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Challenge Course Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

In this position, the Manager leads the team that provides activities for guest groups, facilitates challenge course elements, leads corporate team building and innovates news experiences for guests.

These include, but are not limited to, the Challenge Course, Zipline, and Climbing Tower. Staff may ... Please contact your manager if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties. * This ...

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Challenge Course Manager information

What are some common challenges a Challenge Course Manager faces when ensuring participant safety during high-adventure activities?

A Challenge Course Manager often encounters the challenge of maintaining rigorous safety standards while facilitating engaging experiences for participants. This includes regularly inspecting equipment, training staff on emergency procedures, and adapting to changing weather or group dynamics. Balancing risk management with participant enjoyment requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Collaboration with facilitators, maintenance teams, and sometimes outside inspectors is essential to uphold safety and program quality.

What is the difference between Challenge Course Manager vs Challenge Course Coordinator?

AspectChallenge Course ManagerChallenge Course Coordinator
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, Challenge Course CertificationCPR, First Aid, Challenge Course Certification
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple courses, manages staff, ensures safety protocolsAssists in course setup, supervises participants, supports safety procedures
ResponsibilitiesProgram management, staff training, safety complianceParticipant supervision, assisting with activities, safety monitoring

The Challenge Course Manager typically holds more responsibilities, including staff management and program oversight, while the Challenge Course Coordinator focuses on participant supervision and supporting course activities. Both roles require similar certifications and work in the same environment, but the Manager has a broader scope of duties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Challenge Course Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Challenge Course Manager, you need expertise in outdoor education, risk management, and facilitation, often supported by certifications such as ACCT Level II or Challenge Course Manager credentials. Familiarity with course inspection tools, safety systems, and incident reporting software is typically required. Strong leadership, clear communication, and problem-solving skills help you effectively supervise staff and ensure participant safety. These skills are crucial for maintaining a safe, engaging environment and delivering high-quality experiences for clients.

What does a Challenge Course Manager do?

A Challenge Course Manager oversees the operation, safety, and maintenance of challenge courses, which are outdoor or indoor facilities designed for team-building and personal development activities. They are responsible for managing staff, ensuring compliance with safety standards, training facilitators, and coordinating group events. Additionally, they may inspect equipment, develop programs, and interact with clients to ensure a positive and safe experience for all participants.
What are popular job titles related to Challenge Course Manager jobs in California? For Challenge Course Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Challenge Course Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Challenge Course Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Challenge Course Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Challenge Course Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Challenge Course Manager job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

$106K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Special Instructions to Applicants
This is a [6] month contract with the possibility of extension and/or conversion to a career appointment.
Department Summary
UCLA Recreation is a large department within the Division of Campus Life in Student Affairs with approximately 90 full-time career and contract and over 1,000 part-time employees. UCLA Recreation provides extensiveaccess to a broad range of recreational activities and wellbeing services and offers programming which encompasses the competitive, passive, social, cultural, and instructional aspects of recreational activity. Inaddition, the department manages 15 of the University's recreational and athletic facilities offering recreation, competition, and numerous multi-use options for student and university events.
Position Summary
Under direction from the Outdoor Adventures Program Director, the Outdoor Adventures Challenge Course Coordinator is responsible for the development, coordination, and supervision of the Challenge Course, and other experiential program delivery. This includes responsibility for risk management, inspections, protocol management, scheduling, payroll submission, student-staff training and hiring, curriculum development, program evaluation and marketing for these programs. Incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of a broad-based and well-balanced curriculum of recreational and physical educational programs designed for students, members, campus groups, off campus groups, and youth groups, following nationally recognized standards and practices as set forth by university recreation and national governing bodies and organizations as deemed appropriate by the department. Examples may include the PCIA, AMGA, AEE, USA Climbing, ACA, NIRSA, ACCT, ANSI, ACSM, etc. Weekly staff meetings are held for the review of program and department priorities, with special meetings or work sessions scheduled as needed. Performance is reviewed annually, with additional consultations held as needed. Ability to observe and supervise various facets of campus recreation programs as deemed necessary for specific program areas.
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications
  • Working knowledge of current Climbing-Industry Standards, with particular knowledge of industry related risk management, program design, safety standards, techniques and regulations etc.Excellent program execution with special attention given to risk management. (Required)
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills to develop and prepare substantial documents, including program descriptions, reports and manuals. Aptitude and willingness to learn the technicalskills needed to manage financial, POS and risk management software systems. (Required)
  • Ability to supervise student staff; including the ability to interview, mentor, manage conflict, team build and problem solve (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and coordinate an instructor training and leadership program including development of materials, teaching and evaluation (Required)
  • Working knowledge of student, staff, and volunteer-based leadership development programs, preferably in a campus recreation setting. Ability to formulate and monitor plans according toestablished goals. (Required)
  • Demonstrated skill in working independently and in following through on assignments with minimal direction. (Required)
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative and professional working relationships with coworkers, employees and the public. (Required)
  • Ability to listen perceptively and maintain equanimity when dealing with conflicts, complaints and difficult situations. (Required)
  • Skill in prioritizing tasks to complete work in a timely manner with changing workload and multiple or competing requirements and deadlines. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate various facets of a campus recreation Climbing Programs with special attention given to risk management. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative and professional working relationships with co-workers, employees and the public (Required)
  • Demonstrated skill in listening perceptively and maintaining equanimity when dealing with conflicts, complaints and difficult situations. (Required)

  • Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
  • Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Education, Physical Education, or related fieldpreferred. or equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate various facets of a campusrecreation Climbing Programs with special attention given to riskmanagement. (Preferred)
  • Certification as Level 2 Challenge Course Practitioner and Challenge Course Manager by Association for Challenge Course Technology. (Preferred)
  • Red Cross/ CPR/ First Aid Certification (Required)

  • Special Conditions for Employment
  • Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
  • Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
  • Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
  • CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

  • Schedule
    8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. PT/variable based upon operational needs.
    Union/Policy Covered
    99-Policy Covered
    Complete Position Description
    https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Recreation%20Program%20Leader%203%20(TBD_941409)