Analysis Commentary: Week 6

Renée Koma

Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management

RPTM 495A

Professor Kleban

February 21, 2023

Topic Identification

This week, I had the opportunity to oversee skills assessments for two trip leader staff.

Skills assessments are a framework by which both professional staff and student staff are able

to monitor skill growth in trip leader roles. The skill breakdowns are available for each type of

activity that Outdoor Adventures offers and are broken into four categories: apprentice, assistant

instructor, instructor, and specialist, with specialist listed as a separate position with a greater

hourly pay rate than a trip leader. On certain types of trips, there must be at least one leader at

the instructor level. The skill level of each staff member is listed in a trip information spreadsheet

in the beginning of the semester for each trip so that all staff leading trips together are aware of

the skill level of their co-leaders.

Relevant Components and Implications

The checklist for skill assessments for each activity is kept on the staff website so that

student staff hoping to increase their skill level in an activity are aware of the expectations and

can assess the gap between their current knowledge and the skill level required to progress.

While progressing in skill level is not accompanied by an increase in pay with the exception of

the specialist position, it does often come with an increase of responsibility. Staff at the

instructor level are expected to be able to assist and direct staff with fewer skills as well as

perform group management on trips and respond effectively to problems.

Having a framework for monitoring skill level in different activities demonstrates that

professional staff both value and keep track of the skills and experiences of student staff, and

are invested in helping them develop both personally and professionally. The assessments

themselves are relatively laid-back, and there is a fairly wide margin for error, which helps

students feel less nervous about assessments and have the opportunity to learn continuously.

In addition, professional staff are also subject to the same skill level ratings in all activities, and if

they are assisting in leading a trip, their skill level in that activity is also listed publicly in the trip
information spreadsheet. This creates a sense of transparency and a more even playing field in

the department, which builds further trust between professional staff and student staff.

Plan Of Action

Ultimately, keeping this framework in place would continue to be beneficial to both

student staff and professional staff. If I managed this aspect of employee development, I would

think about giving greater attention to some of the responsibilities implied in taking the

assessment for a higher skill level, including the ability to help staff with lower skill levels

perform their duties effectively on trips. I believe it is especially important that professional staff

and student staff be subject to the same criteria for skill development and be given opportunities

to progress and learn.