NIU Assistant Director of Sports Equipment – Olympic Sports

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Northern Illinois University | Assistant Director of Sports Equipment (3828)

 

Working Position Title Assistant Director of Sports Equipment (3828)
Classification Intercollegiate Athletics Equipment Specialist
Position Number 00003828
Open Date 03/25/2026
Close Date 03/31/2026
Priority Review Date
Employee Class Staff
Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time
FTE 1.00
Position Status Regular
FLSA Exempt
Job code 4797
Union Representation Non-Union
Union Code N/A
Unit/Department Intercollegiate Athletics
College/Unit Intercollegiate Athletics
Division Div Intercollegiate Athletics
Location CC 204
Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://niuhuskies.com/

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications 

Overview
Northern Illinois University is a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world and currently serves more than 15,600 students. NIU’s vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Our mission is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world. Centrally located in DeKalb, Northern Illinois University is 30 miles west of Aurora, 65 miles west of Chicago, 36 miles west of Naperville, and 45 miles southeast of Rockford.
Position Summary
NIU Athletics is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Sports Equipment. This is a full-time, 12-month position with benefits.

Under the direction of the Associate AD for Brand and Equipment Management, this position assists with the equipment operation for assigned sports. This position requires extensive evening and weekend work; independent decision-making in many areas including purchase of sports equipment for safety features; acceptance of responsibility for day-to-day problem solving; management ability to maintain good rapport with athletic administrators and coaches.

This position oversees a graduate assistant. This position is responsible for the following sports: Basketball (M&W), Volleyball, Soccer (M&W), Tennis (M&W), Golf (M&W), Women’s Track and Field, Women’s Cross Country, and Gymnastics.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Policy & Procedures – 30%
    • Coordinate equipment oversight for assigned sports and its alignment with university and department policies and procedures and Athletics Strategic Plan.
    • Follow all relevant policies and procedures in accordance with NCAA Standards.
    • Oversight of preparation and set-up for opposing teams.
    • Work with assigned sports on university and athletic department ordering policies and provides training to all parties on Adidas apparel contract.
    • Communicate with student athletes on their needs making sure these needs align with head coaches’ vision and goals for equipment management.

 

Scheduling & Maintenance – 25%
  • Supervise student managers, extra help and/or interns, including scheduling coverage for practices, home events, away events, and laundry.
  • Coordinate the laundering, cleaning, and repairing of equipment.
  • Coordinate and oversee the process of inventorying apparel and equipment for good ordering practices.
  • Train and oversee student managers in processes for setting up and tearing down practices and games.
  • Coordinate daily issuing, maintenance, and retrieval of equipment including preparation and delivery of practice and competition gear.
  • Assist in process of packing for away events.
Retail Assistance – 15%
  • Assist with customer service, monitoring and addressing any quality issues promptly and implementing improvements to prevent recurrence.
  • Supervise all part-time help assigned to the retail area(s) to include scheduling and training.
Safety – 15%
  • Maintain strictest safety standards and proper fitting requirements for assigned sports athletic equipment, making minor repairs as needed or providing replacements.
  • Maintain strictest safety standards in disinfecting/cleaning equipment that cannot be laundered, as well as handling of medical issues (i.e.: blood, infectious diseases such as staph or ringworm) in laundry.
  • Maintain and enforce strict equipment safety standards for assigned sports.
Equipment Orders – 10%
  • Order equipment and apparel for assigned sports and manages distribution of received orders.
  • Create and grow relationships with new and existing vendors.
  • Responsible for detailed record keeping for all placed orders using Microsoft Office and departmental inventory system.
Other Related Duties – 5%
  • When practical under the circumstances, intercollegiate athletic staff are encouraged to attend athletic events to promote audience participation and support for NIU team efforts.
  • Assist with departmental needs as requested.
  • Attend departmental meetings as required.
Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)
  1. High school diploma or equivalent.
  2. Three (3) years (36 months) of experience in the repair and maintenance of athletic equipment and uniforms at the high school or college level.
  3. Possession of a valid State of Illinois driver’s license, the class of the license depending on the type of the vehicle(s) to be operated.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)
  1. Knowledge of specific equipment and their uses in individual sports.
  2. Knowledge of general standards and safety regulations for athletic equipment.
  3. Knowledge of commercial/institutional laundry operations, equipment capabilities, and maintenance requirements.
  4. Knowledge of current laundry industry techniques, processes, and supplies.
  5. Knowledge of cleaning agents and buffing procedures for helmets.
  6. Knowledge of shall preparation for painting of helmets.
  7. Skill in the operation of the following machines:
      • sewing machines (straight stitch, zig-zag, darner, leather strength)
      • football helmet polisher and buffer
      • rivet machine for shoulder pads and selected die cuts
      • metal grinder
      • ball air inflater

     

  8. Skill in the operation of motor vehicle(s) required by the position.
  9. Ability to learn rules and regulations regarding equipment for student athletes as prescribed by specific intercollegiate athletic conferences.
  10. Ability to move heavy travel cases, bags, and additional equipment.
Specialty Factors (Civil Service)
None
Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)
  • At least one (1) year of collegiate athletic equipment experience.
  • Skill in active listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Ability to supervise, motivate, develop, and direct people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Ability to monitor/assess performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Ability to effectively handle difficult and/or angry people.
  • Able to obtain AEMA certification within one (1) year (12 months) of hire.
Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)
N/A
Additional Requirements (SPS)
N/A
Preferred Qualifications (SPS)
N/A
Physical demands/requirements
  • Heavy Lifting
  • Evening and weeknight hours possible

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details 

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 04/16/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Percent of Staff Year 1.00
Standard Hours Per Week 37.50
Working Hours 8-4:30pm; varies days, nights, weekends
Salary $45,424.08/Annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package.
Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $1,892.67/Semi-monthly
Earn Type Salary

 

 

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