Program Instructor, Active Older Adults

YMCA of Greater Cleveland; Warrensville Heights (OH); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA membership

Program discounts

Benefits plan including Health, Dental

Retirement plan with 8% contribution

Paid vacation

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Cleveland invites applications for an AOA program instructor. This role leads age-appropriate activities, promotes safety, and ensures programs align with YMCA values while serving our community.

You will work with branch leadership to organize events, manage rosters, and maintain clean, hazard-free spaces. Requires high school diploma or GED, CPR/First Aid within 30 days, and a commitment to inclusive, safe programming.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED; associates degree preferred.
• Minimum of one year experience in programming/program growth; Active Older Adult programming preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification and Safety training required within 30 days of hire.
• Must model YMCA values and follow the child abuse prevention plan.

Responsibilities

• Execute AOA activities, be prepared with proper materials and attire.
• Market and organize AOA events with YMCA leadership.
• Provide additional support for AOA programming/events under the AOA Coordinator.
• Manage AOA program rosters and program balances.
• Maintain a positive rapport with participants.
• Keep area clean and hazard-free; eliminate hazards in program areas.
• Plan culturally relevant activities aligned with YMCA values.
• Adhere to safety, disinfection, and cleanliness standards.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as requested.
• Follow YMCA policies, including child abuse prevention and emergencies.
• Inform supervisor of dilemmas and updates during working times.
• Learn participants' names and promote member interactions.
• Leave program area in a safe closed-down state and return equipment properly.
• Responsible for setup and breakdown for AOA programming.
• Encourage member involvement in YMCA programs and campaigns.
• Be visibly involved with members, volunteers and staff in a positive manner.

Skills

Customer service skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team player

Welcoming and nurturing attitude

Adaptability

Ability to work with diverse groups

Mandatory reporter for child abuse

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates degree preferred

Job description

At the Y, our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Join our Greater Cleveland YMCA team in living our cause and helping to provide quality, safe and healthy programs and services in our community.

Position Summary

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The AOA program instructor is responsible for leading AOA appropriate programs and branch activities. In addition, they are also responsible for conducting member interaction tasks to promote member satisfaction, sales, and retention. The AOA program instructor is responsible for implementing program plans and supervising activities in the program areas. The AOA program instructor is responsible for the keeping the program area clean and free from clutter, recognize potential hazards, communicate and eliminate hazards relative to program and program areas. Adheres to policies and responsibilities in the Child Abuse Prevention Plan. Plans and implements program activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate and consistent with YMCA values. Model relationship-building skills in all interactions.

Essential Functions

• Execute AOA activities, be prepared to be on time, with proper material, equipment, and in proper attire.
• Work with YMCA leadership to facilitate, market and organized AOA events.
• Provide additional support for AOA programming/events that requires additional staff to run under the guidance of the AOA Coordinator (or other designated branch leadership).
• Manage AOA program rosters and program balances.
• Maintain a positive rapport with participants.
• Keep area clean, recognize potential hazards, communicate and eliminate hazards relative to program and program areas.
• Plan and implement AOA program activities that are culturally relevant and consistent with YMCA values.
• Adhere to program standards including safety, disinfecting and cleanliness standards.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as requested.
• Follow YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies.
• Maintain positive relations with patrons and other staff. Model relationship-building skills in all interactions.
• Inform supervisor and/or co-workers of any dilemmas, concerns, and updates during working times.
• Learn participants’ names, engage them in conversation and promote member interactions in such a way as to encourate members to interact with and get to know each other.
• Leave program area in a safe “closed-down” manner with all equipment and materials properly cleaned and meatly returned to their proper places.
• Responsible for advance ‘set up’ and ‘break down’ for AOA programming.
• Encourage member involvement in YMCA programs, events, and Annual Campaign.
• Be visibly involved with members, volunteers and staff in a positive, friendly manner that communicates and demonstrates the YMCA’s core values of caring, honest respect and responsibility.

Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or GED required, Associates degree preferred.

Experience

Minimum of one year's experience in programming/program growth. (Active Older Adult) Programming (preferred)

Certification(s) And Requirements

• CPR and First Aid certification and Safety training required within 30 days of hire.
• Adhere to Blood borne Pathogen standards and attend annual training.

Technical Skills And Knowledge

• Experience with computers and cell phones (but not limited to).
• Must be able to model the key attributes; Welcoming, Genuine, Hopeful, Nurturing and Determined.
• Program expertise to instruct / lead class(s), team(s) when assigned instruction is unavailable.
• Demonstrated strong customer service skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated team player.
• Demonstrate commitment to the mission, cause of the YMCA, and uphold its values and ethics.
• Ability to work effectively work with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions.
• Willingness and ability to be a mandated reporter for any signs or suspicion of child abuse and neglect. All employees are required to follow the child abuse and neglect reporting process: completion of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect reporting form, calling children protective services (696-Kids) and notifying your immediate supervisor, branch executive, risk management and human resources department (s).

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Work Environment

• Ability to work in a moderate to noisy work environment.
• Ability to multitask in a changing environment.
• Ability to travel as required.
• May be required to work outside and on occasion may encounter inclement weather.

Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

About YMCA of Greater Cleveland

Our vision is to be the premier community-based, charitable organization that embraces collaborations to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. That's why we offer an exceptional package that includes:

• A free membership to your local YMCA and discount to YMCA programs including childcare (part-time positions do not receive discount on childcare).
• Additional employee discounts at many places in and around town, just for being a YMCA of Greater Cleveland employee.
• Eligible employees receive comprehensive Benefits Plan including Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Plan, Retirement 8% paid by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and paid vacation.