Gentle Exercise Facilitator

Part-time, Casual, $15.50 per hour

At Community Support Connections, we wake up each morning energized about the difference we make in the lives of our clients; people who could be your parents, grandparents, friends, or neighbours. Working with hundreds of amazing volunteers, donors, and community partners, we provide a wide range of community supports for older adults and people with different abilities to help them live at home with independence and dignity - something we all deserve. We are truly caring and client-centered, and are constantly innovating; looking for new and better ways to provide the best care and supports possible.

Passion and commitment permeate everything we do. Driven by our values, we treat our clients, volunteers, donors, and each other, with dignity and respect. We recognize that diversity is the foundation for understanding the needs of our stakeholders. We believe the best way to serve our clients and volunteers is to create an environment and culture that empowers our staff to be as productive and happy as possible.

If what we do resonates with your core values then we want to hear from you!

The Role : Working closely with the Fall Prevention and Exercise Team, our Gentle Exercise Facilitators or ‘GEFs’, lead older adults and those with different abilities in safe, gentle exercise classes throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. Our Registered Kinesiologists train you in the delivery of the SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) exercise routine, and provide ongoing support to ensure you can adapt the class to meet the needs of our program participants, which helps our clients prevent falls! You work collaboratively with our community host locations to ensure the best experience for participants. Travel throughout Waterloo Region is required. Opportunities to provide one-on-one SMART in client homes is also an option with additional training, which will provide additional hours of work.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, lead and administer gentle exercise classes in a variety of settings (group and 1:1, retirement and community settings, in person and/or virtually)
• Provide back-up coverage for open classes as required, in person and/or virtually
• Promote senior fitness in the community, distribute marketing materials as required
• Ensure health and safety of all clients attending exercise classes
• Assist with data entry and keep client files up to date
• Provide other organization-wide supports as required

Education/Qualifications

• 1 year related professional experience or, an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred

• Experience working with older adults, adults with disabilities or in an assisted living environment an asset

• Experience teaching group fitness classes preferred

• Education in Kinesiology and/or Applied Health Sciences or related education (PTA, PSW, Recreational Therapy) an asset

• Current Emergency First Aid/CPR A Certificate (or be willing to acquire by time of employment)Valid Driver’s License and daily access to a safe, licensed and reliable vehicle for business related travel

• Proficiency in additional languages an asset

• The successful applicant will:

• Have excellent time management and organization skills

• Will work independently, but seek advice when required

• Have the ability to take and give verbal and written direction and follow through to completion of task

• Be capable of regular and considerable physical effort (including lifting up to 50 pounds and carrying for short distances)

• Respect privacy and confidentiality

• Be dependable, responsive, and trustworthy

• Be compassionate and caring

• Have excellent communication and active listening skills

• Remain calm in unexpected situations

• Set and maintain clear boundaries

Working Hours and Environment

• Flexible working hours, based on your availability to teach approximately. 5-12 classes per week
• Must be available in mornings, five days/week
• Willing and able to work occasionally from home during the pandemic (i.e. teaching virtual exercise classes)

If this role sounds like the opportunity you have been looking for to challenge yourself, we would love to hear from you!

Please submit your resume and cover letter, clearly identifying the unique attributes you bring to the position.

We are happy to accommodate the needs of qualified applicants in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility with Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants should make their needs known in advance.

Job Types : Part-time, Casual

Salary : From $15.50 per hour

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations: Community Support Connections has a comprehensive COVID-19 Policy and Safety Plan; all appropriate precautions will be taken during the recruitment process and upon hire.

License/Certification:

• Driver's License and daily access to a reliable vehic