Group Exercise Instructor

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 04-27-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Athletics & Recreation Department's mission at UC Santa Cruz is to provide a wide variety of professional programs and physical activities that promote and enhance community, academic success, leadership, lifelong wellness, and experiential learning. Our goal is to enrich the educational courses. experience by encouraging comprehensive health & wellness through physical activity, building community, and cultivating leadership. The programs provided by Athletics & Recreation are designed to serve UC Santa Cruz Banana Slug students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and local community members.

More information can be found at: https://goslugs.com

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Recreation for Fitness & Wellness, the Group Exercise Instructor is responsible for safely and effectively leading group exercise classes for UCSC students and Slug Recreation members. The incumbent assists in program administration, manages class-related facilities and equipment, provides excellent customer service, participates in program marketing efforts, and completes occasional training and continuing education requirements. The Group Exercise Instructor assists in the instruction of non-credited recreational or sports activities for participants of all ages. The incumbent develops knowledge, skills and experience in recreational sports activities.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: By Agreement $36-$63 per class-session. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: This position is not eligible for benefits

Schedule Information:

• Part- time, Variable
• Percentage of Time: By Agreement 15%, 6 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri, weekends as necessary
• Shift Includes: Day, Evening & weekends as necessary

Employee Classification: Limited appointment

Job End Date: 06/30/2027, with the possibility of extension

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: RECR PRG LEADER 2 BYA (004133)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

70% - Exercise Leadership

• Design, choreograph, and lead group exercise classes in class-formats for which relevant certifications are held, according to current industry standards for safety and effectiveness, including proper warm-ups, cooldowns, and exercise/movement progressions.
• Teach, demonstrate, and promote proper safe and effective class-specific exercise techniques and forms.
• Arrive on-site at the classroom, in time to complete the full set-up and preparation of the classroom and equipment by no later than 5 minutes before the class's scheduled start-time.
• Facilitate pre-class participant check-in procedures prior to the start of each class session.
• Begin and end class sessions punctually (i.e. at their scheduled and advertised start and end times).
• Provide thorough introductions and instructions to participants prior to the beginning of each class session.
• Maintain a welcoming, positive, encouraging, inclusive, and non-intimidating classroom atmosphere.
• Select and play appropriate music (no explicit lyrics or potentially offensive/device/controversial subject matter) at appropriate volume-levels (<90db).
• Provide participants with safe, appropriate, and effective exercise modifications when needed or requested.
• Frequently update and modify class design, choreography, and music.

15% - Program Administration

• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings, including annual all-staff training in mid-September, quarterly one-on-one check-in meetings with supervisor, and annual one-on-one performance-review in July.
• Complete and submit quarterly self-evaluations and/or peer-evaluations.
• Read and respond to all communications from supervisor and co-workers in a timely manner.
• Promote, enforce, and adhere to all program and facility policies (i.e. class capacity limits, late-admission restrictions, facility access requirements, membership requirements, etc.).

5% - Facility & Equipment Management

• Return equipment and supplies to their proper condition, storage-space, and organization prior to the end of each class session's room reservation.
• Return classrooms to clean, organized, and secure condition after each session.
• Report any unsafe facility and/or equipment conditions or repair-needs immediately.
• Learn and consistently exercise proper use and care of facilities and equipment.
• Instruct participants on, and ensure they exercise the proper use and care of facilities and equipment.

5% - Customer Service

• Greet participants warmly, enthusiastically, and by name (smiling, eye contact, etc.).
• Communicate participant issues, concerns, and feedback to supervisor immediately.
• Accurately answer questions regarding admission fees, sales procedures, class schedules, facility locations/layouts, and program information sources.

5% - Marketing

• Make pre- and/or post-class announcements regarding program information (i.e. new policies, schedule changes, upcoming promotions, etc.).
• Participate in annual CORNUCOPIA promotional event in late-September.
• Participate in demonstration classes when available.
• Update biographical and class-description information on website when appropriate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a current professional certification from 1 or more of the following categories: A Group Exercise/Fitness Instructor certification from an NCCA-accredited provider (example: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NAFTA, NATA, or comparable) AND/OR A 200hr Yoga Instructor certification from a Yoga Alliance-recognized school/agency. AND/OR A current format-specific group instruction certification or license from a nationally-recognized fitness organization (examples: Zumba, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, Cardio Kickboxing, TRX, Barre, or comparable)

• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.

• High school diploma or equivalent certification and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Ability to lead safe, effective, and enjoyable group exercise classes in one or more exercise formats offered by our Athletics & Recreation FitLife program (examples: Cardio Kickboxing, Core Conditioning, HIIT/Bootcamp, Indoor Cycling, Mat Pilates, TRX, Zumba, Yoga, or comparable)
• Minimum of 3 months of experience leading and/or co-leading group exercise classes with adult participants.
• Ability to effectively relate to and be sensitive to the needs of a diverse population of participants in regards to age, ethnicity, sexual-orientation, physical ability, and exercise experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and courteously with a diverse group of individuals. Excellent time management skills that will ensure punctuality to all work-related events.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional athletic environment.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Active listening skills.
• Creative thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and employ reasoning skills.
• Client service minded with the ability to adapt to the needs of clients.
• Ability to effectively use computer-based communication, scheduling, and productivity services such as web-browsers, Gmail, Google Calendars, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a currently-valid professional certification or degree from 2 or more of the following categories:
  • A Group Exercise/Fitness Instructor certification from an NCCA-accredited provider (example: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NAFTA, NETA, or comparable).
  • A 200hr Yoga Instructor certification from a Yoga Alliance-recognized school/agency.
  • A current format-specific group instruction certification or license from a nationally-recognized fitness organization (examples: Zumba, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, Cardio Kickboxing, TRX, Barre, or comparable).
• Knowledge of campus policies and procedures.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience consistently (at least once per week) leading group exercise classes with a wide diversity of participants.
• Ability to speak Spanish fluently.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Current format-specific group exercise instructional certification (i.e. Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Barre, Kickboxing, etc.), Group Exercise/Fitness Instructor certification from an NCCA-accredited organization (i.e. ACE, AFAA, NCCPT, NETA, etc.), and/or college degree in a fitness-related field (i.e. Kinesiology, Physical Education, Dance, etc.)
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Will be required to wear a University provided uniform.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.