Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

The Assistant Director for Fitness and Wellness reports to the Senior Associate Director for Campus Recreation & Wellness. The Assistant Director is expected to work autonomously and professionally in all areas of responsibility to reflect the mission of the Department of Campus Recreation & Wellness, the University and the Fitness and Wellness program.

The Assistant Director must be able to function independently in the assigned areas of responsibility including hiring, training, supervising, and developing between 35-40 students, professional, and contract service employees. The Assistant Director supervises program functions and student staff who carry out these functions.

General Responsibilities
The Assistant Director for Fitness and Wellness is responsible for promoting, creating, implementing, supervising, and evaluating all aspects of fitness programs and services while collaborating on campus wellness programs. This person serves as an advocate for health and fitness within higher education and its support of student development and continual education.

Administrative Responsibilities
* Consistently evaluates fitness and wellness programs in an effort to ensure that programming meets the needs of a changing and diverse student population.
* Assists with the development and implementation of CRW training programs for student employees
* Manages program budget for fitness and wellness programs and services.
* Serves as a member of departmental and divisional committees and work groups.
* Assists with the coordination of fitness equipment preventative maintenance, and fitness equipment replacement plans.

Programming Responsibilities
* Creatively plan and implement fitness and wellness related programs and services including, but not limited to, Group Exercise and Personal Training.
* Hires, trains, schedules, supervises, and evaluates student fitness assistants, group X instructors, personal trainers, and academic interns, ensuring staff meet required levels of training for safe and effective operations.
* Responsible for promotion and growth of fitness and wellness programs.

Other Responsibilities
* Works collaboratively with the Assistant Director for Health and Wellness Education, as well as other departments and student organizations, to seek new and creative ways to provide quality health and wellness experiences for students.
* Assists in department initiatives including, but not limited to, special events, orientation, and open house.
Contribute to departmental functions to ensure delivery of departmental mission.
* Other duties as assigned.

*Must be eligible to work in the United States without needing sponsorship.

*Master's degree in exercise science, sport management, health education, health promotion or related field,

OR
for candidates demonstrating comparable independent educational or instructional activities related to the delivery of student fitness/wellness services, a relevant undergraduate degree and one or more years of relevant experience in may be accepted in substitution.

*Nationally recognized personal training or group exercise certification or ability to obtain during first year of employment.

*Adult CPR/AED and First Aid certified through American Red Cross or ability to obtain during first year of employment.

* 1-3 years full-time experience managing a collegiate fitness and/or wellness program including student and graduate assistant staff supervision.
* Experience personal training and developing student personal trainers
* Experience collaborating with campus departments to develop, publicize and successfully implement programs, services and policies to sustain the active process of healthy living.
* American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification

Application must be made on-line. Please include a letter of interest, a resume, and listing of at least three professional references to include their complete contact information.

For more information please contact Nick Mashburn via email at nmashburn@email.wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.