Instructor, Fitness

City of Wheat Ridge; Wheat Ridge (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Wheat Ridge is seeking a qualified fitness instructor to develop and teach group exercise classes in indoor/outdoor settings. You will prepare lesson plans, demonstrate exercises, and ensure safe participation while maintaining a welcoming environment. Certifications and ongoing attendance at staff meetings are required.

Responsibilities include client engagement, safety enforcement, and coordinating substitute instructors when necessary to ensure program continuity.

Qualifications

• Group Exercise Certification from ACE, AFAA, ACSM, or City-approved equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• American Red Cross CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required at hire.
• Additional certifications may be required based on the fitness program.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach class content appropriate to the course description, participant level and program objectives.
• Prepare lesson plans, instructional materials, and equipment to provide safe instruction.
• Provide clear instruction, demonstrations, and feedback to participants.
• Monitor participants and modify activities to support safe participation.
• Attend required staff meetings and training; arrange substitutes when needed.

Skills

Group fitness instruction

Exercise science

Anatomy

Cardiovascular health

Strength training

Injury prevention

Motivation techniques

Adult instruction

Education

Group Exercise Certification

CPR/AED/First Aid certification

Tools

Fitness equipment operation

Job description

Anticipated Hiring Range: $19.87- $21.26.GENERAL PURPOSE:Wheat Ridge is located on the ancestral homelands of Native peoples who lived on and stewarded this land long before its incorporation. During the 1859 Gold Rush, the City was a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the communityChange: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals.Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City.NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!RESPONSIBILITIES:Develop and teach class content appropriate to the course description, participant level, and program objectives.Prepare lesson plans, instructional materials, and equipment necessary to provide safe and effective instruction.Provide clear instruction, demonstrations, and feedback to participants.Monitor participants and modify activities as appropriate to support safe participation.Ensure participants use appropriate attire, footwear, and equipment when applicable.Maintain a safe and welcoming environment and enforce applicable facility and program policies.Complete required reports and records, including incident reports, health forms, attendance records, and supply requests.Attend required staff meetings and training.Arrange for a qualified and dependable substitute when unable to teach a scheduled class, in accordance with department procedures.Prepare, set up, and break down equipment and materials required for instruction.Promote positive participant experiences and encourage continued participation.Perform related work as required and assigned.JOB QUALIFICATIONS:KnowledgePrinciples, practices, methods, and techniques of group fitness instruction.Exercise science, human anatomy, and cardiovascular health.Strength and resistance training principles.Injury prevention and safe exercise practices.Methods for motivating and working effectively with adult participants.Applicable facility, safety, and program policies and procedures.SkillsEffective verbal communication and public relations.Group fitness instruction and participant engagement.Safe and effective operation of applicable fitness equipment.Ability to demonstrate and explain exercises and movement techniques.Ability to adapt instruction to varying participant abilities and fitness levels.AbilitiesPlan, organize, and instruct assigned fitness classes.Provide clear demonstrations and instruction.Monitor participant safety and modify activities when appropriate.Manage groups in a professional, positive, and respectful manner.Follow established policies, procedures, and instructions.Remain current with fitness industry practices and trends.Analyze routine situations and determine appropriate courses of action.Work independently with limited supervision.Learn and follow facility emergency procedures.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants, staff, and the public.EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:Group Exercise Certification from a nationally recognized fitness organization, such as ACE, AFAA, ACSM, or another organization approved by the City, and/or certification appropriate to the assigned fitness discipline.Must be at least 18 years of age.American Red Cross Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid certification, or equivalent, is required at the time of hire.Additional certifications may be required based on the fitness program or class assigned.HOURS OF WORK, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:Performed in an indoor and/or outdoor setting where incumbent may be subject to noise and distraction; requires extended periods of speaking in a loud voice for up to an hour at a time; requires public relations skills in handling concerns and complaints; entails working closely with others and working with little supervision; requires excellent organizational/time management skills. Requires muscular exertion and/or physical strain and frequent concentration on an activity where the flow of work is intermittent; requires use of hands to fingers, ability to reach, climb, bend, stoop, crouch and occasionally lift objects weighing less than 24 lbs.The City of Wheat Ridge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, marital status or any other applicable characteristics protected by law, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.