Personal Trainer - Student Hourly

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center seeks a Personal Trainer to guide clients toward health and fitness goals within a structured program. You will lead progressive training plans, teach proper technique, and support risk management while maintaining detailed session records and assisting with program events.

Ideal candidates hold CPR/AED and CPT/NCCA certification, have experience with gym equipment, and can lift up to 45 pounds.

Qualifications

• CPR/AED certification with in-person skills assessment or willingness to obtain within 4 weeks of employment.
• CPT exam accredited by NCCA within 6 months or already possessing a qualifying certification.
• Experience using cardiovascular and resistance training equipment such as selectorized machines, plate loaded machines, free weights.

Responsibilities

• Developing, leading, and instructing clients through a progressive training program.
• Ensure proper technique; mitigate risk of injury.
• Document sessions and manage payments; maintain training records.

Skills

CPR/AED certification

CPT certification

Cardio equipment

Lift 45 lbs

Communication skills

Tools

Selectorized machines

Free weights

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

Duties include, but are not limited to:

50% - Programming

• 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.

35% - Risk Management

• 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.

10% - Administration

• 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.

5% - Other

• Required to attend staff meetings and trainings.
• Assisting with special events.
• General troubleshooting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• Experience using cardiovascular and resistance training equipment such as selectorized machines, plate loaded machines, and free weights.
• Personal Trainers are required to work an average of 6 hours a week.
• Complete concussion training within 4 weeks of employment.
• Excellent communication skills,as evidenced by application materials/interview.
• 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: 1) 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.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following are required to be considered for this position:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Application review date of 10/26/26.

Contact Information to Applicants

Miranda Kolenda

[e-mail]

785-864-1822

Advertised Salary Range

$15.40 to $18.45 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday November 30, 2026