Aquafit Instructor

City-of-Markha; Markham; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Markham is seeking an Aquafit Instructor to plan, organize, instruct, and lead Aquafit classes for varied ages and abilities at multiple pool locations across Markham.

You will train and supervise participants with different fitness levels, ensuring a positive, safe environment and motivating them to reach their fitness goals. This role requires current Lifesaving/First Aid and Aquafit certification, with seasonal scheduling and mandatory trainings.

Qualifications

• Good customer service and communication skills to coach and mentor participants.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures.
• Ability to work with a wide range of fitness levels in a diverse community.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates, leads and supervises Aqua fitness classes for participants.
• Adapts program content to abilities of each group.
• Attends mandatory staff trainings and meetings.
• Completes related administrative duties.
• Informs participants about events, changes or cancellations.
• Reports customer service issues to supervisors.
• Ensures site and equipment are safe for activity.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Safety procedures

Communication

Job description

Department and Commission:Recreation, Community Services
Vacancy Type:Temporary
Posting Date: September 1, 2026
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026

About the City of Markham

The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canada’s top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canada’s Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award-winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve.

Join us and make a lasting difference!

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Community Program Coordinator and/or Pool Supervisor, the Aquafit Instructor will be responsible for planning, organizing, instructing and leading Aquafit classes for various ages and abilities.

The candidate will also be responsible for the training and supervision of a variety of participants of various ages and physical abilities and developing a program that recognizes their capabilities and level of fitness within a community recreation environment. They will also help motivate participants to achieve their fitness goals, while ensuring a positive and safe environment.

Locations

City of Markham Pool locations (Cornell Community Centre, Angus Glen Community Centre, Centennial Community Centre, Milliken Mills Community Centre, Thornhill Community Centre, Thornlea Pool and Aaniin Community Centre)

Hours

Hours available may vary per pool.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Facilitates, leads and supervises cutting edge group Aqua fitness exercise classes and programming that meets the individual needs of participants.

• Utilizes innovative teaching strategies that will maximize participant success.
• Observes participant capabilities and teaches program approach as outlined in program description. May adjust Aqua fitness program content specific to the abilities of each group.
• Participates in all mandatory staff training and meetings.
• Completes all related administrative duties assigned.
• Ensures all program participants are aware of upcoming events, program changes or cancellations. Advises participants on program/class procedures and policies, as appropriate.
• Advises Program Coordinator and/or Pool Supervisor of any customer service issues, complaints or inquiries.
• Ensures the site, equipment and supplies are appropriate to the activity and environment to reduce and minimize risk to other staff and participants.

Qualifications

Minimum age of 16 years old at the start of employment

• Good customer service and communication (written and verbal) skills to coach and mentor a diverse range of generally adult students enrolled in the Specialty Aquatics Programs
• Excellent Leadership skills
• Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures
• The ability to work effectively with a wide range of fitness levels in a diverse community

Required Certifications

• Current Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid or Intermediate First Aid with CPR C and AED
• Current Water Art, Speedo, Cala or YMCA Aquafit Certificate

*Please include your Lifesaving ID number on your resume and include a copy of your Aquafit Certification. Certifications that will expire during your work term must be re-certified prior to your start date. If you are registered for an applicable course, please list it on your resume along with the registration dates.

Note:

All qualifications must be current from the beginning to the last day of each session. Qualifications that are due to expire during a session must be re-certified prior to the start of the season and staff will be required to provide proof of registration for the re-certification.

Core Behaviours

• Service Excellence: Meets or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization.
• Change & Innovation: Responds positively and professionally to change and helps others through change.
• Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships.
• Communication: Communicates in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening.
• Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrates ethical behaviour and accountability, aligns with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation.
• Management & Leadership:Demonstrates self-management, professionalism and engagement; leads by example.

Core Values

At the City of Markham, our work is guided by a shared set of core values that shape how we serve our community and support one another.

• Service Excellence: the consistent delivery of high-quality efficient and customer-centric service that exceeds expectations.
• Accountability: our obligation to be responsible and accountable for our actions, decisions and performance.
• People-Focused:putting people first.
• Trust: the confidence we place in each other to act with integrity and fairness.
• Innovation: Investing in each other and the way we deliver our programs and services.

We are looking for candidates who bring these values to life through their actions, decisions, and leadership approach.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) / Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) letter.

AI Disclosure

At the City of Markham, we value transparency and fairness in recruitment. While our system (ADP Workforce Now) includes AI-powered features, we do not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. All evaluations are conducted by people.

The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process.

Please respect our scent free area by not wearing scented products when visiting the office.