Passages Program Coordinator Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026

This position begins Spring 2026 and continues through Summer and part of Fall 2026.

Note: All on-campus position applications close at 2:59pm on the deadline date listed.

Position Description:

The Passages Program Coordinators are integral parts of the Passages Development and Implementation Team. This team consists of four to six Program Coordinators, the Director of Orientation and Leadership, the Associate Director of Student Involvement and Programs, the Assistant Director of Student Programs, and the Club Coordinator. Each coordinator is involved in the hiring and training of leaders, along with the design, development, and management of the Passages orientation week. Passages is coordinated through collaboration with staff and faculty from departments across campus and organizations across Tacoma and the greater Northwest area. We are actively seeking to improve the Passages program in a variety of areas including, diversity, equity, and inclusion, accessibility, and creating a program that better meets the needs of our current incoming student population to aid and equip them for a successful transition to Puget Sound. We are looking to hire a diverse team of coordinators with a breadth and depth of skills who are interested in shaping the future directions of the Passages program.

• Participate in weekly Passages Team meetings during the fall, spring, and summer.
• Assist with Passages Leader selection including: marketing/information sessions, application development, application review, interview scheduling, interviewing and assessment, and selection (February through April 2026).
• Coordinate logistics such as organizing team assignments, developing effective team schedules, and communicating with university staff members and community organizations about Passages.
• Plan and coordinate the day to day curriculum and logistics for Immersive Experiences. The planning will include: food/menu planning, transportation, equipment, directions, group activities, itineraries, etc.
• Plan and facilitate Winter Passages for new and transferring students in January 2026. This will include on campus activities and an Immersive Experience. This may require you to return to campus early at the end of Winter Break.
• Areas of focus:
  • Database and Operations (1 coordinator):
    • Assist with the maintenance of the data which is used by a variety of campus partners supporting Passages for all new and transfer students
    • Manage the leader information across various Google/Excel databases including and not limited to – leaders, preference, pairing, Immersive Experience information
    • Participate as an active member on a variety of Passages planning committees with faculty and staff collaborators
  • Food Coordination (2 coordinators):
    • Determine food needs for Immersive Experiences including overnight trips, day trips, and box meals from campus
    • Create menus for day and overnight trips including specialized menus for students with myriad dietary needs
    • Communicate with leaders and participants who have special dietary needs
    • Develop food quantities, purchase, and repackage food for each trip group
  • Equipment Coordination (2 coordinators):
    • Inventory, maintain, and organize the equipment needed for all Immersive Experiences including outdoor trips and excursions from campus
    • Purchase equipment, repair and maintenance supplies
  • Leader Training Facilitation (All)
    • Design lesson plans to help leaders meet Passages leader learning outcomes
    • Take attendance and assist with leader communication and follow up related to course participation and attendance
    • Assist in the alignment of course learning outcomes and summer training development
    • Liaise with Coordinator team about course content and leader engagement, skills development, and leadership styles
• Following Immersive Experiences and Passages the coordinators will facilitate equipment return, supply return, inventory, repairs, leader and student evaluations and should plan on working the Saturday after Passages concludes to lead clean up and wrap up tasks.
• Reflect on the leadership experience throughout the position and prepare a reflection and transition document for the future.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Passages Coordination staff including and not limited to: entertainment planning, event planning, t-shirt design, etc.
• Participate in the planning and facilitation of the Logger Summer Welcome events.
• This position has been classified as a “Responsible Employee” which means you are required to promptly report to the Title IX Coordinator any knowledge of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, other sexual misconduct, or retaliation, which involves a University Community Member. Additional information including the procedure for reporting can be located on the Title IX/Equal Opportunity website and within the Policy Prohibiting Sex Based Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct.
• Participate in the interview and selection process for the next Passages Coordinators.
• Assist with the planning and facilitation of Winter Passages orientation (January 2026) for new and transfer students entering in January. This includes the facilitation of a day-long Immersive Experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Passages Leaders

Budget Responsibilities:

• None

Minimum Requirements (Candidates must possess these requirements in order to be hired for this position):

• Applicants should be making expected progress toward an academic degree. Only candidates with a 2.5 GPA or higher will be considered.
• Candidates must be enrolled at the University of Puget Sound or an affiliated study-abroad program for the spring and fall semesters of 2026. Applicants’ abroad status will be taken into consideration when selecting the coordination team.
• Availability over the summer and on some weekends is required. Passages Coordinators are expected to reside in the Tacoma area throughout the summer and commit the bulk of their time during June, July, and August to preparing for Passages. You should expect this to be your only summer employment (applicants need to have any on-campus or off-campus employment, internships or other commitments which may conflict with the coordinator position approved in advance and these hours are only available in May and June. Coordinators will work 40 hr/week July and August).
• No employment with other campus or off campus organizations in June, July, and August 2025 without consulting with the Director of Orientation and Leadership.
• Demonstrated group leadership experiences in a club, organization, student government, or other activity.
• Evidence of leadership ability, including sensitivity to others, sound judgment, planning and organizational skills, and motivation of self and others is a must.
• Be able to work independently, take initiative and follow through on projects; also be able to work as a team member and support others’ initiative and leadership.
• Strong professional oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively and in a timely manner.
• Have experience teaching or presenting materials to others in an engaging and involving manner.
• Possess sound judgment and experience in risk management and mitigation.
• Have experience facilitating group discussions.
• Possess (or willingness to obtain) a minimum of a Basic First Aid and CPR certification from an approved agency. The university hosts training classes, but the cost of these certifications are the responsibility of the candidate. Please see the following link for information regarding medical certifications. https://www.pugetsound.edu/student-life/student-activities/puget-sound-outdoors/leadership-courses/first-aid-courses/
• Possess (or willingness to obtain) a Food Worker Card https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/index.html
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook) and Google Suite.

Other Desired Qualifications (The following are not required for appointment.):

• Active involvement and leadership experience in one or more outdoor adventure activities (e.g., backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking, paddle boarding, mountaineering, mountain biking, or rock climbing) or campus organizations (e.g., Campus Visit Program, ASUPS, club or departmental leadership, greek life leadership, etc.)
• Certification in Basic First Aid or Wilderness Medical Training and CPR

Candidates must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Any combination of education and/or experience can substitute for the above requirements.

To Apply:

Please submit the following documents via the CES online portal (the application link can be found in the Handshake posting) before or by February 16th. Interviews will be held the following week. Successful first round applicants will be hired and should expect to start in November with minimal hours in the fall term to plan Winter Passages.

1. Please submit via the CES Handshake portal:
   • A current resume of employment and leadership experience
   • A letter of interest describing your:

• qualifications and experience for the position in relation to duties involved;
• include a statement about your leadership style and how other life experiences, personal perspectives, etc., might be useful for this position.
• Make sure to specify your skills and interests in relation to the Areas of Focus section above. And if you have outdoor skills or outdoor leadership experience describe your experience, skills and certifications.
• Schedule of class, work, and other commitments for spring 2026, tentative outline of your spring 2026 schedule and commitments including – classes, work, co-curricular activities

1. One letter of reference—from a faculty, staff or coach not involved in coordinating orientation. (This letter can also be sent directly to passages@pugetsound.edu by the reference.)
2. Recommended (but not required) Action: Grabbing lunch, coffee, etc. with a previous member of the Passages Coordinator team (either student or staff) to ask questions, and clarify to better understand the role and tasks that you will be asked to complete.

Hours per week:

• Spring 2026 term – 60 hours total mostly concentrated around leader hiring and spring retreat for leaders
• Summer 2026 term ~32 hrs weekly in May and June and ~40 hrs weekly in July and August
• Fall 2026 term – 20 hours to provide closure and hire new coordinators

Interviews will take place directly with the hiring department. For questions, you can reach out to the hiring manager for this position.

Department: Student Involvement and Programs

Contact Name: Kevin Buchanan

Email: kbuchanan@pugetsound.edu

If you are creating a resume for the first time, or would like some direction on updating your resume for this application, please review the Career and Employment Services Resume Guide or use Handshake to make an appointment with a career advisor.