A Career with a Cause:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. Our mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Y strengthens the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus; youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility and our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values.

We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and grow. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Position Summary:

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The Sports & Rec Instructor at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and provides direct leadership, instruction, motivation, safety, and enjoyment for Race4Chase participants. The Sports & Rec Instructor provides direct instruction and assures the well-being for each participant while using YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Models the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility with members, colleagues, guests, volunteers, and vendors.
• Instructs Race4Chase program in accordance with YMCA guidelines, having prepared lesson plans accordingly, and supports members and program participants in achieving their goals.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with volunteers, members, program participants, and colleagues at all levels of the organization; helps participants and families connect with each other and the YMCA; and encourages parent or caregiver involvement.
• Maintains proper attendance and skill records; prepares required progress reports as directed, as well as provide participants and their families with recommendations for follow-up lesson placement.
• Responsible for communicating with participants and parents in a timely and professional manner including scheduling and answering questions that will support a positive experience with the Y.
• Follows all Race4Chase procedures and guidelines including those pertaining to health and safety, sessions, forms, reports, and staff expectations.
• Develops positive relationships with participants and provides motivational support and guidance.
• Ambassador of all YMCA programs with a focus on Race4Chase programs, schedules, and member engagement.
• Maintains physical presence at all times with class and remains aware of surroundings and participants.
• Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures, and those for the prevention of child abuse.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings.

YMCA Leadership Competencies:

• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment.
• Communication and Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s Cause.
• Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others both formally and informally to achieve their highest potential.

Experience, Education, and Qualifications:

• Minimum of 1 year of youth sport instruction experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of post-high school education in a related field.
• Must be able to demonstrate youth sport instructor skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
• Possess the ability to observe and instruct participants in proper technique.
• Must be people oriented, possess professional communication and organizational skills.
• Must have a passion for helping others, patience, and the ability to adjust to evolving situations.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and assist in youth sport activities within a busy environment including swimming, biking, and running.
• Ability to work well with youth and adults in a largely diverse population.

Trainings & Certifications:

• Must hold and maintain current CPR, AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration within 60 days of hire date.
• Must complete online New Employee Orientation, Sexual Harassment, Child Abuse Prevention, Mandated Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazard Communication, and Employee Safety trainings prior to start of position.

Effect on End Results:

This position strongly impacts the effectiveness with which the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA accomplishes its mission. The role requires that the Sports & Rec Instructor be committed to delivering high quality results, building positive relationships, maintaining a safe environment, and fostering a healthy community for all.

• Participants set and achieve personal goals.
• Race4Chase environment/facility is safe, welcoming, clean, and free of hazards.
• All YMCA programs are recognized in the community as high quality and safe programs.
• All applicable licensing standards, grant stipulations, YMCA policies, state and local laws, and YMCA of the USA risk management recommendations are met or exceeded.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate. The employee frequently is required to remain stationary; move; type; and reach objects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Must be able to the ability to perform all physical aspects of the position.Must be able to be in the water for extended periods of time and pass aquatic proficiency tests. Must have sufficient visual and auditory acuity to respond to emergencies in a timely manner in a busy pool environment.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a recreational and educational environment. This role routinely uses standard sports and recreation equipment such as gym equipment, sports equipment, and office equipment such as phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. At times, employees may be exposed to undesirable working conditions, communicable infectious diseases, and risk of injury from others. All employees are required to follow the preventative health policies of the YMCA at all times. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

EEO Statement

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is an equal opportunity employer, practicing equality of employment and advancement opportunities to all regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, learning disability, mental disability, physical disability, veteran status, or any other protected group status under federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment; including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absences, compensation and training.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.