Campus Recreation

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Employment

Join the Campus Rec Team 

Campus Rec employees work collaboratively to provide a welcoming and inclusive place to play for the entire Portland State Community. Campus Rec creates a community for employees to connect, grow, and cultivate a sense of purpose, to nurture abilities in themselves and others, and to generate positive social impact across campus and in their communities.  We strive to inspire, empower, and educate our employees to be current and future leaders of social change by providing professional development opportunities that complement the student academic experience with practical job training and mentorship.

We Are Hiring!

Interested in working at Campus Rec? Explore current job and internship opportunities, and check out our FLASH program for first-year students and WiLD program for future outdoor leaders. 

Job & Internship Opportunities about this content

Staff Resources

Do you already work at Campus Rec? Current staff and new hires can visit the CREC Employee Microsite for new hire paperwork, on-boarding videos, policies, resources, and professional development opportunities. 

Staff Resources about this content

Employment Opportunities

Student in a wheelchair wearing a staff shirt.

Jobs & Internships

Campus Rec strives to inspire, empower, and educate our employees to be current and future leaders of social change. We do this by creating professional development opportunities that strengthen occupational wellbeing and complement their academic experience with practical job training and mentorship. Explore our opportunities today!

A group of students listening to someone outside of the photo.

FLASH Program for Freshmen

Campus Rec’s FLASH program provides resources and experiential learning opportunities to support freshman students with their first paid position on campus. FLASH is a great opportunity for first-year students to become future leaders in the community. The program starts during fall term and provides on-campus employment. 

Training & Cohort Programs

Campus Rec offers several training programs that are designed to reduce barriers to participation, provide mentorship and pathways to employment at Campus Rec, and lead to career paths post graduation. Training programs range from fitness and personal training to lifeguarding and wilderness leadership. 

Jobs & Internships

Please note that, while Campus Rec jobs are listed on Handshake, we do not accept applications through Handshake. For more information on how to apply for Campus Rec jobs and internships, please review our How to Apply section below.

Jobs - Student Employee Positions

Outdoor Program

Fitness

Intramural Sports & Special Events

Aquatics

Wage Agreements - Non-Student Employee Positions

Fitness

How to Apply

  1. Our list of current job and internship opportunities is included above.
     
  2. Follow the application instructions listed on the job or internship posting.
    • Please note that, while Campus Rec jobs are listed on Handshake, we do not accept applications through Handshake.
  3. Electronically complete the appropriate application (provided below).
  4. Prepare your resume and cover letter describing your interest in the open position and any related experience.
  5. Email application, cover letter, and resume (and supplemental materials) as attachments to crecjobs@pdx.edu with the subject line stating "name of position, last name."
     
  6. You will receive a confirmation email within one week.

Please note that Campus Rec requires employees to complete a background check prior to starting work. Portland State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity institution and welcomes applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity.

Training & Development

Employees develop knowledge and skills through both workshops and hands-on training. All employees are encouraged to take initiative and embrace more complex responsibilities over time, and subsequently to apply for leadership positions.  Employees who are promoted to leadership roles are offered additional training and mentoring designed to develop supervisory, decision-making, and management skills. 

Develop knowledge about:

  • Personal success, and your strengths and opportunities for growth
  • Wellbeing, and how to enhance your own wellbeing and that of the community
  • Inclusion, and how to create a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive
  • Sustainability, and how to consider the environmental and economic impact when making decisions at work

Develop transferable career readiness skills:

  • Ability to work with diverse communities 
  • Teamwork/collaboration and interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills
  • Conflict management and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to consider sustainability when making decisions
  • Professionalism, time management, and work ethic

Training Programs

Lifeguard Training Program
Become a Lifeguard

Personal Training Cohort Program
Become a Personal Trainer

WiLD Program (Wilderness Leadership Development)
Become an Outdoor Trip Leader

FLASH - FRESHMAN LEARNERS ACQUIRING SKILLS IN HIGHER ED
Become future leaders in the community
Close up of person stretching in a group fitness class

Group Fitness Cohort

The Group Fitness Cohort Program supports students who have traditionally been underrepresented in fitness settings with entering the group fitness industry. Students accepted into the cohort receive free entry into the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Training Course ($299 value), mentorship, and a pathway to employment at Campus Rec and post graduation

For any questions please contact Jenna Siegel at jesiegel@pdx.edu.

 

The Campus Rec Aquatics team poses all together in front of the Rec Center pool, smiling and wearing their red Lifeguard shirts.

Lifeguard Training Program

Free for Eligible PSU Students

Applications

Spend time in the pool this spring while gaining news skills and learning how to save lives with Campus Rec’s Lifeguard Training Program. Free for current and incoming PSU students who are interested in working as a lifeguard for Campus Rec.

  • If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard and working working at another location, the course fee is $150 for Campus Rec members and $300 for non-members. Contact aquatics@pdx.edu for more details.

No experience required! Trained instructors will assess your swimming abilities and create a training plan as needed to prepare you to complete the American Red Cross lifeguard certification course. 

To apply, complete the Lifeguard Training Program registration form by the registration deadlines listed below.

Lifeguard Training Program

Spring 2025 Dates

Program Eligibility

  • Fully vaccinated PSU students who meet the American Red Cross prerequisites.
    • No experience required. Trained instructions will assess your swimming abilities and create a training plan for you to work on if you are not able to meet the prerequisites established by the American Red Cross. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the course and ability to meet all PSU employment requirements and department needs. 
  • Individuals who submit a letter of intent through the Lifeguard Training Program registration form.
  • Enrolled in a minimum of 6.0 undergraduate or 5.0 graduate credits during the academic school year.
  • Must meet all PSU employment requirements.
  • Available to work a minimum of four hours per week.
  • Must be able to complete the online portion of the lifeguard course (seven hours) and attend all in-person class dates/times for the session of your choosing.

Program Goals

The Lifeguard Training Program is designed to reduce barriers of participation by eliminating the cost of a lifeguard certification ($300 value) for students who intend to work as a lifeguard at PSU Campus Rec after completing the training. Through this accessible training program, we hope to rebuild our lifeguard community with a new and diverse team, and help bring an end to the national lifeguard shortage. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be trained in an array of lifesaving skills and will be eligible for flexible on-campus employment at Campus Rec, where they can build friendships and community with other PSU students.

Application Process

Complete the Lifeguard Training Program registration form by the registration deadlines listed above.

A Personal Trainer showing someone how to use a barbell

Personal Training Cohort Program

Campus Rec's Personal Training (PT) Cohort Program supports students who have traditionally been underrepresented in fitness settings with entering the Personal Training field. 

Personal Training Cohort Program

Cohort Benefits

  • Free entry into the ACE Personal Training Prep Course ($599 value)
  • Additional support and mentoring from Campus Rec master trainers
  • A pathway to employment at Campus Rec
  • Access to career paths post graduation

Cohort Eligibility

  • Current PSU student with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Must be enrolled in a minimum of 6.0 undergraduate or 5.0 graduate credits three out of four terms per year.
  • Anticipated graduation date must be June 2026 or LATER
    • Must commit to entire length of cohort program (April 2025 - June 2026)
  • Available to work a minimum of 10-15 hours per week during AY25 (Fall/Winter/Spring)

Cohort Requirements

Spring 2025

  • Attend in person PT class sessions Tuesday/Thursday 3-4:50pm
  • Attend weekly study group meetings  
    • Date/Time:TBD
  • Register for and take the ACE Personal Training Certification Exam by June 30, 2025
    • If a student does not pass on their first attempt, the retake fee is $199. If the student is unable to retake and pass the exam, they will be ineligible for employment and removed from the cohort.

Summer 2025

  • Apply to work as a Campus Rec Personal Trainer
  • Complete New PT Training (paid)
  • Participate in monthly cohort meetings (paid)

AY26: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026

  • Work for Campus Rec as a Personal Trainer
    • Meet all Personal Trainer position requirements as outlined in the position description, including maintaining a minimum of 15 hours per week of availability

AY27: ONGOING EMPLOYMENT OFFERED FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS


Application Process

Interested applicants should submit the PT Cohort Application by  by Sunday, March 2nd at 10pm When submitting your application, make sure to have the following materials/information ready:

  • Current resume
  • Name and contact information for two references
    • These can be a professor, advisor, supervisor, work colleague, etc. Your reference should be able to address your reliability, work ethic, and follow-through.
  • Typed responses to the following application questions (no more than three pages):
    • Explain your interest in Personal Training and the PT Cohort.
    • How will being accepted into the PT Cohort and working as a trainer at Campus Rec help you reach your long term career goal(s)?
    • Describe your experience working with communities that are different from yourself.
    • How will you support the Campus Rec mission/vision/values as a future Personal Trainer?

For more information or questions, please contact Jenna Siegel at jesiegel@pdx.edu

 

A person wearing a day pack hikes into a beautiful mountain landscape.

WiLD (Wilderness Leadership Development) Program

Become an Outdoor Trip Leader

Applications due 10/13/2025

Since 1966, the Outdoor Program (ODP) has been helping PSU students and the community access and enjoy the outdoors. The ODP provides a wide variety of services like outdoor trips, an equipment rental center, and Campus Rec’s Climbing Center. A highlight of the ODP is the outdoor trips offered each term, such as rafting, kayaking, backpacking, climbing and more. 

The Outdoor Program depends on PSU students to lead these outdoor adventure trips and places great value on the experience that students gain from these wilderness activities. For students who are passionate about the outdoors and want to build on their leadership experience, the Wilderness Leadership Development (WiLD) program is designed to teach and empower PSU students experientially in an outdoor setting. Through the WiLD program, students will gain experience in teaching, facilitation, public speaking, communication, conflict resolution and risk management in addition to technical outdoor skills. Direct experience, strong knowledge of, and familiarity with diverse populations including, but not limited to: Asian/Pacific Islander, Asian-American, African, African-American, Chicana, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Alaskan Native, Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, Disabled, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning students, is preferred. Students who identify with these populations are STRONGLY encouraged to apply.

 

Benefits of the WiLD Program

While participating in the WiLD program students are eligible for a $600.00 leadership award ($400 Winter Term and $200.00 Spring Term). This three-term development series is also a path to paid trip leading positions within the ODP. Fall Term is mostly application and interviews; individuals selected for the WiLD program will participate in an overnight trip at the end of the term. During Winter Term, you will be an intern on several trips and attend trainings every other week throughout the term. This training period will culminate in a week-long trip over Spring Break to further refine and practice skills. Spring Term will be an opportunity to continue to lead trips and develop additional skills. Our hope is that by the end of Spring term, you will have gained the experience necessary to move into a paid trip leading position and you will continue to work for the Outdoor Program for the rest of your time at PSU.

  • Fall Term - Apply and interview. Individuals selected for the WiLD program will participate in an overnight trip at the end of the term.
  • Winter Term - Intern on several trips and attend trainings throughout the term. This training period will culminate in a week-long trip over Spring Break to further refine and practice skills.
  • Spring Term - An opportunity to continue to lead trips and develop additional skills. Our hope is that by the end of these three terms, you will have gained the experience necessary to move into a paid trip leading position and you will continue to work for the Outdoor Program for the rest of your time at PSU.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, please review the following expectations and application process.

WiLD Cohort 2025/26 - Apply by October 13

Expectations & Application Process

To be considered for the WiLD Program, candidates must:

  • Be a current PSU student with at least two years remaining. (We prioritize applicants who will be PSU students for two years because of the resources invested in this training program.)
  • Be able to attend all of the trainings and meetings for the WiLD program; see following sections for time commitments and dates.
  • Turn in a complete, on-time application packet to ODPwild@pdx.edu, including the application form, resume, and cover letter by Monday, October 13, 2025. 
     

Deadlines & Schedule

If you are a PSU student who has several years of documented, professional guiding experience, you may be considered for a “Fast Track” Trip Leader position. Please contact odp@pdx.edu with questions.

Fall Term 2025

  • Recommended: Attend an info session to get more details about the program.
    • Friday, September 26th, Viking Days 3:00p – 4:00pm
    • Friday, October 3, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
    • Tuesday, October 7, 12:45p – 1:45pm
       
  • Required
  • Application packet (cover letter, resume, application form) due Monday, October 13th.
  • Interviews: Late October
  • Attend 3 WiLD classroom sessions (times and dates TBD)
  • Attend the WiLD Program orientation trip at the end of Fall Term

Winter Term 2026

  • Attend ODP Trip Leader meeting (date TBD).
  • Complete First Aid, CPR, and driver’s trainings.
  • As a WiLD Intern, participate in the leadership of 1-2 trips.
  • Attend bi-weekly WiLD classroom sessions throughout the term. (Times TBD)
  • Attend the WiLD Training Trip over Spring Break. (approx. March 21 – March 29)
     

Spring Term 2026

  • Attend ODP Trip Leader meeting (date TBD).
  • Attend 2 WiLD classroom sessions throughout the term. (Times TBD)
  • Meet with Coordinator to review skill development and set goals.
  • Participate in the leadership of 1-2 trips.
  • Attend a two day Wilderness First Aid Course (April 18 - April 19)