Job Title: Water Fitness Instructor

Work Location: Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA

Reports To: Aquatics Director

FLSA: Non-exempt/Part-time

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday

Salary Range: $18.00/hour

A Career with a Cause:

We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and grow. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Our purpose is to strengthen the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We are committed to these causes because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values. Historically founded on the Christian principles of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility; our mission is to put these principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

We are for ALL.

General Functions:

Under the supervision of the Aquatics Director, the Water Fitness Instructor is responsible for assuring the safety, well-being, enjoyment, and instruction of the YMCA water fitness classes. The Water Fitness Instructor is responsible for teaching classes to the YMCA of the USA guidelines and in accordance with their training.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Instruct in a professional, courteous, manner and eliminate unsafe practices and physical hazards.

• Instructs members on effective workout methods; explains proper techniques; demonstrates exercises.

• Prepares appropriate equipment and/or music for each class.

• Answers questions from members to support them in achieving their goals related to healthy living.

• Builds effective, authentic relationships with members; helps members connect with each other and the Y.

• Ensures safety standards are met, and that department and facility policies are adhered to.

• Never leave class unattended.

• Maintain cleanliness of facility.

• Know and enforce the pool rules.

• Wear a uniform consisting of: staff shirt, one-piece bathing suit.

• Arrive 15 min early on deck in uniform for all shifts.

• Cover all shifts ensuring that all classes run at all times.

• Maintain proper written records including attendance.

• Set-up and clean-up all class materials.

• Run and attend all program specific mandatory meetings and trainings.

• Must teach one class per week or substitute an average of 1 class per month to maintain membership and other instructional benefits.

• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Education and Experience:

• Experience instructing water fitness classes preferred.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrate leadership skills in an outgoing, friendly, assertive, professional and mature manner.

• Demonstrate a sincere desire to improve the health and wellness of YMCA Health and Wellness program, staff and program participants.

• Ability to lead and motivate others.

• Ability to effectively communicate information on YMCA of Greater Syracuse program components to members.

• Demonstrates excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

• Effective interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills, as well as the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with Members, Directors and Staff.

• Refrain from diagnosing injuries, offering medical advice and dispensing or endorsing any and all commercial health products.

• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Must be willing to work flexible hours, including some weekends and holidays.

Trainings & Certifications:

• Must complete online Bloodborne Pathogens, Employee Safety and Youth Protection Series trainings prior to initial assignment to position.

• Must hold and maintain current YMCA lifeguard or YASA Certification within 6-months of hire date.

• Must complete online Hazard Communication training within the first 90-days of employment.

• Must hold and maintain current CPR, AED, first aid, and oxygen administration within 60-days of hire date.

• Must hold and maintain Water Fitness Instructor Certifications within 12-months of hire date.

• Must attend and complete Listen First training within the first 90-days of hire date.

Core Competencies:

• Supports the Mission, Vision and Direction of the YMCA: Understands and supports the mission of the YMCA; displays the YMCA values; displays flexibility and accepts changes; is willing to try new methods and make suggestions; shows a strong commitment to the YMCA; conveys enthusiasm for the YMCA and his/her work.

• Builds Community: Understands and embraces the role of volunteers; helps members and participants make connections to others and to the YMCA; practices effective relationship-building techniques; supports the role of fund-raising in achieving the YMCA mission.

• Provides a Quality Experience for Members, Participants, Internal Customer and Other: Possesses the ability to deliver outstanding experiences for members, participants, internal customers and others; builds warm and supportive relationships; consistently greets and assists everyone in a positive way; strives to provide service that will exceed expectations; responds to concerns and complaints in a way that makes each person feel valued; initiates action for prompt resolution; looks for better ways to serve in involve members, participants, internal customers and others.

• Works Productively: Demonstrates responsible actions; consistently performs duties in a safe and conscientious manner within the agreed upon timeframe; follows standards, policies and procedures; is reliable and consistently punctual; actively participates in staff meetings, required trainings, and other work related activities; uses good judgment; uses YMCA resources appropriately and efficiently.

• Uses Effective Personal Behaviors/Communicates Effectively: Treats everyone with courtesy, respect and consideration; displays integrity; listens actively and genuinely; communicates in a clear and pleasant manner; embraces differences among people; demonstrates an active willingness to learn and grow; accepts constructive criticism; works cooperatively as a team member.

Physical Demands:

Ability to conduct classes and activities, remain alert with no lapses on consciousness. Ability to hear noises and distress signals in an aquatic environment, including in water with background noise and perform all needed rescue skills. Operate alone as an instructor, without other instructors for support. Project voice across aquatic area. Able to frequently stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, swim, bend, reach, balance, crouch or crawl, climb and/or balance, reach with hands and arms, handle or feel, stoop, climb up and down an elevated chair, lift, move and carry approximately 35 pounds, climb a minimum of two flights of stairs (approximately every ½ hour) and use of hands and fingers. Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations. Specific vision abilities required close, color, distance, peripheral, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical aquatic environment. At times, the employee may be exposed to situations where injuries may occur. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to above average. Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and to wet and/or humid conditions in swimming pool areas may occur.

Americans with Disabilities Specifications:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.