department logo

Recreational Sports and Fitness (RSF)

Graduate Assistantship (GA) for the Outdoor Recreation: Rental Shop: Bike, Ski, and Repair Shop Focus

The below listed application materials must be submitted to Dan Sandberg at  [email protected] by March 12, 2023. We will continue to accept applications until the GA position has been filled.

Description of Opportunity:

This Graduate Assistant will join a team of four dedicated professionals at the Montana State University Outdoor Recreation Program and work closely with a second Graduate Assistant and undergraduate student staff. 

  1. Position duration – This position requires a commitment of 19 hours/week, including office hours, for 10 months. Position dates: August 1- May 31.
  2. Position description –GA for Rental Shop: Bike, Ski, and Repair Shop Focus
  • This position serves to grow and support a team of student staff that coordinate the Outdoor Recreation Program bike shop, ski/board shop, and repair shops. These program areas will be expanding into a brand-new dedicated space within the Student Wellness Center (estimated opening date: Spring 2024)
  • Oversight over public drop-in hours for bike, ski/board, and general gear repair
  • Facilitate the timely repair and maintenance of program equipment, including both rental and trip leading equipment
  • Act as a lead instructor and mentor on bike maintenance, ski/board maintenance, and repair clinics and courses alongside undergraduate student staff instructors
  • Assist in the overall administration and management of the Rental Shop, including student staff supervision
  • Assist in the planning, curriculum development, and delivery of a comprehensive student staff leadership development program, with a major focus on ongoing mentorship
  • Support other areas of the Outdoor Recreation Program including the climbing wall, day trips and promotion at on-campus events
  • Assist in the overall administrative and management of the Outdoor Recreation Program through participation in weekly administration team meetings, monthly rental shop team meetings, and semesterly all-staff meetings
  • Assist in the overall administrative and management of the Recreational Sports and Fitness Department, including regular participation in committee work
  • GA’s must enroll in and be accepted to an MSU Graduate program prior to formal acceptance of the assistantship
  • The GA is intended to be a 2-year assistantship
    • The GA will be evaluated and reviewed each semester
    • RSF and/or the academic department may terminate the assistantship at any time with proper cause

Required skills/qualifications –

  • 2-5 years’ experience in education and/or recreation programming
  • Proven experience in a mentorship role
  • Experience that demonstrates a proven ability to act in a lead instructor role on bike 0R ski/board maintenance clinics and classes
  • Personal experience repairing a variety of outdoor gear
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Competence in basic word processing and spreadsheets
  • Current CPR/AED at the time of hiring (can be taken internally)

Preferred skills/qualifications –

  • Experience that demonstrates a proven ability to act in a lead instructor role on bike AND ski repair clinics and classes
  • Experience teaching the repair of a variety of outdoor gear
  • Two years working with a campus recreation department or other similar organization
  • Experience working with university outdoor recreation programs
  • Undergraduate degree (preferred course work in recreation management, business, natural resource management, education or related field)

Graduate School Qualifications

  • Enroll in 6 or more credits at the 5xxx level each semester, be degree-seeking in a graduate program at MSU Bozeman
  • Cumulative and program of study GPA of 3.00 or better
  • Make progress toward the achievement of the graduate degree as judged by annual academic performance review

*This position is part of the Graduate Student Union. As such, the student must pay either monthly union dues or representation fees. If workplace issues arise, the student in the position will need to take concerns to their supervisor or the University’s Human Resources department.

Transferable/portable skill description – Candidates will:

  • Gain experience as both a staff and faculty member within the field of university administration
  • Apply planning, scheduling and marketing skills
  • Learn leadership and management strategies to work with a wide variety of college students
  • Work with a variety of campus professionals
  • Develop management and business skills transferable to any industry
  • Learn how to be a team player on a very dynamic, visionary, and fast moving student wellness team

 

Supervision:

  • Direct Supervisor: Oakley Wurzweiler
  • The GA will have the opportunity to interact closely with the entire team of professionals throughout ORP and RSF

Works primarily with:

  • Undergraduate students
  • Staff

Performance and Feedback:

  • Each GA will receive a formal evaluation each semester. This is important to make sure both the assistant and the supervisor are achieving the goals set out at the beginning of the semester
  • We believe that systematic feedback is critical. This will come in the form of regular 1:1 meetings

Compensation:

  • Stipend: Minimum of $1,500/month for an appointment requiring no more than 19 hours a week
  • RSF will cover the cost of 12 credits tuition/semester for GA’s accepted into this program. University fees and other fees are the responsibility of the student
  • Additional payment by RSF: Mandatory additional payment of $170 per month for health insurance or other living expenses, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
  • Professional development is very important to us: RSF will provide compensation to attend a limited number of regional professional development conferences and workshops. There are also funds available to attend national or international conferences, but the Assistant must apply for these funds as they are available

 

GA Conduct:

  • Exercise a sense of responsibility, judgment, and integrity on and off campus. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with all RSF and MSU policies; the Student Conduct Code; local, state, and federal laws
  • Know, understand and adhere to University policies. Be well versed in the rationale behind them so that you can inform students of this information properly

To apply:

  • To apply for a position, please submit the following to
    [email protected],the Outdoor Program Senior Coordinator:
    • Cover letter
    • Current resume or CV
    • List of three professional references