FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

Job Summary

The Fitness Instructor is responsible for the planning/implementation of safe, innovative, updated classes; instruction of group exercise classes; the direct supervision of program participants; and the maintenance/upkeep of group fitness rooms and equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily and demonstrate the District’s core competencies consisting of financial accountability, integrity/ethics, job knowledge, interpersonal skills, policies & procedures compliance, work quality, risk management/safety, District/Department vision and values, adaptability/flexibility, dependability, teamwork, and productivity.

Essential Duties

• Demonstrate proper exercise and cueing techniques.
• Instruct all assigned classes to the ability of the guests/members from beginner to advanced and provide modifications as needed.
• Learn guests/members names and ability levels.
• Remain knowledgeable of class format and follow safety guidelines.
• Confirm attendance at every class accurately matches the record class list provided. Members/guests not on list should be sent to guest services to register for class and purchase or be scanned for class participation.
• Promote safety programs with fitness center guests, members and staff.
• Effectively communicate important information to Fitness Center Manager including but not limited to customer feedback, accidents, safety concerns, maintenance issues, broken equipment, program and resource concerns as needed.
• Promote special events, discounts, or offerings to class participants.
• Ensure that any used equipment is picked up, sanitized, and stored properly and music equipment is turned off.
• Act as an advocate for the fitness center products and services at all times.
• Post all classes for substitution in Group Ex Pro. Notify Fitness Manager of any classes that are unable to be covered.
• Be available and willing to substitute for classes when necessary and when schedule permits.

Customer Service

• Arrive a minimum of ten minutes before the start of assigned class, begin and end class on time.
• Monitor health of all guests/members; be aware and prepared to deal with emergency health issues in accordance with Park District policies. Special sanitation procedures are to be taken in the event of some illnesses, see policy 3.4 in the Comprehensive Policy & Procedures Manual for details.

Initiative

• Assist with special events and programs.
• Have a thorough understanding of the Park District policies, procedures, and operations and enforce them in a positive manner.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Communication

• Listen attentively to others, ask clarifying questions, actively listen, stay open to other viewpoints, manage distractions and interruptions.
• Use appropriate time keeping method/system to accurately record time worked in accordance with policy/procedure. 

Technical Skills

• Attend professional conferences, workshops and seminars within budgetary parameters and with Fitness Manager’s approval to keep current with fitness trends.
• Understand specialty equipment, keep knowledge up-to-date, be a technical resource for others, follow technology practices and standards.

Teamwork

• Work as a team player with co-workers and in conjunction with other departments.
• Attend staff meetings and in-service training sessions as required.
   

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and demonstrate the competencies listed above in addition to the following:
- Minimum of 18 years of age.
- Minimum of one year of teaching group exercise classes.
- Trained in and available to teach a minimum of three different class formats is preferred.
Manual 3, Section I, Chapter ARC Page 13
- Be available to teach a minimum of three hours per week on varying days and times.
- Knowledge of fitness principles, cueing participants, and exercise prescription.
- Thorough understanding of strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
- Knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology and physiology.
- Ability to modify exercise programs for special populations.
- Ability to operate simple machinery and tools.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to work independently, to be self-motivated, and maintain professionalism at all times.
- Ability to work effectively with the general public, cooperating agencies, businesses, organizations, civic groups, and park district employees.
- Ability to read, understand, remember, and interpret routine documents such as safety rules as well as communicate information therein.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondences and to speak effectively before groups of participants or employees of the organization.
- Ability to understand, remember, and apply common sense to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
- Ability to identify and respond quickly to emergency situations.
- Ability to effectively problem solve and adapt to change.
Education & Training
- Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Certified by ACE, ACSM, AFAA, or similar.
- Certified in field of specialty (i.e., Yoga, Pilates, Zumba).
- Obtain and maintain first-aid certification within 90 days of employment.
- Obtain and maintain adult CPR/AED certification prior to start of classes.