Chronic Disease Health Educator

ymcapkccareers; Gig Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership

Flexible scheduling

Professional development

Job summary

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is seeking a part-time Chronic Disease Health Educator in Gig Harbor, WA. The role involves delivering evidence-based disease-prevention programming, engaging participants, and coordinating with care teams to support healthier lifestyles.

You will promote inclusive programs, track attendance and outcomes, and help participants achieve personal health goals in a supportive, non-judgmental setting.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience teaching lifestyle behavior change classes preferred.
• Experience with referral management and/or care coordination is a plus.
• Knowledge of aerobic/group exercise and strength training components.
• Ability to demonstrate YMCA-approved skills and lead safe classes.
• Positive attitude with experience engaging diverse populations.
• Must pass background and references checks per WA state law.
• Willingness to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on day one.

Responsibilities

• Identify and deliver chronic disease programs to high‑risk, low‑income community members.
• Conduct referral calls to determine appropriate evidence‑based interventions.
• Travel to community locations to deliver programs as needed.
• Collaborate with Marketing/Membership to promote programs and enroll participants.
• Provide regular program status updates to Health & Well‑Being leadership.
• Create a safe, welcoming environment for participants.

Skills

Lifestyle behavior change

Fitness knowledge

Group exercise instruction

Diversity & inclusion

Data entry & reporting

Job description

Position: Chronic Disease Health Educator

Wage: $19.57 to $23.73 per hour (Compensation is determined based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications, with most new hires starting between the minimum and midpoint of the posted wage range)

Hours: Part-Time, Up to 25 hours per week

Location: Tom Taylor Family YMCA, Gig Harbor, WA

As a Chronic Disease Health Educator, you will be responsible for serving, building relationships and connecting with members who may need extra support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this role, you will be able to create a safe, judgement-free, and encouraging environment that is friendly and non-competitive for participants.

If hired for this position,you will deliver engaging, safe, and educational programming to participants that align with the YMCAmission while also helping members reach their personal health goals.

Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience teaching lifestyle behavior change classes preferred.
• Experience with referral management and/or care coordination to various services.
• Knowledge of the fitness components of an aerobic or group exercise class and strength training.
• The ability to demonstrate skills in accordance with YMCA standards and effectively lead a safe aerobic/group exercise class.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with diverse populations.
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).
• Committed to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with Director of Care Coordination to identify and deliver chronic disease programs to high-risk, low-income community members.
• Conduct referral phone calls with individuals to determine what evidence-based health intervention program and/or YMCA service can support their individual health journey.
• Travel to community locations for program delivery as needed.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Membership staff to promote programs to engage potential participants; conducting screening conversations and enroll participants.
• Connect with branch Health and Well-Being Director on a regular basis to update on program status and progress.
• Participate in all required Lifestyle Coach discussions (meetings, emails, or conference calls) and professional development opportunities, offering ideas and tools for facilitation to other team members.
• Create a safe, judgment-free, and encouraging environment that is friendly and non-competitive for participants.
• Record weekly data for each participant (attendance, weight, physical activity minutes, food tracker completion) in electronic database according to data entry timing requirements. Participate in program progress and outcome tracking.
• Provide physical activity coaching tailored to meet the various fitness levels of participants.

Benefits:

All YMCA Employees receive the below benefits:

• A Personal YMCA membership and YMCA360 virtual streaming membership
• Flexible scheduling around school and extracurricular activities Paid Sick Leave accrued at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked per year
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Digital mental health counseling platform, Wellness program, and LifeMart employee discount center
• Professional training, education, and certification opportunities
• 20% discount on YMCA programs, childcare services and merchandise

Part-Time employees who work more than 20 hrs./week are eligible for the below voluntary benefit options:

• HealthiestYou: by Teladoc (24/7 virtual general medical care access for non-emergency conditions)
• Willamette Dental Plan
• VSP Vision Plan

At the Y, we’re all about empowering people, inspiring action, and strengthening the communities we call home. Join our team and support our vision of creating opportunity to all can thrive in every season of life.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

Chronic Disease Health Educator Job Description

Position Summary

Provides program coordination, instruction and motivation for participants in YMCA evidence-based chronic disease behavior change programs, such as the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, YMCA Weight Loss Program, LIVESTRONG at the Y, while maintaining fidelity to evidence-based curriculum. Delivers program in accordance with evidence-based program fidelity and YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. Represents the YMCA and self in a professional manner, offering safe and engaging healthy lifestyle practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with Health and Wellbeing Directors as well as Director of Care Coordination to identify and deliver chronic disease programs to high risk, low income community members.
• Record weekly data for each participant (attendance, weight, physical activity minutes, food tracker completion, necessary surveys, etc.) in electronic database according to data entry requirement determined by the program and Director of Care Coordination.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Membership staff to promote programs to engage potential participants and conduct screening conversations and enroll participants into evidence-based chronic disease programs.
• Participate in all required Lifestyle Coach discussions (meetings, emails, and/or conference calls) and professional development opportunities, offering ideas and tools for facilitation to other team members.
• Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• At least one-year experience teaching lifestyle behavior change classes preferred
• Current certification in YMCA Evidence-based chronic disease program preferred
• Experience facilitating group based programming to adult and/or children
• Knowledge of fitness components of aerobic or group exercise class and strength training
• Knowledge of basic health, physical activity, and wellness principles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and ability to be adaptable to new software and platforms.
• Complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day. Complete other online and in-person training as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, and use computer screen for duration of time
• Occasionally may need to plan and participate in programming outdoors.

Employee Acknowledgement

This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment-at-will rights at any time.

By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position. Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.