Fitness Instructor, ACE

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Fitness Instructor is responsible for planning and leading inclusive, age-appropriate fitness and wellness classes for elementary school–age youth, adults, and older adults at the Gardner Community Center. The instructor designs and delivers safe, engaging physical activity programming that promotes health, mobility, and overall well-being in a community-based setting.

This role includes direct instruction, participant supervision, basic program administration, and coordination with CCSCC staff to ensure programs are responsive to community needs. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Support & Instruction

• Plan and lead group fitness and wellness classes for elementary school–age participants and above, including youth, adults, and older adults.
• Design age-appropriate and ability-appropriate activities that promote strength, flexibility, mobility, and overall fitness.
• Provide clear instruction, demonstrations, and modifications to ensure safe participation for individuals with varying abilities.

Participant Engagement & Safety

• Create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages participant engagement and safe participation..
• Monitor participant safety during activities and follow established safety protocols.
• Support supervision requirements, particularly when working with minors.
• Respond appropriately to participant needs and escalate concerns to program staff in accordance with CCSCC policies and procedures.
• Comply with mandated reporting and supervision requirements when working with minors.

Program Administration

• Assist with attendance tracking and basic program documentation.
• Support setup and breakdown of fitness spaces, including arranging equipment and supplies.

Facility & Equipment Support

• Help ensure fitness equipment and activity spaces are clean, safe, and properly organized.
• Report equipment issues or safety concerns in a timely manner.

Community Engagement

• Represent Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County professionally at the Gardner Community Center.
• Support outreach and participant engagement efforts in collaboration with program staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Certification in fitness instruction, group exercise, personal training, yoga, dance, or a related discipline preferred.
• Experience working with elementary school–age youth, older adults, or mixed-age groups.
• Experience working in community-based, nonprofit, or culturally diverse settings.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (preferred) reflective of the Gardner Community Center service area.
• Experience leading fitness, physical activity, recreation, or wellness classes for youth and/or adults.
• Ability to design and adapt fitness instruction for participants of varying ages, abilities, and fitness levels.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed physical activity practices.
• Willingness to work in person at the Gardner Community Center and adhere to CCSCC policies related to safety, supervision, and mandated reporting.

PHYISCAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor activity spaces at the Gardner Community Center.
• Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move actively throughout the duration of fitness sessions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Requires the ability to lift, carry, and move equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodations.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Criminal background check via livescan fingerprint.
• Must have a TB test performed and submit results.
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance per agency policy or access to reliable transportation sufficient to perform job duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work will take place in both indoors and outdoors.
• Most work will be physical.

HOURS AND OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Standard office hours are Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• This is an in-person, part-time non-benefitted position based at the Gardner Community Center, with an anticipated starting schedule of 15–24 hours per week. 
• This position follows program schedules rather than standard office hours and requires flexibility to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

This position description outlines the general nature and responsibilities of the role but is not exhaustive. Duties may be modified to respond to client needs and agency operations.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Persons seeking employment are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.