Pickleball Instructor

About the role

The Pickleball Instructor at THPRD provides fun, engaging, and educational pickleball programming for community members of all ages. This position focuses on teaching fundamental skills, promoting active lifestyles, fostering inclusive community participation, and ensuring the safe use of public recreation facilities. The Pickleball Instructor may lead group classes, youth and adult lessons, drop-in play sessions, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Teach pickleball fundamentals, including serving, strokes, volleys, footwork, and basic strategy
• Create lesson plans that support progressive skill development for beginner through intermediate players
• Provide constructive and encouraging feedback to participants of varied backgrounds and abilities
• Promote a welcoming, inclusive environment that aligns with THPRD values
• Ensure adherence to safety practices and departmental policies
• Set up and break down equipment before and after each program session
• Lead warmups, drills, skill building activities, and supervised gameplay
• Support programming by teaching age-appropriate skills and encouraging positive sportsmanship
• Communicate effectively with participants, families, and staff
• Aid in department events such as tournaments, community days, or family recreation programs
• Report attendance, incidents, equipment needs, or facility concerns to supervisory staff

Qualifications and Requirements

• Strong understanding of pickleball rules, scoring, and basic strategies
• Prior experience coaching, teaching, or assisting in a recreation or sports environment
• Strong communication skills with a positive, patient, and community-centered approach
• Ability to work effectively with youth, adults, and seniors
• Commitment to safety and ability to monitor group activity responsibly
• Physical ability to demonstrate skills and participate in on-court activity
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently or as part of a team
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain upon hire

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications

• Experience working with park and recreation programs
• DUPR Coach Credentialing Program
• Current pickleball coaching certification from one or more of the following organizations:
• PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry)
• PCI (Pickleball Coaching International)
• RSPA (Racket Sports Professional Association)
• IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association)