Wellness Coach I

Job Details: Job Location: Gary YMCA - Gary, IN, Position Type: Part Time, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Pay starts at $11.00 per hour and up based on experience.

Inspire Change. Build Strength. Help Others Reach Their Goals. Become a Wellness Coach at the Y!

Do you enjoy encouraging others, building relationships, and helping people work toward their health and wellness goals? As a YMCA Wellness Coach, you'll help members feel welcomed, supported, and motivated as they take steps toward healthier lifestyles. You'll work with people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels while helping them connect with wellness resources and YMCA programs.

What You Can Expect

You will:

Coach members in support of their personal health and wellness goals and desired behavior changes.
Check in with members regularly and encourage progress toward personal and program goals.
Answer questions and provide general wellness information to help members make informed choices about healthy living.
Build authentic relationships with members and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported.
Help members connect with one another, YMCA programs, group exercise opportunities, and other resources based on their interests and goals.
Use wellness tools, handouts, schedules, and other YMCA resources to increase member knowledge and engagement.
Help members identify appropriate YMCA programs and resources that support their individual goals.
Maintain current knowledge of wellness, fitness, and exercise-industry trends.
Maintain and clean wellness equipment according to established schedules and supervisor direction.
Follow YMCA policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Maintain professional boundaries by providing general wellness support and referring members to qualified healthcare professionals when medical concerns arise.
Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
Support YMCA fundraising activities and the annual campaign.
Perform other duties as assigned.

What Makes This Job Rewarding

This position offers the opportunity to:

Make a meaningful difference in people's health and well-being.
Encourage members as they work toward personal goals and positive lifestyle changes.
Build genuine relationships and help members feel connected to their YMCA community.
Help people discover programs, resources, and activities that support their interests.
Develop valuable coaching, communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
Gain experience in wellness, fitness, recreation, customer service, and community engagement.
Work with people of different ages, abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Grow your knowledge of health and wellness while helping others grow.
Build valuable experience that can support future opportunities in fitness, wellness, recreation, education, healthcare, or related fields.

What Can Be Challenging

Wellness coaching requires patience, consistency, communication, and the ability to meet people where they are.

You should expect to:

Work with members who have different goals, abilities, experiences, and levels of comfort with exercise and wellness.
Adapt your communication and approach to meet individual member needs.
Encourage members who may be struggling to establish or maintain healthy habits.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when discussing health and wellness.
Know when a member's concern should be referred to a qualified healthcare professional.
Stay current with wellness and fitness trends and YMCA programs.
Maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members.
Balance individual member support with other responsibilities and program needs.
Maintain and organize wellness equipment and resources.
Respond appropriately to safety concerns or emergencies.
Work flexible hours based on program and member needs, including morning availability.

Qualifications

Must be at least 16 years of age.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate and relate effectively to people from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and socioeconomic circumstances.
Ability to read and interpret instructions, procedures, manuals, and other documents.
Passion for learning about health, wellness, fitness, and healthy living.
Desire and ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Ability to build positive, authentic relationships with members.
Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and continue developing wellness knowledge and coaching skills.
Previous experience in fitness, wellness, coaching, customer service, recreation, sports, or youth/family programming is helpful but not required.

Physical Requirements

Ability to:

Communicate effectively through visual, auditory, and verbal communication.
Maintain a high level of alertness, concentration, and initiative.
Demonstrate sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform job responsibilities.
Lift up to 50 pounds.
Stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time.
Occasionally bend, lean, kneel, and move throughout the wellness environment.
Respond quickly and appropriately to safety concerns or emergency situations.
Maintain a neat and professional appearance.
Demonstrate initiative and sound judgment while working with members.

Is This Role Right for You?

You'll be successful in this position if you:

Enjoy encouraging and supporting others.
Are patient, positive, dependable, and approachable.
Enjoy building relationships and getting to know people.
Are interested in health, wellness, fitness, or healthy living.
Can listen carefully and communicate with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
Can motivate others while respecting their individual goals and abilities.
Are comfortable learning new information and sharing appropriate wellness resources.
Know the importance of staying within your role and referring medical concerns to qualified professionals.
Stay calm and focused in busy or unexpected situations.
Enjoy being part of a team and contributing to a welcoming YMCA environment.
Are willing to learn, receive feedback, and continuously improve your skills.
Believe everyone deserves a welcoming, supportive, and encouraging place to work toward better health and well-being.

Benefits at Crossroads YMCA

When you join Crossroads YMCA, you'll enjoy benefits that support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth, including:

Free individual YMCA membership
Discounts on YMCA programs
Voluntary 403(b) retirement savings plan
Training and professional development opportunities
Career growth opportunities

Ready to inspire change and help others reach their wellness goals? Join the Crossroads YMCA Wellness Team today!

Our Mission

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Qualifications: