Health Fitness Specialist - Hershey, PA.

About the role

The Health Fitness Specialist uses specialized educational experience and training combined with independent judgment to ensure quality in all areas of the Fitness Center, including exercise program design, fitness testing, nutritional advice, customer service, group exercise, and other Fitness Center and departmental initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Assesses health status of members, ranging from apparently healthy to high risk, to provide exercise and other wellness‑related counsel/recommendations unique to each individual through exercise prescriptions, fitness assessments and related services.
• Creates educational and program‑specific print materials that are relevant to the population and convey safe and accurate health information; writes clearly and informatively, varying style to meet audience needs.
• Teaches group exercise classes onsite; provides a range of activities to meet various fitness levels, adheres to safety guidelines, and keeps classes inviting, challenging, and well‑attended.
• Supervises the fitness center and uses educational background and training to accurately and safely answer member questions related to health, fitness, and wellbeing.
• Supervises Coverage Specialists and Group Fitness Instructors (where applicable); delegates work assignments, addresses performance issues, and makes hiring/firing/discipline recommendations to the Manager as needed.
• Conducts orientations covering facility layout, membership policies/procedures, and Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Implements and participates in NIFS and client‑led programs and services.
• Assists with marketing programs and services to members and other employees/residents of the client.
• Establishes an ongoing positive and professional rapport with members.
• Cross‑trains to learn responsibilities of other full‑time staff; may provide supervision of front‑desk attendants or coverage specialists as directed.
• Partners with other staff to help clean equipment and other areas of the facility as needed.
• Demonstrates work ethic, ingenuity, customer care, and attention to detail.
• Maintains familiarity with and abides by the policies stated in the NIFS Employee Handbook.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Technical Skills: Performs essential duties, pursues training, shares expertise, exercises independent judgment in health coaching, displays creativity, and develops innovative approaches.
• Customer Service: Responds promptly to customer needs, listens for clarification, refers difficult situations to management, and meets commitments to internal and external customers.
• Interpersonal Skills: Solves conflict, offers solutions, maintains confidentiality, listens without interrupting, controls emotions, diffuses gossip, asks for and offers help, and communicates professionally.
• Professionalism: Approaches others tactfully, reacts well under pressure, treats all with respect, accepts responsibility, adheres to a collaborative work schedule, ensures coverage when absent, adapts to change, and completes tasks on time.
• Judgment: Provides sound, timely, and accurate decisions with clear reasoning and includes appropriate stakeholders.
• Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, seeks improvement, and applies feedback to enhance performance.
• Teamwork: Volunteers readily, balances team and individual responsibilities, welcomes feedback, contributes to positive team spirit, and prioritizes team success.
• Organizational Support: Follows NIFS policies and procedures, completes tasks correctly and on time, supports equal‑opportunity policies, respects workplace diversity, and follows management direction.

Qualifications

• Degree in a health‑related field, preferably from a four‑year college/university.
• Internship in a corporate fitness setting (preferred).
• Six months to one year of experience in the field (preferred).
• Ability to teach basic core and muscle‑conditioning group fitness classes.
• Ability to safely and accurately prescribe exercise for a variety of populations using ACSM guidelines.
• Computer skills: knowledge of Internet Explorer or other web platforms; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher).

Certifications

• ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (preferred).
• Other industry‑related certifications (e.g., CPT, CSCS) acknowledged.
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid certification (required).
• Annual training in Universal Precautions (provided by NIFS).

Language Skills

• Reads and accurately interprets documents such as NIFS or client policies, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Writes routine reports and correspondence effectively for the designated audience.
• Speaks effectively in English.

Other Requirements

• May be required to submit to and successfully pass a thorough background check and/or drug screen.
• Must have regular and reliable transportation to and from work.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. Occasionally required to sit. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 lb, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lb, and rarely lift and/or move up to 100 lb.

Work Environment

The work environment includes frequent exposure to moving equipment parts, occasional exposure to outside weather conditions, and a generally moderate noise level. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.