Program Instructors/Leaders
Program Instructors/Leaders main role is to deliver and lead programs within their community. Program Leaders are involved with programs such as day camps, swimming, music, cooking, and so much more! They are the front line leaders of recreation in any municipality.
Job titles may vary by organizations.
Aquatic Instructor
Aquatic Instructors are responsible for lesson management aquatic programs. This includes planning and preparing assigned programs; instructing assigned classes; evaluating participants; record keeping and public relations. Aquatic Instructors also ensure participants are taught according to safety and skill standards.
Common Job Titles
- Aquafit Instructor
- Aquatic Leader
Typical Job Responsibilities
- Monitors day to day operation of a moderate size group of lifeguard instructors
- Staff supervision and feedback
- Swim instruction, lifeguarding, facility maintenance and emergency medical care and documentation
- Facilitating safe community recreation through integration, inclusion and participation.
- Assists in the development, implementation and promotion of aquatics programs and special events
- Providing excellent customer service
- Teaching and evaluating all age groups and all levels of swimming.
Salary Range
Hourly salary range: $23.00 – $30.00 (2020 range)
Required Skills, Training and Education
Education, Experience & Training
- Completion of Grade 10
- Current Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Award
- Eligibility to obtain the current Life Saving Society Canada Instructor Award or equivalent
- Over 3 months of experience
Skills
- Ability to be flexible with instructional techniques.
- Ability to ensure safety of participants and prevent accidents.
- Skills and knowledge as per Canadian Red Cross and Royal Life Saving Society standards.
- Adaptability – willingness to be flexible in a changing work environment
- Relationship Building – establishes and maintains respectful and cooperative working relationships.
- Effective Communications – communicates effectively with others.
- Problem Solving – recognizes and acts to resolve problems.
- Customer Focus – provides excellent service to both internal and external customers.
Source: District of Saanich 2020 Job posting
Lifeguard
Lifeguards perform skilled life guarding work including observing and exercising control over the activities of patrons in supervised swimming areas of the aquatic facility; rescuing bathers in distress and administering first aid and/or resuscitation as required. Related duties include cleaning and light maintenance tasks.
Typical Job Responsibilities
Major Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Lifeguards all swims in an alert and conscientious manner ensuring the safety of patrons using the facility.
- Follows and executes facility Emergency Procedures using spine board, oxygen therapy equipment and AED unit as required. Follows established procedures.
- Completes related administrative forms and records, including Time Sheets, Log Books etc as required.
- Provides professional and courteous customer service to patrons. Enforces facility rules and policies in a positive manner. Ensures lane ropes and equipment is set up for the session.
- Cleans and disinfects washrooms, change rooms, showers and other areas of aquatic facilities and fitness facility. Performs janitorial and cleaning tasks as required.
- Works flexible and varied hours, including evenings, weekends, and split shifts, as may be necessary, to meet the requirements of the position.
- Reports accidents or injuries immediately to the Aquatic Coordinator and completes Incident Reports and or Work Safe BC reports.
- Detects and reports any hazardous conditions, practices and behaviors in the workplace.
- Assists with themed swims and other special events.
- Participates in regular in-service training.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Salary Range
Monthly salary range: $4,077 – $4,774/month (Pay Grade 13) (2019 Rates)
Source: City of Burnaby Job Posting
Stories
Required Skills, Training and Education
Education & Certificates
- Completion of Grade 10
- Current Life Saving Society National Lifeguard Service Award (Pool Option)
- CPR Level C
- Workplace BC Level One First Aid
Skills & Experience
- Exercises courtesy, tact, diplomacy and persuasion with the general public.
- Ability to communicate well with all age groups ranging from preschoolers to seniors.
- Ability to work as a team player within the department and overall organization.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in the interpretation and application of related regulations policies and procedures.
- Practices and maintains skills and re-certifies awards prior to their expiry dates.
Source: Williams Lake Job Posting
Program Instructor
Program Instructor positions can vary depending on what you can teach! Below is an example of a General Instructor postings.
Sports Instructor – must have the ability to provide leadership for a variety of recreation programs and activities. Applicants must have the ability to plan and lead structured programs with a focus on a variety of sports skills in a recreational setting. Level 1 or 2 Coaching certification is considered an asset.
Art and Craft Instructor – must have the ability to provide leadership for a variety of recreation programs and activities. Applicants must have the ability to plan and lead structured programs with a focus on arts and crafts skills in a recreational setting.
Dance Instructor – must have the ability to assist in providing leadership for a variety of recreation programs and activities. Applicants must be able to instruct a variety of dance styles (ballet, jazz, hip hop). Previous instructional dance courses or experience is considered an asset.
Gymnastics Instructor -must have the ability to provide leadership for a variety of recreation programs and activities. Applicants must have the ability to plan and lead structured programs with a focus on a variety of gymnastics skills in a recreational setting. Previous gymnastics coaching experience and a minimum of a Level 1 Coaching certification is considered an asset.
Skating Instructor – must have the ability to provide leadership for a variety of recreation programs and activities. Applicants must have the ability to plan and lead structured programs with a focus on leading, participating and instructing skating program participants. Experience as a skating instructor; and Food Safe, are considered assets.
Source: Township of Langley 2020 Job Posting
Typical Job Responsibilities
- Provide guidance and assistance and performing general leadership duties according to the nature and requirements of the program
- Assisting a superior in planning assigned recreational activities, ensuring for the safe and proper use of equipment and facilities
- Strong interpersonal skills, be well organized and able to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with all levels of internal and external contacts
Salary Range
Hourly salary range: $22.09 – $25.82 per hour (5 steps, 2020 rates) plus 13% in lieu of benefits.
Source: Township of Langley 2020 Job Posting
Required Skills, Training and Education
Education
- Completion of Grade 10
- Preference in sports or Early Childhood Education and some related instructional experience in recreational environment or equivalent combination of training and experience
Certifications (Assets)
- National Coaching Certification Program
- HIGH FIVE
- Fundamental Movement Skills
Skills
- Sound knowledge of program content of assigned programs and activities
- Working knowledge of community recreation principles
- Ability to organize, lead, participate in, assist and/or independently instruct program participants
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants, volunteers, recreation staff and the general public, as well as prepare and maintain records and reports related to the work
Source: Township of Langley 2020 Job Posting
Program Leader
Program Leaders instruct groups and individuals in arts and crafts; Demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques; Plan and carry out recreational, fitness and sports activities; Schedule activities, keep logs, maintain records and prepare reports; Assemble supplies, sports and game equipment; Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities to ensure safety and provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
Source: Job Bank – Recreation Program Leader posting
Typical Job Responsibilities
- Follows Customer Service Guidelines to ensure the Delivery of Outstanding Service.
- Assists in organizing age appropriate activities and plans daily activities.
- Instructs and leads planned activities teaching and developing valuable life skills.
- Assists in evaluating program content and participant satisfaction.
- Ensures safety of participants enrolled in activities and to advise the supervisor of safety concerns.
- Arranges required equipment for programs.
- Communicates effectively, keeping accurate records, and making reports as required.
- Assists Recreation Program Supervisor/Coordinator in related program duties and promotion of programs.
Salary Range
Hourly salary range: $18.00 – $22.00 per hour (2020 rate)
Required Skills, Training and Education
- An original Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check issued within the past 6 months that is satisfactory to the employer will be required before starting in the position.
- Completion of Grade 10 or currently enrolled in Grade 10
- Minimum 2 years experience working with and leading a wide range of recreation programs
- Experience, training, & qualifications related to specific programming needs
- First Aid Certificate minimum 8 hour course
- BC Driver’s License “Class 5” preferred
- BC Driver’s License “Class 4” preferred
- Relevant experience qualifications and/or certification (Provincial Standards where applicable)
- Previous experience working in Recreation or a relevant work environment is an asset
Source: City of Squamish job posting
Summer Camp Leader
Summer Camp Leaders provide direct leadership, supervision and instruction to the day camp participants. They also are involved in the Planning, promoting and implementing age-appropriate activities (i.e. arts and crafts, games, out-trips) that fit with the weekly theme while providing a safe and engaging environment.
Source: 2020 West Point Grey Community Centre Association Posting
Common Job Titles:
- Day Camp Leader
- Camp Counselor
- Sport Leader
Typical Job Responsibilities
- Working in a team environment to ensure all participants have a positive experience.
- Assists in the creation of activities and schedules for camps.
- Monitoring and maintaining the integrity, appearance, and safety of all equipment and surroundings.
- Ensuring a safe environment for all and overseeing sign-in and sign-out of camp participants.
- Coaching and instructing activities and lessons with enthusiasm, instructing based on objectives, and adjusting activities based on age, skill and athletic levels.
- Demonstrating leadership, energy, and enthusiasm to the teaching environment each day.
- Ensuring that appropriate skills are being taught to participants and progression through levels takes place.
- Demonstrating support to all other leaders, as needed.
- Recording and communicating feedback, strengths, and weaknesses with supervisors, to ensure important information is being communicated.
- Providing exceptional customer service.
- Other camp related tasks as assigned.
Source: 2020 Richmond Olympic Oval Job Posting
Salary Range
Hourly salary range: $15.00 – $16.50 per hour
Source: 2020 West Point Grey Community Centre Association Posting
Required Skills, Training and Education
- Current First Aid/CPR certification
- Experience working in a day camp or related setting as a leader or volunteer
- Strong knowledge of age-appropriate activities and out trips for children ages 6-12 years
- Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, leadership and problem solving skills
- Familiarity with working within a budget and tracking expenses
- Demonstrated administrative skills in program planning, word processing and reporting
- Ability to work independently and within a team
- Ability and willingness to work within a culturally, economically and socially diverse community
Source: 2020 West Point Grey Community Centre Association Posting
Water Safety Ambassador
Water Safety Ambassadors play an important role in drowning prevention and water safety public education. These positions work onsite at any number of the beaches in the Region, engaging public and promoting education on safety supervision to parents/guardians while children are in, on and around the water. Additionally, these positions monitor and track beach activities. These are great opportunities for those who are passionate about water safety enjoy working with people and love spending time outdoors!
Source: WorkBC- Job posting for Water Safety Ambassador
Typical Job Responsibilities
- Engaging public and promoting education on safety supervision to parents/guardians while children are in, on and around the water
- Monitor and track beach activities.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to act with tact and diplomacy
- Demonstrated ability to de‐escalate conflict with members of the public
- Demonstrated ability to maintain logs and records and to communicate via email
- Ability to work autonomously and effectively with minimal supervision
- Ability to work outdoors and have reasonable physical fitness to meet the demands of the position
Salary Range
Hourly salary: $17.96 per hour
Source: WorkBC- Job posting for Water Safety Ambassador
Required Skills, Training and Education
Training
- Experience in working with the public and enforcing company policy and standards
- Bronze Cross
- Standard First Aid
- WHMIS certification
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License (with no restrictions) and satisfactory Driver’s Abstract may be required for some locations
Source: WorkBC- Job posting for Water Safety Ambassador