UBCO | Program Administration | UBCO | AVP Students | Athletics and Recreation Operations
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Job Description Summary
The Physical Activity & Wellbeing Coordinator is responsible for leading, enhancing and implementing a strategy to increase the level of physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior across campus. They will work with interdisciplinary colleagues from across campus including the School of Kinesiology, UBC Wellbeing, UBC HR, amongst others, as well as a team of students. Putting the UBCO Physical Activity Framework into action, the incumbent will coordinate accessible programs, policies and facilities that support physical activity for students, staff and faculty of all abilities making it simple and convenient to be active. Additionally, the incumbent will create and maintain partnerships and promotion to increase awareness of the benefits of physical activity, and translate physical activity research into practice.
This position is a result of UBC s Wellbeing Strategic Framework, a collaborative, university-wide effort to make the UBC a better place to live, work and learn for its faculty, staff, students and neighbourhood residents through a systems-wide approach by promoting health, wellbeing and sustainability. UBC Wellbeing is guided by the Okanagan Charter, a shared call to action for partners, leaders and community members to make UBC a leading wellbeing-promoting university.
Organizational Status
The Physical Activity & Wellbeing Coordinator reports to the Recreation Manager. As part of the UBC Recreation Team, works collaboratively with members of the UBC Wellbeing Team on projects designed to achieve a healthier campus. This position also works with AVP Students portfolio staff, staff and faculty within the Faculty of Health & Social Development, and external partners and agencies. Athletics & Recreation is a division within the AVP Students Portfolio with responsibility for shaping the student experience and learning environment. UBC Wellbeing is a collaborative effort to make the University a better place to live, work and learn through a systems-wide approach to promoting health and wellbeing across our campuses.
Work Performed
1. Physical Activity Strategy Development
- Responsible for the supervision, assessment, implementation and administration of Physical Activity programs & spaces targeting UBC students, staff and faculty to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.
- Strengthens strategic partnerships with both on and off-campus groups to facilitate the delivery and on-going development of the physical activity framework including: facilitating the delivery of programs, enhancing education and increasing physical activity levels and decreasing sedentary behaviour.
- Builds and strengthens synergies between research, teaching and best practice, linking participation in physical activity to health outcomes.
- Provides leadership and expertise to special projects in the area of physical activity promotion.
- Liaises with Wellbeing Specialists in the Okanagan campus and the UBC Wellbeing Strategic Support Team.
- Implements physical activity initiatives designed to influence systemic change at the University and address the needs of a large and diverse student, staff, and faculty population.
- Leads, develops, coordinates and executes MoveUBC initiative - a month long university-wide campaign designed to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.
- Leads the UBCO Physical Activity Committee and facilities coordination with the UBC Vancouver Physical Activity working group.
- Participates in the UBC Wellbeing Physical Activity Committee and UBC Wellbeing Community of Practice
- Measures, tracks, evaluates and articulates the effectiveness of physical activity promotion and education programs and services.
- Fosters and enhances the culture of community, diversity and wellbeing across campus.
- Works collaboratively with Athletics and Recreation programmers, UBC student groups, UBC Human Resources (HR), and other departmental personnel, in the delivery of classes, workshops, events and other offerings that contribute to the physical activity strategy and ultimately, UBC s Wellbeing Initiative.
2. Recreation Delivery & Integration
- Evaluates low barrier, physical activity Athletics and Recreation programs and initiatives.
- Strategically implements inclusive initiatives in recreation to reduce barriers to programming, policies and spaces and create a community welcoming to all
- Responsible for ensuring measures are in place to guarantee a safe and risk free experience for program participants.
- Assists in providing research-based insight to the design, promotion and delivery of leading edge physical activity policies and programs, encouraging the development of new programs and activities which address the changing needs of the University community.
- Collaborates with University Relation and the AVPS Marketing and Communication team to enhance the delivery of physical activity oriented communications and program promotion utilizing a health promotions lens. Collaborates on content creation and messaging with a health promotions lens of targeted materials to promote physical activity including handouts, webpage and newsletter content, and presentation materials. Works with the communications team to disseminate physical activity opportunities and information.
- Conducts research within the Recreation department related to benefits of physical activity as determined by Recreation staff.
3. Administrative
- Recruits and manages student leaders (paid staff, volunteers, and/or practicum students), as needed. Develops and leads ongoing training and evaluation of student leaders to ensure awareness of policies, practices and expectations.
- Using the physical activity indicators in the Wellbeing framework, set targets specific to the Okanagan campus that represent percentages of the campus population to achieve the physical activity indicators.
- Serves on campus and community committees where appropriate.
- In consultation with the Recreation Manager, oversees all expenses, revenues, and purchases and informs/oversees the budget for physical activity related items.
- Attends meetings and retreats as required.
- Performs other duties as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Physical Activity & Wellbeing Coordinator makes decisions regarding the Physical Activity strategy, programming and budget. This position bears the burden of ensuring that the initiative succeeds and meet a high level of excellence. Failure to complete the required duties of this job will result participant dissatisfaction, negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of the targeted populations. Participant safety is of the utmost importance and the failure to ensure a safe environment resulting in injury poses a significant financial and reputational risk. The improper execution of details associated with the management of the initiative could result in a tarnished image of the university.
Supervision Received
The Physical Activity & Wellbeing Coordinator works autonomously within defined program constraints. Reporting to the Recreation Manager, this position receives guidance and direction, but the work is reviewed in terms of achievement of defined goals and execution of the defined responsibilities.
Supervision Given
The Physical Activity & Wellbeing Coordinator directly hires, trains, disciplines, evaluates and terminates student staff, volunteers, practicum students, and/or co-op student associated with physical activity initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.Master s degree in Public Health or related discipline preferred.A minimum of 5 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Knowledge of university health issues and outcome driven health promotion strategies and population based health education methods.
Exemplary leadership as an ambassador and advocate for physical activity and recreation.
Demonstrated expertise in physical activity programming, adaptive physical activity, wellness education, partnership building, and equity and inclusion.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders in a complex environment.
Experience conducting primary and secondary research.
Supervisory experience, student development experience and valid CPR certification preferred. Demonstrated skills in leading, developing and supporting staff, and in managing organizational change.
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication skills that support consensus building.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships.
Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
