manager - Experiential Education, OAC
Program Manager - Experiential Education, OAC
Salary: $46,080.00 - $54,212.00 Annually
Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff
Job Number: FY2605579
Closing: 3/17/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Location: 800 W University Parkway, Orem
Division: VP Student Affairs
Position Announcement
Utah Valley University's Outdoor Adventure Center offers a unique opportunity to shape meaningful, high-impact learning experiences beyond the classroom. As the Experiential Education Program Manager, you will play a central role in preparing and mentoring Adventure Trip Leaders while designing and delivering transformative day and multi-day outdoor programs for the UVU community. This position blends leadership development, experiential education, and risk management-allowing you to foster student growth through hands-on learning, thoughtful decision-making, and dynamic group experiences in outdoor settings.
Summary of Responsibilities
- Supervise and mentor trip leaders in the field. Monitor and document leadership, safe practices, group dynamics, and outdoor skills. Lead by example and offer feedback, enforce and adhere to all University and Outdoor Adventure Center policies and procedures. Assist in development and updating policies and procedures in risk management. Facilitate students in program planning and development. Attend pre-trip meetings. Manage post-trip evaluations and budgets. Provide leadership and direction for wilderness medicine when needed, create a calm environment, recognize and respond to incidents and emergencies as appropriate, document, and stay up to date on Wilderness First Responder certification and protocols. Organize evacuations when applicable.
- Develop, coordinate, and attend monthly leadership training sessions for all Adventure Trip Leaders. Training will include; group dynamics, expedition behavior, judgement and decision making, competence in outdoor skills, communication, time management, risk and equipment management. Assist in planning Fall and Spring overnight trainings. Manage certifications for all trip leaders and develop training sessions for specific certifications in Wilderness Medicine, Climbing and Canyoneering, Swift Water Rescue, Avalanche Safety, Leave No Trace, and Mountain Bike Maintenance.
- Supervise students in the trip planning process; quality programming, safe driving, outdoor skills, equipment management, group facilitation, budgeting, competence and overall leadership. Reserve and maintain group equipment, track inventory of trip equipment, ensure equipment is in proper working condition prior to departing on an excursion. Communicate with trip leaders and trip participants on waiver forms, pre-trip meetings, and checklists to ensure preparedness and offer quality customer service. Oversee Adventure Trip Leaders progress and evaluate leadership after excursion is completed. Direct pre and post trip debriefing meetings with trip leaders and Program Director.
- Gather and submit photos from trips and activities to promote and enhance the Outdoor Adventure Center program. Organize weekly posts on Instagram and Facebook. Coordinate recruitment for new trip leaders and scholarship trip leaders. Update OAC website. Administer and promote online registration through University Tickets. Arrange advertising and scheduling in Live and on the UVU calendar. Oversee online trip registrations and work directly with trip leaders to fill excursions.
Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications
- Graduation from an accredited Institution in Recreation or a related field of study.
- At least three years of experience leading groups in an outdoor setting.
- At least two years of experience supervising others.
- One year of experience writing budgets and operating procedures.
- Wilderness First Responder.
- Basic First Aid, CPR, and AED.
- Wilderness EMT.
- AMGA Certified.
- Swift Water Rescue Certified.
- AIARE Avalanche Level 1 & 2.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Knowledge
- Knowledge of various outdoor activities; climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, white water rafting and kayaking, backpacking, and camping.
- Technical knowledge with outdoor equipment use, maintenance, repair and care.
- Experience with Expedition Behavior, Group Development, Outdoor Leadership and Leave No Trace.
- Experience teaching and leading in an outdoor setting.
- Effective verbal and written skills.
- Decision-making skills.
- Skilled in facilitating academic and non-academic, experiential group experiences in the outdoors.
- Strong leadership and organizational skills.
- Supervisory skills.
- Ability to mentor students.
- Ability to manage budgets.
- Ability to lift heavy equipment.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Ability to work independently and creatively with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, chaotic environment.
- Ability to work with students, staff and faculty and communicate clearly.
- Ability to maintain a professional manner and be an example to trip leaders and participants.
EEO Statement:
UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/uvu/jobs/5236506/program-manager-experiential-education-oac
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