Associate's Degree or Some College

JVC Northwest; Alaska; On-site; USD 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

JVC Northwest seeks a dynamic Aquatics Community Health and Wellness Coordinator to shape a new culture of aquatic health in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. You will collaborate with local partners and volunteers to promote year-round health through aquatics, while living in a remote indigenous community.

You will start by meeting partners, receiving training, and learning Yup’ik culture, then lead swimming lessons, safety courses, and community events, reporting results to partners and the Red Cross.

Qualifications

• Education requirements include an Associate's Degree or some college.
• An empathy for native cultures will help in engaging our native population.
• A spirit for adventure will help you thrive in rural Alaska.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing aquatic health and safety programs for the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta.
• Coordinate activities, programs, and events with community partners.
• Teach swimming lessons to at‑risk youth and promote water safety.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Community engagement

Aquatics interest

Adventure mindset

Education

Associate's Degree or Some College

Tools

Lifeguard certification

Water Safety Instructor

Job description

Opportunities to serve with JVC Northwest exist in the five beautiful states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska in remote, rural, and urban settings. Click the pins to read about each locale.

Jesuit Volunteers also have the opportunity to serve in other US regions through our sibling organization, Jesuit Volunteer Corps .

Below is a list of opportunities organized by location and by category of service. As part of your application to become a Jesuit Volunteer, we’ll ask about your service preferences, but we ask all applicants to be open to where the need is greatest, and we may ask you to consider options you had not initially thought about. Visit The JV Experience to learn more about the application process and please contact us if you have any questions.

Bethel Parks & Recreation Aquatic and Wellness Program

Position Title

Aquatics Community Health and Wellness Coordinator

Agency Website

Position Focus

AmeriCorps Status

AmeriCorps

Service Impact Area

Capacity Building

Primary Role

Activities or Day Space Coordination (AmeriCorps)

Length of Service Term

12 months

Primary Service Area

Education (Community)

Populations Served

Children and Families, Indigenous Communities, Seniors/Elders, Teens/At-Risk/Opportunity Youth

Other Issues and Roles

Health and Health Education

Brief Position Description:

Join our team to help shape a new culture of aquatic health and safety in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. Share your passion for swimming with a community that’s had limited access to aquatic wellness opportunities yet is eager to learn. You will collaborate with local organizations and volunteers to grow future aquatic leaders and promote year-round physical, mental, and emotional health through aquatics. You will receive strong support, while living within an amazing indigenous community, gaining valuable professional skills and making a meaningful impact on the health of our community.

Day in Life of JV

During the first weeks of service, you will spend time getting to know the community, meeting with partners, and learning about the local Yup’ik culture. You may also complete required training and certifications, and we will fully support you through that process.
Once you are established, you’ll be coordinating and leading activities, programs, and special events.
A typical day may start with teaching swimming lessons to at-risk teens, followed by a class of enthusiastic grade school students. After lunch, you visit a nearby school to introduce water safety courses and prepare them for upcoming pool time. They’re excited to try the inflatable kayaks. While you’re there, you help a parent choose the right aquatic class for her preschooler, and fourth grader. You also convince her she should join the next adult session.
Back at the pool, you use your planning time to finish planning an upcoming special event: a community swim meet! You promote it through social media, and the local radio station. You print flyers to hang tomorrow. With the bit of time left, you report the results of the Parent/Infant Class you completed last week, to the Red Cross.
It’s the end of the service day, but no rush to get home. You enjoy your complimentary membership with a quick weight room session and some cardio on the treadmill, before you take a relaxing soak in the jacuzzi to end the day.

Required & Preferred Skills

Education Requirements

Associate's Degree or Some College

Driver's License Requirement

No

Vehicle Requirement

Nature of Driving

Spanish Language Requirement

No requirement other than English

Preferred Spanish Language Level

No requirement other than English

Additional Languages and Level Preferred

Yup'ik (common, short phrases like hello, ‘Waqaa’, and thank you, "Quyana'). To be learned on site.

Required experience, qualities, or specialized training

An Interest in and empathy for native cultures will be to your advantage in engaging our native population. The knowledge, experience, and skills gained during your service completing a degree in recreation, fitness, public health, wellness, or a related field would be a definite advantage in your ability to make a strong impact on our community and meet our program goals. A spirit for adventure will help you appreciate living in rural Alaska.

Preferred experience, qualities or specialized training

A background in aquatics, recreation, or working with youth in program settings is important for success in this position. We are seeking someone who has experience as a lifeguard, swim instructor, water fitness instructor, or water recreation guide, and who brings strong knowledge of and passion for swimming and water safety. Applicants with aquatic skills, recreation experience, or youth program experience will also be strong candidates. Lifeguard certification and/or Water Safety Instructor certification is preferred. Candidates who are not certified should be able to complete certification within 60 days of starting service. Training is available onsite. Personal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills are needed to engage, motivate, and inspire community members who may be unfamiliar with or nervous about aquatic activities. Organization and Creativity: This role requires creative program development as well as strong organizational ability to coordinate programs, partnerships, schedules, and volunteers. Communication Skills: Success depends on clear communication through written materials, social media outreach, and direct interaction with community members during activities and events.