Challenge Course Facilitator

Penn State University•University Park, IL

22h•Onsite

About The Position

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. The role involves acting as a site manager for programs, coordinating with the facilitator team, serving as the primary contact for Group Leaders, and supervising other facilitators to ensure safety protocols and recommended practices are followed. Key duties include conducting post-activity processing and reflection, overseeing course shutdown and clean-up, and completing all necessary pre- and post-program paperwork. The facilitator will also assist the Group Programs Coordinator with staff supervision, training, and assessment, lead various facilitation and training workshops, prepare training agendas and lesson plans, and assess staff competency. Administrative tasks include assisting with overall program operations, managing program bookings and agreements, completing program documentation, and administering post-program feedback surveys. A critical aspect of the role is risk management, which includes overseeing pre-program inspections, being familiar with equipment usage and inspection, performing participant rescues, reporting maintenance or safety issues, and adhering to Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The position may also involve assisting student leaders or full-time staff with special tasks, projects, or events, and requires driving University vehicles after passing a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check.

Requirements

Possess valid First Aid/CPR/AED Certification or higher
Experience in a leadership position managing staff and participants on High Ropes and Teambuilding Programming
Attention to detail
PA State Police Criminal Background Check
PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
Valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check

Nice To Haves

Wilderness First Aid or higher certification
Level 1 or 2 Challenge Course Practitioner Certification

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
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)