Instructor - Water Exercise (Part-Time)

Mt. Hood Community College; Gresham (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

Mt. Hood Community College is seeking a Water Exercise Instructor responsible for teaching water exercise classes and ensuring participant safety. The instructor will assist in emergencies, promote an inclusive environment, and engage in community events. Qualifications include Lifeguarding certification and Water Fitness certification within 90 days of hire. The role offers variable hours, emphasizing both safety and effective communication skills to provide a fulfilling experience for participants.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching aquatic or land-based exercise classes.
• Commitment to embracing and advancing access and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct classes and maintain vigilance.
• Educate participants on safe exercise techniques.
• Promote classes and assist with advertising.

Skills

Ability to react quickly in emergencies

Knowledge of water safety

Effective communication

Experience working with adults

Education

American Red Cross Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding certification

Water Fitness certification

Job description

Job Summary

Teaches water exercise classes to maximize participants' personal physical exercise goals. Ensures patron safety, performs patron surveillance, responds quickly and renders aid in emergencies. Completes reports and required record‑keeping. Promotes an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engages in evidence‑based decision‑making while supporting the mission, goals, and values of the department and college.

Work Hours

Work hours are variable: classes offered in the morning 7:15 AM–12 NOON and in the evenings 6:45 PM–7:30 PM.

Essential Duties

• Conduct classes and maintain vigilance. Greets, introduces, and welcomes participants.
• Provides constant control of the class and emphasizes safety at all times.
• Responds or assists in emergencies.
• Arrives to class well prepared and organized with routine and music.
• Educates participants concerning safe exercise techniques and monitors for safety using positive reinforcement; uses exercise equipment and/or music appropriately.
• Communicates effectively with other water exercise instructors as well as pool management personnel regarding classes, participants, equipment, space, and cancellations.
• Assists with housekeeping duties as needed, ensuring pool and deck area are functional for the next activity.
• Promotes classes and assists with advertising the water exercise program at health fairs and similar community events.
• Attends required in‑service trainings for both lifeguards and instructors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working with adults.
• Experience teaching aquatic or land‑based exercise classes.
• Commitment to embracing and advancing access and diversity.
• American Red Cross Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding certification, maintained throughout employment.
• Water Fitness certification from an accredited organization or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, maintained throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading water exercise classes.
• Experience working with senior adults.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to react quickly and effectively in emergencies and activate the facility’s Emergency Action Plan.
• Knowledge of and ability to understand water safety best practices at a commercial facility, including the role and duties of a professional lifeguard.
• Ability to maintain full and complete attention to patron surveillance while on duty.
• Ability to problem‑solve and seek assistance when needed.
• Knowledge of and ability to understand the skills for different levels of water exercise.
• Knowledge of and ability to identify basic health and mobility issues that may arise with patrons of different ages and fitness levels.

Working Conditions

Must have sufficient physical fitness to instruct multiple water exercise classes; must possess sufficient swimming ability to reach a patron within 30 seconds; must be able to deliver emergency equipment poolside within 30 seconds of emergency notification; must be able to teach on deck and in the water; must be able to demonstrate and describe specific exercises/movements and adapt them as needed to accommodate different levels of fitness and mobility. Works variable schedule and exhibits regular and predictable attendance. Work may be performed in an office and recreation facility, outdoors or indoors, during variable weather conditions.

Salary Placement

Initial salary placement will be within the posted range or pay rate of the position, based on applicable education and/or years of relevant full‑time equivalent experience at the sole discretion of the College and in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. Please include all relevant education and full and part‑time experience (including unpaid and volunteer experience) in your application that you want the College to review towards potential placement. Hired employees will not have an opportunity to update past education and/or experience or appeal initial placement after the time of hire.