Coordinator, Recreation Operations
Austin Peay State University
The Recreation Operations Coordinator reports to the Associate Director of University Recreation. This role supports Austin Peay State University’s commitment toward building and sustaining a vibrant campus community by ensuring safe, and well-managed recreational facilities that foster student engagement, leadership development and wellbeing. The coordinator serves as part of a team that drives the strategy, vision, multidisciplinary and data-informed approach, and operational leadership to develop, inspire, and lead the care, standards, and wellbeing to create a campus community where students thrive.
This position collaborates in a cross-Divisional and cross-institutional approach to administer the services, functions, and activities related to student support and campus life operations. The coordinator provides leadership in day-to-day facility management, risk mitigation, student employment development and reservation oversight. Through a student-centered approach, this role contributes to a caring and safe campus environment, that supports holistic student success through recreation, leadership opportunities, and professional skill development.
Characteristics of a successful candidate:
Integrity, creativity, and decisiveness.
- Motivation to create an inclusive and safe student experience.
Ability to serve with agility and manage multiple priorities.
- A commitment to practicing open communication and inspiring trust.
Desire to collaborate with colleagues.
- Demonstrated sincere enjoyment from working with students and developing student leaders.
Responsibilities include:
Operations
Collaborate with the Associate Director in oversight of facility operations, maintenance coordination and custodial services.
Ensure Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and emergency response procedures are current, practiced, and consistently implemented across all operational areas.
Support implementation, enforcement, and regular review of facility safety policies, access procedures, student conduct policies, and standard operating procedures.
Coordinate facility safety initiatives, preventative maintenance, and risk-management improvements in collaboration with contractors, and campus partners.
Maintain accurate risk management documentation, including accident/incident reports, compliance records, and inspection logs.
Audit and maintain CPR/AED/First Aid certifications for all University Recreation employees.
Provide supervisory coverage during weekday evenings, and weekends as part of the operational rotation, serving as the on-site professional responsible for safe facility operations, appropriate staffing levels, incident response, patron support, and reservation coordination.
Oversee facility-related budgets, including payroll, program and maintenance expenses, and revenue tracking.
Forecast and monitor wages, staffing levels, expenses and revenue to assist with future budget preparation and fiscal stewardship.
Maintain a working knowledge of operations and procedures for all areas of University Recreation.
Reservations and Facility Use
Coordinate internal and external reservation requests and space usage.
Communicate with reservation groups and manage invoice submission, payment tracking and contract compliance.
Ensure membership and program information is accurate in recreation management software and across digital and print platforms.
Communicate effectively with University Recreation leadership regarding reservations, special events and facility requirements.
Provide night and weekend oversight for reservation setups, event supervision, and special facility bookings.
Student Employment and Leadership Development
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop and evaluate 12-25 student employees, including Customer Service Attendants (CSA) and Facility Attendants.
Develop and implement ongoing training aligned campus recreation best practices, emphasizing transferable skill development, professionalism, customer service excellence and leadership growth.
Enforce and communicate university and department policies with employees and patrons.
Create, identify, and assess program goals and student learning outcomes in alignment with University and Division missions and strategic plans.
Provide high-quality customer service in all interactions, modeling professionalism and accountability.
Department and Division
Maintain open communication with the Associate Director to engage in issue-spotting, strategic problem-solving, and continuous operational improvement.
Collaborate with University Recreation staff to advance the departmental and divisional vision,
mission, core values, and strategic plan.
Support the mission of University Recreation, Student Affairs, and APSU through participation in departmental initiatives, campus-wide events, and committees.
Collaborate with APSU departments and community partners to enhance service delivery and student engagement.
Remain current through professional development and participation in relevant professional organizations.
Prepare timely and accurate operational and assessment reports.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
- Red Cross Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification for CPR/AED/First Aid.
- Experience with facility management systems and recreation management software.
- Experience leading special initiatives, operational improvements, or strategic planning efforts.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree.
Experience in facility management and supervision.
Knowledge of best practices within campus recreation.
Maintain Red Cross Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid certification (or obtain within the first ninety (90) days of hire).
Ability to work outside normal business hours; including evenings and weekends.
Demonstrated collaboration and communication skills.
Ability to lead, develop and work with a diverse staff.
Advanced oral and written communication skills.
Ability to administer multiple deadlines and tasks effectively.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and assess data.
Valid driver’s license.
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.
Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU: https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/.
Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU’s full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.
The Recreation Operations Coordinator reports to the Associate Director of University Recreation. This role supports Austin Peay State University’s commitment toward building and sustaining a vibrant campus community by ensuring safe, and well-managed recreational facilities that foster student engagement, leadership development and wellbeing. The coordinator serves as part of a team that drives the strategy, vision, multidisciplinary and data-informed approach, and operational leadership to develop, inspire, and lead the care, standards, and wellbeing to create a campus community where students thrive.