Aqua Group Exercise Instructor

The Y is filled with passionate leaders, thinkers and doers. Whether a camp counselor, program director or fitness instructor, we all share a common goal to serve and make our community healthier, happier and stronger.

We look for people who will show up as their whole self because we value diversity and inclusion, as well as people who enjoy working on a team and with the public. If you can see yourself at the Y, please read on!

Employee Perks

• Free membership!
• Program discounts – including childcare, swim lessons and personal training
• Training, certification and advancement opportunities.

About this Role

This position, working under the direction of the Wellness Director, is responsible for developing and instructing safe and impactful, pool-based exercise programs that meet the needs of the members, program participants, and the community, consistent with the YMCA’s core values, goals, strategic plan, and the needs of participants and the community.

We are looking for an instructor for morning classes (8am-11am).

Your responsibilities will include:

• Inclusion - Honors the YMCA of Southern Maine’s Promise Statement. Models a commitment to equity and inclusion. Creates a safe environment that helps all feel welcome and respected. Promotes feelings of mutual respect, acceptance, and appreciation. Supports people with unique experiences or points of view to share their perspectives. Understand how individuals, families, organizations, communities and societies affect health. Understand how health inequities affect health outcomes among people of different backgrounds and how to offer culturally competent support.

• Programming – Understands different health needs in order to adjust activities and program to serve all. Familiar with risk factors associated with chronic disease and social determinants of health. Understands and aligns delivery of Healthy Living programs to program goals and objectives. Strives to provide sustained impact for individuals and the community. Helps create new approaches to serve Healthy Living needs of members and participants. Provides safe, effective and creative instruction for individuals at all levels.

• Leadership – Is a collaborative, engaged, and positive role model for all through good work habits, positive attitude, and respect for the YMCA’s values and rules, including communicating in an effective and timely manner and making sound decisions.
• Relationship Building – Develop positive, authentic relationships within the Y that lead to greater awareness of the Y’s mission and impact, growth in number of people served, as well as revenue. Intentionally connects members and program participants to one another. Identifies and celebrates the successes of members and participants. Listens and expresses self effectively and with an understanding of the needs of a particular audience. Communicates appropriately with individuals based on readiness to change. Helps others to create health and well-being goals and develop skills to achieve those goals by establishing long-term behavior change. Displays empathy in helping members and participants build confidence to achieve their goals.
• Personal Growth – Maintains a high degree of emotional maturity and interpersonal skills and is committed to personal growth and skill acquisition.
• Operations & Safety – Ensures all equipment is clean, in working order, and maintenance records are maintained. Provides rapid and timely response to all accidents, situations, incidents and emergencies appropriately, calmly and professionally using proper techniques and completes incident reports as needed. Reports all concerns to the Director. Finds coverage for classes when unable to instruct and provides sub assistance for other team members. Meets the Y’s standard for attendance, punctuality and dependability.
• Data Tracking & Documentation –Maintains accurate and consistent data tracking and documentation, as required.
• Other duties as assigned. Is collaborative and willing to support the overall goals of the YMCA of Southern Maine.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Previous experience and training in instructing aquatic group exercise classes and developing own choreography or willingness to gain experience and develop further skills under YMCA guidance.
• Current CPR/AED/Basic First Aid Certification.
• A current professional Group Exercise instructor or Specialty Certification if applicable (YMCA, ACE, AFAA, NETA, ACSM, NASM).
• Working knowledge of proper exercise equipment use if applicable, good body mechanics and healthy exercise practices.
• Ability to apply logical thinking to a wide variety of practical problems and solve practical problems and design and implement work processes.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and demands, and demonstrates a high tolerance for interruptions and varied routine.
• Ability to complete the following trainings within 90-days of hire:
  1. “Orientation to Healthy Living at the Y”
  2. “Principles of Member Health and Wellness”
  3. “Group Exercise at the Y”
• Maintain current certifications as required
• A criminal background check is required prior to hire. This will be paid for by the YMCA of Southern Maine.

• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Salary

$16 - $30/hour, depending on experience.

We invite you to join us in this amazing work — to develop your skills, to realize your potential and to discover a career that is so much more than a job.

A Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

We commit to inclusion in our mission and in our hiring practices by promising to make the Y open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or financial circumstances, without discrimination.