Personal Trainer - Student Hourly

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 21,215 - 25,416; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas is seeking Personal Trainers to assist members of the KU community at Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. The role focuses on providing personalized training, ensuring safety, and managing client schedules.

Ideal candidates will possess CPR/AED certification and a personal training certification. This position requires a commitment to an average of 6 hours per week, with an hourly rate ranging from $15.40 to $18.45. Applicants also need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during their appointment.

Qualifications

• CPR/AED certification required or must obtain within 4 weeks of hiring.
• Experience with cardiovascular and resistance training equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and instruct clients in comprehensive training programs.
• Risk management to prevent injury and ensure safety.
• Document and manage training sessions and payments.

Skills

CPR/AED certification

Knowledge of training equipment

Excellent communication skills

Ability to carry 45 pounds

Education

NCCA accredited personal training certification

Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related major

Tools

Cardiovascular training equipment

Resistance training equipment

Job description

Position Overview

Personal Trainers work at Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. They provide exercise guidance to members of the KU community including students, staff, faculty, KU affiliates, retirees, spouses, and domestic partners to help them meet their health and fitness goals.

Job Description

• Programming (50%)
  • Defining specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time orientated goals.
  • Developing, leading, and instructing clients through a comprehensive and progressive training program, which could include mobility, flexibility, resistance training, and cardiovascular components.
  • Knowledge of various mobility, flexibility, resistance training, and cardiovascular exercises and equipment.
  • Answer clients’ questions about health, fitness, and nutrition within a CPT’s scope of practice.
  • Build rapport with clients.
• Risk Management (35%)
  • Mitigating risk of injury or damage to facility or equipment.
  • Teaching, demonstrating, and ensuring client uses proper technique.
  • Enforcing policies and procedures.
  • Re-racking weights and cleaning equipment used by clients.
  • Spotting lifts for clients.
  • Implementing emergency action procedures as needed.
  • Obtain and maintain an NCCA accredited Certified Personal Training (CPT) certificate such as ACE, NASM, NSCA, ACSM, etc.
  • Obtain and maintain CPR/AED certification.
• Administration (10%)
  • Communicate with the Personal Training Program Manager and program supervisor.
  • Documenting session dates and times and deduction of sessions.
  • Ensuring payment has been received for packages/sessions.
  • Maintaining training records and notes for each client.
• Other (5%)
  • Required to attend staff meetings and trainings.
  • Assisting with special events.
  • General troubleshooting.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Possess a current CPR/AED certification with an in-person skills component assessing all CPR/AED steps, or willing to obtain within 4 weeks of employment.
2. Either completion of ACE Personal Training Program taught through KU Recreation Services and pass a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam accredited by the NCCA within 6 months of hire OR currently possesses a NCCA accredited personal training certification prior to applying for this position.
3. Experience using cardiovascular and resistance training equipment such as selectorized machines, plate loaded machines, and free weights.
4. Personal Trainers are required to work an average of 6 hours a week.
5. Complete concussion training within 4 weeks of employment.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication as evidenced by application materials/interview.
7. Ability to pick up and carry 45 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently possesses an NCCA accredited personal training certification such as ACE, NSCA, NASM, ACSM, etc.
• Previous personal training experience.
• Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health or related major.
• Prior experience taking initiative, demonstrating good time management, and organizational skills as demonstrated in the application materials.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or be pre‑enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or be enrolled in summer session or be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR. This is an hourly/non‑exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non‑exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Compensation

Salary Range: $15.40 to $18.45 per hour.
Anticipated Start Date: Monday April 27, 2026.