Group Exercise Kickboxing Instructor

About the role

The Athletics & Recreation Department's mission at UC Santa Cruz is to provide a wide variety of professional programs and physical activities that promote and enhance community, academic success, leadership, lifelong wellness, and experiential learning. The Group Exercise Kickboxing Instructor assists in the instruction of non-credited recreational or sports activities for participants of all ages.

Responsibilities

• Design, choreograph, and lead group exercise classes in class-formats for which relevant certifications are held, according to current industry standards for safety and effectiveness, including proper warm-ups, cooldowns, and exercise/movement progressions.
• Teach, demonstrate, and promote proper safe and effective class-specific exercise techniques and forms.
• Arrive on-site at the classroom, in time to complete the full set-up and preparation of the classroom and equipment by no later than 5 minutes before the class’s scheduled start-time.
• Facilitate pre-class participant check-in procedures prior to the start of each class session.
• Begin and end class sessions punctually (i.e. at their scheduled and advertised start and end times).
• Provide thorough introductions and instructions to participants prior to the beginning of each class session.
• Maintain a welcoming, positive, encouraging, inclusive, and non-intimidating classroom atmosphere.
• Select and play appropriate music (no explicit lyrics or potentially offensive/device/controversial subject matter) at appropriate volume-levels.
• Provide participants with safe, appropriate, and effective exercise modifications when needed or requested.
• Frequently update and modify class design, choreography, and music.
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings, including annual all-staff training in mid-September, quarterly one-on-one check-in meetings with supervisor, and annual one-on-one performance-review in July.
• Complete and submit quarterly self-evaluations and/or peer-evaluations.
• Read and respond to all communications from supervisor and co-workers in a timely manner.
• Promote, enforce, and adhere to all program and facility policies (i.e. class capacity limits, late-admission restrictions, facility access requirements, membership requirements, etc.).
• Return equipment and supplies to their proper condition, storage-space, and organization prior to the end of each class session’s room reservation.
• Return classrooms to clean, organized, and secure condition after each session.
• Report any unsafe facility and/or equipment conditions or repair-needs immediately.
• Learn and consistently exercise proper use and care of facilities and equipment.
• Instruct participants on, and ensure they exercise the proper use and care of facilities and equipment.
• Greet participants warmly, enthusiastically, and by name (smiling, eye contact, etc.).
• Communicate participant issues, concerns, and feedback to supervisor immediately.
• Accurately answer questions regarding admission fees, sales procedures, class schedules, facility locations/layouts, and program information sources.
• Make pre- and/or post-class announcements regarding program information (i.e. new policies, schedule changes, upcoming promotions, etc.).
• Participate in annual CORNUCOPIA promotional event in late-September.
• Participate in demonstration classes when available.
• Update biographical and class-description information on website when appropriate.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent certification and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Ability to lead safe, effective, and enjoyable group exercise classes in one or more exercise formats offered by our Athletics & Recreation FitLife program (examples: Cardio Kickboxing, Core Conditioning, HIIT/Bootcamp, Indoor Cycling, Mat Pilates, TRX, Zumba, Yoga, or comparable).
• Minimum of 3 months of experience leading and/or co-leading group exercise classes with adult participants.
• Ability to effectively relate to and be sensitive to the needs of a diverse population of participants in regards to age, ethnicity, sexual-orientation, physical ability, and exercise experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and courteously with a diverse group of individuals.
• Excellent time management skills that will ensure punctuality to all work-related events.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional athletic environment.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Creative thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and employ reasoning skills.
• Client service minded with the ability to adapt to the needs of clients.
• Ability to effectively use computer-based communication, scheduling, and productivity services such as web-browsers, Gmail, Google Calendars, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree in a related field (Kinesiology, Physical Education, or comparable).
• Possess a currently-valid professional certification or degree from 2 or more of the following categories: A Group Exercise/Fitness Instructor certification from an NCCA-accredited provider (example: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NAFTA, NETA, or comparable). A 200hr Yoga Instructor certification from a Yoga Alliance-recognized school/agency. A current format-specific group instruction certification or license from a nationally-recognized fitness organization (examples: Zumba, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, Cardio Kickboxing, TRX, Barre, or comparable).
• Knowledge of campus policies and procedures.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience consistently (at least once per week) leading group exercise classes with a wide diversity of participants.
• Ability to speak Spanish fluently.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a current professional certification from 1 or more of the following categories: A Group Exercise/Fitness Instructor certification from an NCCA-accredited provider (example: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NAFTA, NETA, or comparable). A 200hr Yoga Instructor certification from a Yoga Alliance-recognized school/agency. A current format-specific group instruction certification or license from a nationally-recognized fitness organization (examples: Zumba, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, Cardio Kickboxing, TRX, Barre, or comparable).
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• Will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC1092(f)).
• Will be required to wear a University provided uniform.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment.