Manager of Health and Wellness

Job Description

The work involves responsibility for planning, organizing and supervising health and wellness programming in the City of Syracuse park facilities. Depending upon the organization and staffing patterns of the many facilities (recreation centers, schools, parks, senior citizens' residential complexes and mobile units) in which the programs and activities are implemented, the incumbent will both lead and instruct participant groups in projects and train other staff members to implement related activities. An employee in this class generally works independently, with only major program changes, problems and all budget changes being discussed with a Program Director. General supervision may be exercised over Recreation Leaders, Recreation Aides and contracted instructors when they are assigned to implementing health and wellness programs. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities

• Plans, researches, designs, supervises, recruits instructors for and, as needed, leads health and wellness programming such as, but not limited to, group fitness classes, yoga classes, dance fitness, youth fitness programs, senior fitness programs, health education sessions, sport conditioning classes, group walks and runs, bicycle rides and healthy nutrition programs.
• Promotes healthy living concepts and opportunities for physical activity within the Parks and Recreation department.
• Assesses programming needs for health and wellness.
• Develops ideas for classes and programs to fill needs and writes work plans which outline the steps followed to complete the health and wellness program.
• Trains and/or evaluates the competency of instructors charged with implementation of health and wellness programs by reviewing work plans, class designs and health workshops with them, and in leading discussions concerning basic teaching methods, safety procedures and emergency action plans.
• Plans, assigns, supervises and evaluates the work of health and wellness staff and class instructors.
• Teaches health and wellness programs or exercise classes to assigned groups of participants, as needed.
• Orders materials, supplies and equipment annually, and as needed.
• Researches supplies for price and availability and completes purchase orders.
• Manages program budget.
• May prepare written evaluations of health and wellness programs, highlighting effectiveness, popularity and cost and putting forth suggestions for improvement of future services.
• May perform administrative tasks, such as completing requisition forms for needed equipment and supplies, writing and updating inventory lists of equipment and supplies and compiling weekly, monthly and annual reports.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Good knowledge of health and wellness principles and healthy living practices as applied to planning, organizing and supervising a comprehensive health and wellness program in a municipal recreation department.
• Good knowledge of the fundamental principles of exercise science, fitness program management and general nutrition concepts.
• Ability to identify the objectives of a health and wellness program that is part of a larger planned community recreation program, and to plan and develop appropriate, accessible activities in order to meet the objectives identified.
• Ability to modify health, wellness and exercise programs to meet the needs of individual participants and to offer supports.
• Ability to respond to health-related emergencies in a fitness, wellness and exercise setting.
• Ability to organize health and wellness programs, including group exercise and fitness classes.
• Ability to give individual and group instructions in health and wellness, including leading safe and effective exercise and fitness classes and health education sessions.
• Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of others in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale, and to meet industry standards in fitness, health and wellness.
• Ability to train subordinates.
• Ability to stimulate and hold the interest of participants and establish cordial working relationships with groups and individuals.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in health education, wellness, kinesiology, exercise science or a closely related field; or,

2. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in recreation or physical education with a specialization in fitness, exercise, health education or wellness education; or,

3. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in any field and two (2) years of experience, or its part-time equivalent, in planning, organizing and teaching group exercise classes, wellness programs or health education sessions.

Special Necessary Requirement

1. Possession of a valid AED/CPR Certification

2. Possession of a valid certification from an accredited fitness/wellness organization (ACSM, NSCA or ACE).

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan