Only students who have been admitted to WIU graduate programs will be considered for assistantship positions. RPTA students will receive priority on all RPTA departmental positions. No discussion of specific funding decisions will occur until the admission process is complete.
The Graduate Coordinator of RPTA will publicize available assistantships and will serve as the point of contact. For more information about any of the positions, please contact Dr. Jeremy Robinett, Graduate Coordinator, at jl-robinett@wiu.edu
In order to apply for a position, please complete the form found below and upload a cover letter describing your qualifications for each of the positions for which you're applying. If you are applying for multiple positions, upload one letter that addresses qualifications for each position. You also need to upload three letters of reference. Positions will be open until filled.
Each position is awarded for one semester. Upon the completion of a successful evaluation, contracts may be renewed.
The application process is as follows:
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Applicants submit required materials
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Graduate Coordinator reviews documents and shares qualified applicants with appropriate agencies
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Agencies review documentation and request interviews with selected applicants
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Graduate coordinator sets up interviews
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Interviews (usually done via Zoom)
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Once an agency makes its selection, the Graduate Coordinator will reach out to the student with an offer
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Contract request is submitted to Graduate Studies by the Graduate Coordinator
More information about graduate assistantships can be found here
Available positions:
Quad Cities Campus Positions (partners with the RPTA Department)
The Quad Cities campus is located around 90 miles from the main campus of Western Illinois University. Students applying for these positions should be aware that they will likely reside in, and take courses on the WIU-QC campus. Students will need reliable transportation.
Natural Resources Management/Environmental Education Graduate Assistantship - Nahant Marsh - 20 hours a week
This position supports the mission of Nahant Marsh Education Center, Davenport, IA in providing educational opportunities for the public and in protecting and enhancing the natural resources on the preserve. The position requires workers to actively participate in conservation practices, restoration, maintenance, habitat management, and occasionally assist with research and education. Use of power tools such as hand saws, weed-eaters, drills, and other hand tools may be required. Based on the nature of this graduate assistantship, the position will afford the opportunity to gain teaching experience.
Community Recreation and Outreach Graduate Assistantship - Davenport Parks and Recreation Department - 13 hours a week
The Community Recreation Graduate Assistant works with Davenport Parks and Recreation’s Community Outreach and Experience Manager. This position includes but is not limited to, development of and assisting with recreation programs, events, research and evaluation initiatives, and community outreach.
Parks and Outdoors Graduate Assistantship - Davenport Parks and Recreation Department - 13 hours a week
The Parks and Outdoors Graduate Assistant works with Davenport Parks and Recreation’s Park Operations Senior Manager, Superintendent of Revenue Facilities and the Community Outreach and Experience Manager. This position includes but is not limited to, golf course management, volunteer outreach, and park administration documentation.
Macomb Campus Positions (partners with the RPTA Department)
Assistant Complex Director - University Housing and Dining Services - 20 hours a week
RPTA maintains strong partnerships with a variety of other campus offices. One partnership we have is with University Housing and Dining Services. While they select their own graduate assistants, they consider RPTA students for the management of their residential facilities. You can learn more about their specific benefits here
Facility Management Assistantship - Campus Recreation - 20 hours a week
The Facility Management Graduate Assistant oversees various operations of the Spencer Student Recreation Center and performs duties associated within the facility. Responsibilities include providing exceptional customer service, utilizing conflict resolution skills, responding to injuries, supervising students, implementing risk management procedures, enforcing policies, hiring and training student employees, and assisting with facility management and scheduling.
Fitness Services - Campus Recreation - 20 hours a week
The Fitness Services Graduate Assistant coordinates the fitness sessions including the hiring, training, evaluating, and scheduling of instructors/trainers as well as scheduling and supervising both the weight room/Olympic Strength rooms. Other responsibilities include preparing and administering in-services, teaching fitness instructor/personal training courses, teaching group fitness classes, and providing students and staff with healthy lifestyle information. Background in Exercise Science, Health Wellness, Nutrition, or Strength and Conditioning preferred.
Intramural Sports/Sports Clubs - Campus Recreation - 20 hours a week
The Intramural Sports/ Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates over 30 intramural events, assists in the recruitment, training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating officials and supervisors for assigned intramural sport activities. The Graduate Assistant will also assist with the coordination of all aspects of the Intramural Sports program. Other opportunities include supervision of intramural activities, marketing/promotion, University relations, and student development. Officiating experience preferred. This Graduate Assistant oversees all components of the sport clubs program. and meets with club presidents and is responsible for ensuring all sport clubs are in compliance with Campus Recreation. Responsibilities include scheduling monthly meetings with sport club presidents, depositing club funds, coordinating travel arrangements, and marketing and promoting sport club events. Excellent time management and multitasking skills are needed.
Accreditation Program Services Graduate Assistantship - American Camp Association - 20 hours a week
This graduate assistant will provide direct service to camps seeking or continuing their accreditation with ACA Illinois. This role includes consistent, timely communication, primarily over email and video conferencing, with camp professionals from a variety of camps including day, overnight, non profit, for profit, government, faith-based, special needs, and more. This role is vital to the mission of ACA Illinois because of its direct impact on the safety and quality of camps in Illinois. The Accreditation program influences, educates, and serves as the foundation for decision making for hundreds of camps throughout the state in matters of health, safety, risk management, and program quality. The behind the scenes work of the staff working with the Accreditation program impacts hundreds of thousands of lives in the state each summer. Works closely with faculty focused on camp experiences.
Recreation and Event Graduate Assistantship - Macomb Park District - 20 hours a week
The Recreation and Event Graduate Assistant works closely with the staff of the Macomb Park District office as well as with the community of Macomb. This position includes but is not limited to, recreational programs, events, research initiatives and community outreach.
Lakeview Graduate Assistantship - Macomb Park District - 13 hours a week
The Lakeview Nature Area Graduate Assistant works closely with the staff of the Macomb Park District office as well as with the community of Macomb. This position includes but is not limited to, leading nature-based educational and recreational programs, events, independent research initiatives and community outreach at Lakeview Nature Area and Center.
Operations Graduate Assistantship - Spring Lake Management - 13 hours a week
The Operations Graduate Assistant works closely with the staff of Spring Lake Management to supervise campground and lake boundaries, clean and maintain grounds and equipment, use of GIS research and application, assists with formulating the staffing schedule, guest rentals and reservations, plans and implements park programs and activities, maintains a calendar of outreach activities, including community events and other opportunities.
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
Recruitment and Office Administration Assistantship - RPTA Department -
13 hours a week - two positions
The Recruitment and Office Administration Graduate Assistant works with the faculty and RPTA office manager on departmental initiatives, including but not limited to, recruitment activities, events, and research initiatives.
Adapted Activities for All Graduate Assistantship - RPTA Department - 20 hours a week
Adapted Activities for All is an activity program serving students with disabilities from the local special education cooperative that is put on by WIU students from multiple departments across campus. The program runs on Friday mornings throughout the school year. The Adapted Activities for Fall Graduate Assistant works with the Director of the AAfA Program to implement the clinic. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, event management, office administration, student orientations, social media and research assistant.
Challenge Course Graduate Assistantship - Horn Field Campus - 20 hours a week
Horn Field Campus, a 92-acre outdoor education and recreation facility, administered by the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, offers programming in teams courses, high ropes and a climbing tower. Recruit and maintain the facilitator pool at a level that will be able to serve the challenge course schedule. Conduct regular workshops and clinics for facilitators. Evaluate each facilitator, communicate to facilitators their level of ability and/or improvements needed. Maintain files for each facilitator indicating ability and performance. Plan and conduct challenge courses for groups scheduled. Contact groups for goals or ensure that facilitators do so. Ensure each group has filled out liability forms; maintain records of each participant group; maintain release forms for each group; follow up with each group to evaluate each program; record evaluation data and take action to improve programs based upon evaluations. Coordinate challenge course events and efforts with the other activities of HFC and the campus community
Facilities Management Graduate Assistantship - Horn Field Campus - 20 hours a week
The Facilities Manager Graduate Assistant is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds, facilities, and equipment of Horn Field Campus.