Outdoor Adventure Specialist

Join the award-winning Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) team and help make a real impact in this community! As part of our National Gold Medal Award–winning organization, you’ll help bring joy, adventure, and enrichment to millions each year. JCPRD welcomes over 7 million visitors to our parks and engages 3 million+ participants in more than 4,000 programs—and we’re still growing.

When you work at JCPRD, you’re joining a team recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for excellence in parks, recreation, culture, education, and public service. Enjoy outstanding benefits, retirement plans, employee incentives, and a workplace culture built on passion, creativity, and teamwork.

Named Best Large Employer in Johnson County for two years running, JCPRD is the perfect place to grow your career, make a difference, and have fun doing it. Come work where you play—and help us inspire healthier, happier lives for everyone!

The following Leadership Competencies apply to supervisors, managers, and executives based on designated responsibilities: 

• People Management – Clearly defines subordinate roles and responsibilities; motivates employees to perform and delegates work effectively; applies consistent performance standards and handles performance problems decisively and objectively; leads by example.
• Operations Management – Directs and guides operations in alignment with the County’s and department’s overall goals and objectives; ensures the execution of efficient processes to maximize the County’s and department’s resources; utilizes operational knowledge to make sound decisions.
• Strategic Leadership – Determines the strategic direction of the team or department in alignment with overall county goals; effectively communicates strategies internally and externally; creates a culture to support strategies and provides mechanisms to implement them; fosters buy-in and enthusiasm with employees.

Supervises and facilitates TimberRidge Adventure Center outdoor recreation and skills programs including the challenge course, teambuilding programs, summer camps, special events, and other outdoor programming; researches market trends and developments; collects and analyzes customer data to identify needs and evaluate the effectiveness of TimberRidge programming; makes recommendations for new initiatives as well as improvements or enhancements to ensure programs and offerings are designed to accomplish desired objectives and outcomes; monitors and ensures compliance with KDHE childcare licensing regulations as well as challenge course inspections, maintenance and certification requirements per Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards; maintains records and documents related to training, equipment inspection and maintenance logs, emergency procedures, participant forms, etc.; revises and updates training manuals, emergency procedures, program information, and forms. 

Supervises the efficient operation of TimberRidge Adventure Center to include scheduling rentals of the building, shelter, primitive camping, and grounds; maintains rental/usage records/statistics and prepares reports; independently addresses day-to-day customers’ questions and issues; oversees and coordinates ground and building maintenance and janitorial services; oversees and coordinates maintenance and/or replacement of outdoor recreation equipment (kayaks, canoes, bb guns, archery, and vehicles).

Develops, monitors, and manages the annual operations and programming budget for TimberRidge Adventure Center; generates and collects fee revenues through scheduling of programs and facilities rentals to support maximum and efficient use of resources; purchases new and/or replacement equipment and supplies for all programs and facilities.

Markets TimberRidge Adventure Center's programs and facilities to include developing and maintaining a marketing plan; develops and distributes printed and electronic promotional materials to generate and increase awareness and interest in program and facility offerings; researches and analyze market trends; conducts site tours; plans & runs annual open house to showcase facilities and program offerings; develops and maintains cooperative relationships within the District and other public and private organizations to promote and generate strong partnerships.  

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This position is also responsible for the supervision and leadership of employees, which includes making employment-related decisions and/or recommendations, and formally evaluating performance.  

Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.  Scheduling and shift assignments and work location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• BA/BS degree in Environmental Education, Adventure Education, Adventure Programming, Recreation, or a related field.

Preferred Job Requirements:

• Certified Challenge Course Facilitator for Low & High Challenge Course; Certified Challenge Course Manager.

Education/Experience Substitutions:

• Experience may be substituted for degree.  Education may be substituted for experience.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• Sensory abilities, including special vision and/or hearing.     
• Excessive standing and/or walking: 50 %
• Exposure to extreme temperatures. 
• Exposure to heights.
• Exposure to loud noises.
• Lifting 20-100 lbs.
• Weather essential job.
• All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation.
• Uniform Required.
• Belaying, outdoor activities, climbing.
• Weekend and evening work assignments required.                                            

JCPRD requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department.