Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation Graduate Assistantships Now Open for the 2022-2023 Academic Year!

The Department of Campus Recreation at the University of Mississippi is seeking dynamic and talented individuals to help us achieve our vision of being a flagship collegiate recreation program. We will be hiring six (6) Graduate Assistant positions for the 2022-2023 academic year in the following program areas:

• Facility Operations (1)
• Fitness (1)
• Intramural Sports & Sport Clubs (1)
• Marketing (1)
• Ole Miss Outdoors (2)

Qualifications:
Acceptance into the University of Mississippi Graduate School in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in a related field. Note: Students pursuing online graduate degree programs or an MBA will not be eligible for a graduate assistantship. For a complete list of programs offered and application deadlines visit: https://gradschool.olemiss.edu/apply-now/graduate-programs-and-deadlines/

Application Procedure: 
All qualified applicants should submit their cover letter, resume, list of three professional references, GPA, and GRE (verbal, quantitative, & writing) scores to the contact indicated for the respective positions below. Preference will be given to applications received before December 1, 2021.

Employer Information Zoom Session:
Interested in learning more about our GA openings, graduate school programs, the University of Mississippi, and Oxford, MS? Please attend our graduate assistant information session on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm (central standard time). Use this link to attend our session: https://olemiss.zoom.us/j/99817041070

Campus Recreation Graduate Assistantships Open Positions & Job Descriptions:

Graduate Assistant – Facility Operations (1): 
The Graduate Assistant will assist the Facility Operations team with the management, administration and supervision of the South Campus Recreation Center, the Thomas N. Turner Center and the Blackburn-McMurray Outdoor Sports Complex. The Graduate Assistant will work within a structured program designed to provide quality experiences centered on academic performance, professional development, and social/personal achievement. Responsibilities include indoor and outdoor facility management; membership services and locker management; policy development; recruitment, training, scheduling, supervision and evaluation of student staff; risk management; facility scheduling; special event programming; assisting with the coordination of RV parking services for home football games; departmental committee contribution. Evening and weekend work will be required. Other duties may be assigned that assist the overall mission of the department. 

Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience in campus recreation programming, scheduling, facility operations & management, membership services, leadership and working on a team.

Contact: 
Jason Shirkey, Associate Director of Campus Recreation
jmshirke@olemiss.edu

 

Graduate Assistant – Fitness (1):  
The Graduate Assistant will assist the Assistant Director of Fitness with the management, administration and supervision of a comprehensive fitness program within the Department of Campus Recreation.  The Graduate Assistant will work within a structured program designed to provide quality experiences centering on academic performance, professional development, and achievement. Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: providing leadership, guidance, and supervision to approximately 75 fitness student employees; supervision of one aspect of the fitness program (group fitness, personal training, fitness center) and assistance in supervision of other aspects; recruit, interview, hire, train and evaluate student employees; create, plan and implement fitness special event and incentive programming; assist in marketing and promotion of all fitness programs; equipment maintenance and repair; on-site event coverage; maintain certifications as an instructor and/or trainer while serving in those capacities and also leading certification prep courses for group fitness and/or personal training; departmental committee contribution. Evening and weekend work will be required.  Other duties may be assigned that assist the overall mission of the department.

Qualifications:
One (1) nationally accredited fitness certification: Group Fitness, Personal Training, Strength and Conditioning, or Health Coach (ACSM, NSCA, ACE, AFAA, NASM, etc) is required prior to the start date of the appointment. Experience in Group Fitness and/or Small Group Training and certification prep course instruction experience is also preferred.

Contact: 
Carey Greenwood, Assistant Director of Fitness
careyg@olemiss.edu  

 

Graduate Assistant – Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs (1): 
The Graduate Assistant will assist the Assistant Director and Coordinator of Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs with the management, administration, and supervision of the Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs program as well as the planning, development and implementation of all offered sports and activities. Primary focus will be the recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation of Intramural Sport Officials and Supervisors and overseeing and developing multiple Sport Club organizations and their officers. Other duties include assisting in policy and procedure development, budget planning, league/tournament scheduling, and sport/event programming. There will be on-site event coverage for both Intramural Sports activities and Sport Club competitions. Additional responsibilities include marketing, promotion and assessment of programs as well as departmental committee contribution.  Evening and weekend work will be required.  Other duties may be assigned that assist the overall mission of the department.

Qualifications:
Experience in officiating Flag Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Floor Hockey and Softball is preferred. Experience in Sport Club management/supervision and adaptive/inclusive programming is also preferred.

Contact: 
Gabrielle Sokol, Assistant Director of Intramural Sports & Sport Clubs
gesokol@olemiss.edu

 

Graduate Assistant – Marketing: (1) 
The Graduate Assistant will report to the Coordinator of Marketing and Member Services and will assist with all departmental marketing efforts. Responsibilities include collaboration with professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees to design and coordinate program promotions and special events; coordinating the creation and distribution of marketing materials and developing relationships with targeted campus and community groups; maintaining the department website, closed circuit television ads, and social media sites; writing press releases and promotional ads; effectively and efficiently partnering with other university departments; serving as a marketing liaison on university committees; assisting in identifying sponsorship/partnership needs for the department and selling sponsorships; and building, maintaining, and evaluating sponsor relationships. Evening and weekend work will be required. Other duties may be assigned that assist the overall mission of the department. 

Qualifications: 
At least one year of involvement as an undergraduate student in marketing, campus recreation, sports marketing, or a related field is required. Word processing, spreadsheet, and desktop publishing computer skills are required. Effective oral and written communication skills are required. Experience with photo and video editing software (Adobe Illustrator & Design, Canva, Final Cut Pro X, or similar) is preferred. 

Contact:  
Mackenzie Humberger, Coordinator of Marketing and Member Services 
mbhumber@olemiss.edu

 

Graduate Assistant –  Outdoors (2): 
The Graduate Assistant will report to the Assistant Director – Outdoors and supervise assigned program areas based on their professional and personal expertise. Graduate assistants will share responsibilities and assist in multiple program areas, including Adventure Trips, Rental Office, Climbing Wall, Outdoor Challenge Course, and Special Events. The graduate assistant positions will be responsible for recruiting, training, developing, and managing student employees within the Ole Miss Outdoors program. In addition, graduate assistants are responsible for marketing, scheduling, and supervision of facilities, including the Climbing Wall, Rebel Challenge Course (high and low ropes course), Rental Office and South Campus Trails. Graduate assistants will serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external inquiries related to the above facilities, coordinate special events, and provide educational programs and clinics related to outdoor recreation. They will assist the Assistant Director with instructing Teaching Techniques for Land-Based Adventures, a two credit-hour academic course designed to prepare students for backcountry leadership. The graduate assistants will also maintain the program’s Flagship level of exposure through marketing resources, promotional venues, student development, and leadership opportunities. Evening and weekend work will be required. Other duties may be assigned that assist the overall mission of the department. 

Qualifications: 
One or more of the following outdoor education certifications: Wilderness First Responder, AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor, or ACCT-Accredited Level 2 or Challenge Course Manager.  Experience in collegiate outdoor recreation, special event planning, and outdoor leadership instruction. Technical skills in several of the following disciplines: backpacking, wilderness living, rock climbing, mountain biking, paddling, high and low ropes course administration, climbing wall maintenance, belay training, and route setting. 

Contact:  
Shannon Richardson, Assistant Director of Outdoors 
shannonb@olemiss.edu

 

About the University of Mississippi Department of Recreation

The Department of Campus Recreation at the University of Mississippi is a dynamic organization that serves over 24,000 university constituents. The department strives to be a flagship program on our campus, in our state, and nationally in the field of collegiate recreation. As the largest employer of students at the university, the department emphasizes student employment as a high-impact practice. Campus Recreation also has a showcase recreation center that provides multiple resources for holistic well-being. 

The South Campus Recreation Center, which was recognized with a NIRSA Outstanding Facility award, opened in the fall of 2019. The 100,000 SF facility includes several innovative elements, including a 6,000 SF functional training zone (4,000 SF inside, 2,000 SF outside). The centerpiece of the facility is north Mississippi’s only indoor climbing wall. There is abundant fitness space (25,000 SF), three fitness studios, two basketball courts, a multi-activity court, walking/jogging track, a classroom with a demonstration kitchen, and a convenience store. Services for wellness education, outdoor programming, and personal training also have dedicated spaces. Two fields for intramural sports, sport clubs, and informal recreation are located adjacent to the facility.

The Thomas N. Turner Center, which houses the natatorium, four basketball courts, jogging track, racquetball courts, fitness center, group fitness studios, and academic classrooms/labs, is a 155,000 SF facility that is centrally located on the university’s main campus.

Outdoor facilities include the 12-acre Blackburn-McMurray Outdoor Sports Complex (includes 4 Intramural fields, 2 Sport Club fields, 2 sand volleyball courts, outdoor fitness rig, and 23-hole disc golf course), six outdoor tennis courts, the Rebel Challenge Course, and South Campus Rail Trail.

Graduate assistants have outstanding professional development opportunities such as involvement in professional staff meetings, annual budget preparation, operation of two recreation facilities and multiple outdoor spaces, direct supervision of student employees, and leadership on a variety of departmental committees. Our graduate assistants have served in several NIRSA leadership roles, including national student leader, state student leader, and student lead-on committees. 

There are academic programs that suit a variety of interests. The department has excellent relationships with the Higher Education, Sport and Recreation Administration, Exercise Science, and Athletic Training programs and highly encourages graduate assistants to pursue practical, co-curricular educational opportunities.

 

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.