Assistant Director of Athletics & Recreation, Sports Programs

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 04-13-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

At UC Santa Cruz, we strive to enrich the total educational experience by promoting physical activity, encouraging health and wellness, creating and shaping community, and cultivating direction. Through our diverse offerings in athletics, classes, workshops, outdoor trips, intramural sports leagues, tournaments, clubs, drop-in activities, and recreational facilities, we strive to provide opportunities for UCSC students, staff and faculty, retirees, alumni, and local community members to participate.

As one of the largest student employers on campus, we also have many work-study and non-work student jobs in our facilities and programs. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of professional programs and physical activities that promote and enhance community, learning, motivational skills, lifelong wellness, and academic achievement.

More information can be found at: https://goslugs.com

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director for Athletics & Recreation, Sport Programs assists the Associate Director for Athletics & Recreation in game day administration of NCAA DIII varsity events as well as the execution of the Sports Clubs and Intramural Sports programs. This position also provides administrative support to summer camps hosted by the department. This role works alongside varsity coaches, sports medicine, sports information, and administrative support staff to understand, plan, and execute home contest needs for varsity athletics. In addition to varsity athletics duties, this position will work directly with Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs programs to recruit, hire, train, and retain student staff and support all Sport Clubs organizations. The position will work with the Associate Director for Athletics & Recreation to determine and execute programming, staffing, and training needs.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $75,750/annually
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri & Weekends as needed
• Shift Includes: Day, Evening, & Weekend

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: ATH PROFL 4 (004151), Grade 20

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

50% - Athletics and Recreation Program Coordination

• Designs, plans, organizes and conducts complex recreational programs for students, faculty, and staff participants, individually or in groups.
• Conducts ongoing evaluation of recreational programs to ensure compliance with University, department, and program objectives.
• Plans and schedules all Intramural Sports leagues and special events, including facility location approvals, equipment purchases, communications, and staffing.
• Enforces and assesses program policies and procedures.
• Plans and schedules all Sport Clubs events, including facility location approvals, required permits, equipment, and staffing.
• Oversees all administrative and operational aspects of the Sport Clubs.
• Provides short and long term planning for the Sport Clubs.
• Executes travel arrangements for all approved Sport Clubs competitions and other special events.
• Facilitates and maintains a supportive environment for program participants. Responsible for role-modeling positive behaviors and leadership for student-athletes, employees, and participants.
• Responsible for execution of cash reconciliation process with Sport Clubs participants when necessary.
• Proposes revised standard operating procedures and guidelines for intramural sports, sport clubs, and camps.

20% - Student Employee Supervision and Mentorship

• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates student staff to be high functioning for intramural sports and Sport Clubs.
• Designs, plans, organizes and conducts complex training and orientation programs, guidance, instruction, and advising for student leaders, individually or in groups, related to best practices for student organization budgeting, travel, fundraising, purchasing, inventory, roster management, or other Sport Clubs matters.
• Process personnel and payroll documentation, including maintenance of accurate records for student employees.
• Applies education and experience to instruction and development of student staff.

20% - Administrative and Other Duties

• Keeps current on best sport officiating and event management practices and methods of instruction, techniques, skills via continuing education and actual game experience.
• Participates in required professional development activities appropriate for an experienced professional in their field of expertise.
• Serves on the department's internal committees and/or as a department representative on campus wide committees.
• Reports safety and risk issues to appropriate personnel, recommends improvements, and follows through to ensure that risks are appropriately addressed.
• As a department technical leader, regularly provides guidance to others regarding the Athletics & Recreation program(s) and / or related department activities.
• Maintains files and records; prepares reports as necessary on all matters, including non-routine matters.
• Maintains a positive working relationship with all staff and external constituents directly involved in the operation of the Athletics & Recreation facilities.

10% - Special Events & Driving

• Leads and/or assists in the planning, coordination, and execution of department special events such as the Run Like a Slug 5k and Cornucopia.
• Drives a personal and university vehicle for programming and professional development travel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced knowledge of program activity and best practices.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work with frequent interruptions.
• Skill in effective listening.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, in the English language.
• Excellent written communication skills, in the English language.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Proficiency in the use of computer applications relevant to job duties, including Microsoft office suite, Google Workspace, Innosoft Fusion, IMLeagues, DoSportsEasy, Whentowork.com, and/or Adobe Creative Cloud.
• CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Must possess a CPR/AED/First Aid Certification, or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.