POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Program Director, the Martial Arts Instructor will plan, lead, and evaluate progressive martial arts classes for youth participants, consistent with approved curriculum, YMCA policies, and recognized martial arts safety practices. The Martial Arts Instructor will build positive relationships with program participants and ensure safety, well-being, and involvement. The instructor helps nurture participant self-esteem, confidence, and core values.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Teaches martial arts to elementary-aged children.
- Demonstrates techniques and procedures for martial arts curriculum.
- Plans and delivers structured, progressive lessons with appropriate warm-up, skill development, conditioning, and cool-down components.
- Modifies instruction for participant age, experience, physical ability, and learning needs while maintaining safety.
- Observes students' skills to define students' progress or to make suggestions.
- Provides clear, constructive feedback and maintains attendance and participant-progress records.
- Maintains a clean and safe workspace.
- Inspects training equipment and practice areas before use and reports unsafe conditions.
- Provides a safe and enjoyable environment for members and their children.
- Greets every parent and child as they arrive and depart and follows Y sign-in/sign-out procedures.
- Represents the YMCA and interacts with members in a friendly, engaging and professional manner.
- Communicates in a professional and positive manner to parents, guests, and other associates.
- Maintains a safe environment by directly supervising children throughout the program area and never leaving a child unattended.
- Uses age-appropriate positive behavior-management techniques and maintains professional boundaries with youth.
- Follows standards and policies as explained in the Tampa YMCA Employee Handbook.
- Enforces all rules and makes effective decisions to assure participant safety and security.
- Responds appropriately to injuries and emergencies and completes required incident reporting.
- Provides direction to assistant instructors or volunteers when assigned.
- Attends staff meetings and training programs, as required.
- Exhibits behaviors and attitudes consistent with the YMCA Mission and Association policies.
- Applies YMCA policies and procedures, including medical, disciplinary, child abuse prevention, and emergency procedures.
Safety and Risk Management
- Adhere to all Federal, State, and local safety regulations, as well as all YMCA policies and procedures related to the safety, health, and welfare of members, participants, guests, and staff.
- Ensure that all Tampa YMCA standards, leading practices, and policies are implemented and consistently followed, including those related to emergency procedures, child abuse prevention, and appropriate supervision.
- Adhere to policies and procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising participants and
boundaries with participants when applicable.
- Ensure implementation of and follows all training requirements including risk management and child abuse
prevention training in addition to ensuring proper reporting of all incidents/accidents according to risk
management procedures.
- Maintain a safe and healthy environment at all times, including performing daily safety checks of program
areas, equipment, and supplies.
- Maintain proper records, including certifications, meetings and trainings.
- Maintain an emphasis on safety in all areas of responsibility as they relate to members and staff.
- Adhere to risk management training requirements including child abuse prevention.
- Front desk personnel-ensure member or association guest are properly signed in and signed out, ensures
only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc.
- Contribute to creating and maintaining a safe, positive, and respectful environment for members, guests, and
staff.
- Promptly report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior, as well as policy violations, following established
association procedures.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Experience Required:
- Minimum one year of martial arts teaching or assistant-teaching experience in a structured class setting required;
two or more years preferred.
- One or more years working or volunteering with elementary aged children preferred.
- Knowledge of youth-development stages, age-appropriate instruction, and positive behavior management
preferred.
- Must be at least 18 years of age; high school diploma or equivalent required.
- Ability to demonstrate safe technique, explain concepts clearly, lead mixed-ability groups, and maintain class
control required.
Certifications/Trainings Required:
- Must obtain within 30 days of employment and maintain current certifications in CPR, AED and First Aid.
- Current First Degree Black Belt (1st Dan) or higher in a recognized martial arts discipline required. Rank must be
verifiable through a recognized school, association, federation, or governing body.
- Preferred: Formal martial arts instructor/teaching certification or credential issued by a recognized martial arts
school, association, federation, or governing body.
- Preferred: Current affiliation/good standing with the organization that issued the instructor's rank or teaching
credential.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job includes, but not limited to:
- The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise
program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended
periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and authorized work phone/smart device.
- Ability to instruct and observe participants during program activities.
- The employee frequently is required to see, observe, and hear all participants, and make sound judgments
and decisions.
- Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including, but not limited to, leading class, walking,
standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.
- Ability to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
- Hear noises and distress signals in the program environment, including in the classroom and anywhere around
the zone of responsibility.
- Must have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme humidity/dampness, heat
and cold.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
- This position requires reliable transportation and willing to travel, if needed.
- This position may require availability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as
needed.
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Part Time Benefits Summary:
- Free Individual YMCA Membership and discount on family membership
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through BayCare Behavioral Services (phone and online)
- Start a 403 (b) smart savings account through YMCA Benefits on day one of employment (optional)
- Tickets at Work is the leading Corporate Entertainment Benefits provider, offering exclusive discounts, special offers and access to preferred seating and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, hotels and much more.
- 20% off program fees (swim lessons, youth sports, summer camp and more)
- 30% off personal training
Association Summary:
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is a top-rated '4-star' Charity Navigator and Guidestar 'Gold' rated non-profit charitable organization for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Join a cause-driven association focused on empowering every individual in our community to reach their healthiest and most fulfilled life. Learn more about the Tampa YMCA at www.tampaymca.org.
- 14 Family Center Ys, 65-acre outdoor adventure camp, Community Learning Center, two program centers, 27 afterschool sites, 18 Early Head Start sites
- Largest youth development and health & wellness provider in the region
- 300,000+ community members served
- 1,600+ staff members
- 1000+ volunteers
- $50MM in revenue
- An independent 501(c) 3, locally-governed and managed
Located in sunny Florida, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA offers an ideal location with beautiful weather affording a desirable setting for an active outdoor lifestyle year-round, is close to many beaches and theme parks and Florida is one of very few states that has no state income tax.
The Tampa Y is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.