DIRECTOR, STUDENT RECREATION CENTER (USU)

California State University (CSU) Northridge
Los Angeles, California 91330 United States
Posted: Aug 22, 2025
Administration and Management
Parks and Recreation

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under general guidance from the University Student Union (USU) Executive Director and working as a member of the USU’s Executive Management Team, the Director, Student Recreation Center, is responsible for the administrative oversight and management of a comprehensive campus recreation program and Student Recreation Center. Programs and areas include Administration, Facilities, Membership, Fitness, Oasis Wellness Center, Aquatics, Intramural Sports, Games Room, and a summer day camp. The Director plays a vital role in aligning campus recreation initiatives with the strategic goals of the USU and University and is a key member of a campus-wide team responsible for coordinating a comprehensive recreation program.

EDUCATION:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university, preferably with a major in sports management, recreation administration, physical education, kinesiology/exercise science, business administration, public administration or a related field.

EXPERIENCE:

Equivalent to a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional work experience in college recreation and facilities or comparable work environment including administration, supervision, budget management, program support, operations, and/or facility management and oversight.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Not Applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in a related field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment
• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of college recreation program
• Management of facilities and operations; knowledge of safety rules and regulations relative to the management of a recreation center and day camp
• Working knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management
• General knowledge of assessment and marketing methods
• Working knowledge of the principles of effective supervision, as well as the ability to plan and direct the work of professional, skilled and semi-skilled staff
• Use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and implementing long-term program, resource, and service improvements
• Collect, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal and/or written presentations
• Recognize and work within a multicultural environment
• Create and implement ideas to develop and promote programs, resource, and leadership opportunities
• Negotiate and execute contracts
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, student organizations, campus departments, community organizations, and private and public agencies
• Clearly express ideas and directions verbally and in writing
• Analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Develop, manage, and adhere to operational budgets
• Interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forth by staff, faculty and students, analyze and define problems, draw value conclusions, and project the consequences of various courses of action
• Ability to develop and conduct workshops and training programs
• Ability to handle emergency situations

• Provide leadership, vision and strategic planning of a continuously evolving Student Recreation Center that supports the University’s mission and USU mission and goals;
• Provide management, direction and support for the on-going operations of the Student Recreation Center units and programs including Administration, Facility Operations, Membership, Fitness and Wellness, Oasis Wellness Center, Aquatics, Intramural Sports, Games room and a summer day camp;
• Train, and directly supervise the work of three (3) full-time staff (Assistant Director, Aquatics, Day Camp, Games Room and Intramural Sports, Assistant Director, Fitness and Wellness and Manager, Facility Operations, Membership Services & Administration) and the work of one (1) part-time student assistant employee; and indirectly supervise full-time staff employees, part-time temporary emergency casual employees and part-time student assistant employees; monitor performance; generate performance evaluations; and administer disciplinary action as needed;
• Serve as the primary USU liaison to Associated Students in relation to the operation of the Rock-Climbing Wall, Outdoor Adventures and Sport Clubs within the facility;
• Collaborate with other campus entities providing recreational services to the University including, Associated Students, the College of Health and Human Development, the Recreation and Tourism Management and Kinesiology Departments, the Klotz Student Health Center and University Counseling Services to provide a comprehensive campus-wide student recreation program;
• Develop, recommend and implement recreation and facility-related policies and procedures, using standards put forth by the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association (NIRSA), as appropriate;
• Serve as a member of the USU’s Executive Management Team, whose responsibilities include the development and review of administrative, fiscal, programmatic and operational policies, procedures, projects and strategic planning efforts;
• Develop, recommend, implement, and continually assess Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (JEDIA) practices and principles within the Student Recreation Center;
• Provide recommendations and assist Executive Director in developing a long-term strategic plan for the SRC and all its related programs and facilities;
• Limit USU liability to claims by ensuring that all users receive and fully understand pertinent safety information, and complete a written release of liability statements prior to participating in any activities; maintain records of the same;
• Ensure the practice of safety/risk management procedures;
• Ensure incident, accident and injury reports, as well as safety logs and suggestions from staff and users are maintained and reviewed regularly; analyze recurring accidents, trends or unusual situations, and implement appropriate changes to enhance safety and prevent future occurrences;
• Ensure that comprehensive on-site safety inspections are conducted regularly for all Student Recreation Center facilities and programs, and are done so in accordance with approved rules and regulations that address participant safety as a high priority;
• Ensure that all staff undergo necessary safety training activities and meet minimum qualifications, certification and standards required for their specific job assignments and maintain compliance with established guidelines;
• Actively support the acquisition of job-related skill sets by student workers, and encourage the learning, growth and development of participants, as applicable;
• Provide administrative and financial oversight for the operational budgets in the following SRC departments: Administration, Facility Operations, Membership, Fitness and Wellness, Oasis Wellness Center, Aquatics, Intramural sports, Games Room and Sunny Days Camp;
• Responsible for conducting and approving quarterly budget analysis and reviews and taking corrective action as needed to adhere to budget parameters;
• Manage all aspects of major and minor repair and replacement projects within Student Recreation Center, including assessing priorities, budget development, presentation to the USU Board of Directors, working with CSUN Procurement, project schedule development, implementation, and execution;
• Collaborate as appropriate with others, to develop long-term schedules for equipment and facility repairs and replacements; ensure consistent tracking of maintenance and repairs, and analyze recurring issues and trends to inform and forecast future purchasing decisions; ensure custodial services are satisfactory;
• Collaborate with Marketing staff to define target markets and to assist in developing a comprehensive outreach and promotional campaign for the Student Recreation Center;
• Ensure the ongoing evaluation of programs using a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion framework and utilizing various assessment methods, including statistical analysis, industry standards reviews, benchmarking, surveys, needs assessment, focus groups, observations, etc.;
• Serve as the lead in overseeing regular program reviews of the SRC and its programs and services as directed;
• Collaborate with campus partners, research and assess the impact of campus recreation, fitness and wellness participation has on student success and persistence to graduation;
• Coordinate and complete Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Operating Agreements with campus or external partners, as needed;
• Serve as a member of the Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing and CSU Campus Recreation Director workgroup;
• Serve as a primary liaison to NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation;
• Serve as a member of the CSUN Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT);
• Oversee handling of complaints and review of actions related to SRC members and/or staff in consultation with HR and the Executive Director and making referrals to Student Conduct and Equity and Compliance as necessary;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.