Sports Instructor Certified - Karate

About the Role

Our culture at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads is driven by our mission and core values, strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined, creating spaces where people can belong, grow, lead, and become catalysts for change. This culture guides how we lead, serve, develop talent, make decisions, and deliver on the YMCA’s mission.

The Certified Sports Instructor is a leader who shows a high level of commitment to program success. Instructors have the authority to make decisions regarding the safety and well‑being of all members and non‑members participating in the program. They are approachable and dedicated to providing participants with the most enjoyable experience possible, teaching safe, challenging classes that promote self‑discipline, fitness, and confidence while embodying honesty, respect, caring, faith, and responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Teach safe and challenging classes.
• Plan classes and tailor them to the skill level of the students, including new techniques, basic moves, and sport‑appropriate language.
• Demonstrate techniques and help students perfect their own techniques.
• Motivate participants to succeed through each promotional level or recital to build confidence.
• Adhere to class format as listed in the class description.
• Develop and oversee leadership abilities in participants through recognition (assistant instructor, junior leader, student of the month).
• Schedule promotional testing or recitals of participants.
• Maintain records of participants’ levels to meet general promotion requirements, if applicable.
• Place, pick up, and deliver orders for uniforms and other supplies to participants.
• Attend staff meetings as required.
• Fill out incident reports for all accidents that occur.
• Promote the sport program through yearly public demonstrations.
• Abide by YMCA COVID‑19 sanitation practices/standards, including maintaining cleanliness of the lobby and wellness floors.
• Follow all YMCA policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to work with a variety of personalities and learning levels.
• Maintain a certification from a nationally recognized organization or have two years of sport‑related education above high school level.
• Minimum of 2 years of instructor experience with strong knowledge of sport theory, training principles, techniques, and practices.
• Maintain all required sport certifications where applicable (active).
• CPR/First Aid/AED/O₂ certification (within 30 days of hire).
• Employment contingent upon satisfactory performance and completion of required screenings (background, driver’s license, CPS, drug/alcohol testing, etc.) as applicable by law.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This position operates in an active, community‑based environment with regular physical interaction with children, families, team members, and other stakeholders. The role requires the ability to walk, run, stand, climb, kneel, sit on the floor and return to a standing position, stoop, and jump. The employee must be able to lift and pull up to 50 pounds and may be required to stand or sit for extended periods. Continuous attention to detail, effective multitasking, and the ability to respond appropriately in a dynamic environment are essential. The YMCA provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable performance of essential functions, consistent with applicable law.

Compensation

Wage Range: $15.00 – $18.00 hourly.