JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: Fitness Instructor (Thornton Site) 2. HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HR14041 3. ROLE CODE: FISRS 4. DEPARTMENT: Sport & Recreation - Facilities 5. ORGANISATION CHART: Head of Operations: Mark Shone Senior Supervisor: Simon Little/ Richard Henderson Fitness Instructors 6. JOB PURPOSE: The role holder will be required to work flexibly, their contracted hours, between 7am and 8pm Monday to Sunday, not working more than 5 consecutive days. The Fitness Instructors will assist in the day to day running of the Fitness Centre at the Thornton Campus and any Sport and Recreation Facilities. The Fitness Instructors are vital to maintaining high standards of customer care and customer satisfaction, the role also involves administration and clerical (reception) tasks as well as facility maintenance and cleaning. 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The role holder will be based at the Thornton Fitness Centre, which is situated on the Thornton Science Park. The Fitness Centre is available for staff, students, external members and guests of the University. Other facilities include an exercise studio, changing facilities and an outdoor 3G 5-aside football pitch.
8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively The role holder must effectively and clearly communicate with clients and users of the facilities on a daily basis both orally and in writing. For example, membership options, health and safety procedures, gym inductions, personal training programmes and booking recreational times on facilities available. The role holder must clearly and competently advise and instruct users on the correct, safe and effective way to use any equipment. In addition to this the role holder will be required to design and communicate individual exercise programmes on request. 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively The role holder will work as part of a team and is expected to assist and support team members in the completion of daily tasks set by the Senior Fitness Facilities Supervisors. Promote a friendly inclusive atmosphere maintaining a high standard of service. 8.3 Liaison and Networking The role holder will be expected to liaise with various members of University staff and represent the department accordingly. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service The role holder will be required to carry out reception work, facility appointment booking, via telephone or face to face. Conduct Fitness Centre inductions and personal training sessions. They must ensure that all exercise undertaken in the centre is appropriate, safe and effective through supervision, instruction and discussion with users. Client exercise programmes must be kept up to date and periodically reviewed. The role holder will also be required to conduct and maintain excellent client relations with a strong focus on customer care. The role holder must ensure members are treated in a professional and friendly manner, respecting client confidentiality. The role holder will assist the Senior Fitness Facility Supervisors in the smooth running of the Fitness Facilities. The role holder is required to have a flexible approach to work. Be prepared to cover staffing whenever possible for fellow staff members in several areas of work and responsibility. The role holder will be required to attend all staff meetings and be aware of the Fitness Centre mission statement, carrying out all tasks related to this.
The role holder will be required to actively participate in marketing and membership sales, along with developing and promoting appropriate fitness classes and supervising group classes on a regular basis. It is expected that the role holder will involve themselves in the ongoing projects within the Fitness Centre, e.g. cardiac rehabilitation, sport specific circuits etc. Where appropriately qualified and experienced the role holder will be required to cover any other duties in the department as designated by the line manager. The role holder will be required to attend professional staff development sessions and wear a staff uniform at all times whilst at work. 8.5 Effective Decision Making The role holder will be required to make independent decisions regarding the instruction and supervision of users and clients in accordance with policy and procedures, promoting good practice and health and safety. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others The role holder has no direct responsibility for planning and organising resources, but must assist the Senior Fitness Facilities Supervisors in ensuring efficiency of service and effective service development. 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) The role holder will be expected to take initial decisions regarding issues of facility use and solve minor problems. For example, dealing with customer feedback and complaints, referring on to the appropriate person where necessary. 8.8 Analysis and Research The role holder will not normally be required to perform any analysis and research outside of their duties as an instructor to a client. 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands The role holder must be physically fit and will be required to instruct and perform heavy and demanding physical work, assist in the lifting of weights; perform physical exercise as an instructor or motivator. The role holder will be required to operate machinery and physically handle large pieces of sports equipment. 8.10 Work Environment The role holder will normally work within a stable environment, within the Fitness Centre. The role holder may occasionally be required to work within other sites within the Campuses. The role holder is expected to ensure health and safety compliance within all areas of work at all times.
8.11 Pastoral Care and Welfare The role holder will not be expected to deal with any formal pastoral care or welfare issues, except for those involved in instructing a client within the Fitness Centre. 8.12 Team Development The role holder will from time to time act as a mentor to new members of staff, promoting professionalism and good practice. 8.13 Teaching and Learning Support This is not a requirement of the role. 8.14 Knowledge and Experience Please see person specification 8.15 General To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you. To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all. To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Fitness Instructor Department: Facilities Management Criteria / Method of identification Qualifications: NVQ, CYQ or equivalent vocational qualification in a relevant area of fitness instruction or health and fitness Level 2 Proven Experience: Experience of working within a Fitness Centre environment or similar. Working as a fitness instructor or personal trainer Personal use of sports facilities and exercise equipment on a regular basis Personal participation in sport and exercise Computer Literacy and the ability to learn new systems quickly Form Delivering academic and service excellence: Dealing with customers in a customer facing role Knowledge of safe and effective method of fitness instructing. Health and safety legislation knowledge Managing self and inspiring others: Ability to effectively and clearly communicate Working together: Commitment to working as part of a team Customer care skills Organisational and stakeholder awareness: Flexible approach to work. Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Method of identification is where the selection panel will match the candidate s skills and abilities to the required criteria outlined (i.e. application form, interview, test).
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT SPORT AND RECREATION (THORNTON SITE) FITNESS INSTRUCTOR X4 POSTS 20 HOURS PER WEEK FIXED TERM CONTRACT UNTIL 31 ST AUGUST 2015 SALARY SCALE OS2 points 3 6, 14,631-15,765 per annum, pro rata. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University. HOURS OF WORK 20 hours per week to be worked flexibly over 7 days, not working more than 5 consecutive days. A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 137 hours per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 157 hours after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts. CLOSING DATE Completed application forms should be submitted via our online webrecruitment page no later than Tuesday 4 th November 2014, quoting reference number HR14041.