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Title: GA - Pre-Professional - Campus Recreation - Adventure Program - Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
Division Name: Student Affairs
Department: Campus Recreation
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Graduate Assistant will primarily manage one program area (trips, climbing wall, or equipment rental operations). Specific duties include:

1. Plan and implement a variety of adventure activities.
2. Instruct and train students on outdoor technical skills.
3. Assist with hiring, supervision, training, and evaluation of student team members.
4. Assist in the daily operation of the Redbird Adventure Center.
5. Assist with inventory, inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of outdoor equipment.
6. Develop and implement program policies, procedures, and risk management plans.
7. Maintain participant statistics and program cost analyses.
8. Develop civic engagement activities that address leadership development, diversity, and community responsibility.
9. Support all areas of the Adventure Program as needed.
10. Graduate Assistant schedule may include nights and weekends based on program needs.
11. Collaborate with other Campus Recreation team members and assist with department events as needed.
12. Serve as an instructor for American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid classes for Campus Recreation team members.
13. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by the department.

Additional Information

Campus Recreation encourages the campus community to embrace fun and well-being through movement, challenge, and play.

The Outdoor Adventure Program is comprised of 4 main areas: Outdoor Trips, Outdoor Equipment Rentals, Indoor Climbing Wall, and Team Building. The Outdoor Adventure program operates 14 – 20 outdoor trips to ISU students each year that range in duration from 5 hours to 10 days in length. Trip activities include hiking, camping, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, caving, outdoor climbing, and backpacking. The Outdoor Adventure Program offers equipment rental to the ISU community at reasonable prices from sleeping bags to kayaks and everything in-between. The Team Building Program works with groups to develop skills in leadership, problem solving, decision making, communication, and more. The Outdoor Adventure Program offers portable, low ropes, dynamic high ropes, and static high ropes opportunities. The Indoor Climbing Wall offers instructional and recreational climbing of the 47-foot-high wall and 15-foot bouldering cave. The Outdoor Adventure Graduate Assistant will play a significant role in the overall organization and administration of a comprehensive Outdoor Adventure Program. The primary focus of the Outdoor Adventure Graduate Assistant will be on trip operations but will be asked to help within all four areas of the program as needed. This position will also work with the Assistant Director of Leadership and Development to help plan and execute departmental events and initiatives. Questions concerning this position may be directed to Alex Perronne, Assistant Director at arperro@ilstu.edu or 309-438-8427.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$2,024 per month

Required Qualifications

1. Eligible for appointment as per the requirements in the Graduate Assistant Handbook which can be found at http://hr.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/GA_Handbook.pdf
2. Must be a degree seeking graduate student at Illinois State University in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation (KNR).

Work Hours

TBD

Proposed Starting Date

August 1st, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume & Cover Letter

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

This is a 9.5 month Graduate Assistantship, with a contract period August 1, 2026 - May 15, 2027. As a GA, you will be expected to adhere to the University Administrative Calendar and all expectations as set forth in the offer letter. An extension of this appointment is available, pending satisfactory performance.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2026 or until position is filled.

Note: If you have not yet been assigned a University ID, but are interested in applying for this graduate assistantship, please proceed with the graduate assistant application process. For the first question regarding your University ID, simply enter in nine (9) zeros (e.g., 000000000).

You must be eligible for employment in the United States and at Illinois State University and/or for the number of hours required for the position.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held. International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work up to 28 hours per week when the university is not in session. Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services for guidance on visa restrictions on work hours. The University cannot grant exceptions to visa status rules/laws.

Benefits for Graduate Assistants can be found in the Graduate Assistant Handbook (http://hr.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/GA_Handbook.pdf).

Contact Information for Applicants

Questions concerning this position may be directed to Angel Seal Campus Recreation, aseal@ilstu.edu (309) 438-0750.

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.