Adult Recreation Coordinator

Location: John W. Lindsay YMCA
Program: Health, Fitness, and Recreation Department
Position Status: Full-Time
Compensation: $45,000 – $49,000; commensurate with experience

There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem – our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.

With us at their side, they can Shine On.

As part of your total compensation:

• Complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
• Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
• Discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
• Three (3) weeks’ vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
• Comprehensive benefits package and pension
• Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services

About the role:

The Adult Recreation Coordinator is a key role within the YMCA, responsible for leadership and oversight of group fitness and gymnasium spaces, equipment, and programming options in the John W. Lindsay YMCA. Through leadership and collaboration with Group Fitness volunteers and staff, Specialty Program Instructors, and other adult recreation volunteers, the Adult Recreation Coordinator supports member experience, engagement, and retention by ensuring participants have a clean, safe, organized, supportive, and inclusive environment in which to pursue their health, fitness, and recreation goals. They champion the YMCA’s values and promote the YMCA internally and externally. This role is accountable for the achievement of the YMCA’s operational and financial goals relating to group fitness and adult recreation.

In this role, you will:

• Ensure the smooth operation of Group Fitness and Adult Recreation programs (registered and drop-in).
• Ensure a high level of YMCA member satisfaction, attendance, smooth waitlist management, and member retention relating to group fitness and adult recreation programming.
• Ensure group fitness and adult recreation programs and schedules are readily available, easy to find, and up to date for all YMCA members and staff well in advance of registration dates.
• Lead the recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of group fitness instructors, specialty program instructors, and recreation volunteers, ensuring a diverse range of leaders that reflect the communities we serve.
• Model and champion The Y Way behavioral standards.
• Ensure all YMCA child safeguarding and group fitness and adult recreation certification standards are current for both staff and volunteers.
• Lead programs, including group fitness classes, workshops, certifications, or other programs (if certified to do so).
• Respond to member questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure YMCA group fitness studios, the gymnasium, associated storage closets, and group fitness/recreation-related equipment are clean and maintained in keeping with safety requirements.
• Follow Association, industry, provincial, and occupational health and safety requirements regarding safe work practices, safety reporting, routine inspections, and monitoring of YMCA program facilities.
• Develop marketing materials such as posters, facility TV ads, and social media posts to promote group fitness classes, adult recreation programs, and certification courses.
• Enhance member engagement through communication of program guides and YMCA group fitness and adult recreation offerings.
• Support the Program Director and other YMCA Leadership team members in gathering and analyzing analytics for group fitness and adult recreation program attendance.
• Provide excellent service to YMCA members and visitors to our facility, including:
  • Greeting members within 5 feet and acknowledging members within 10 feet.
  • Acknowledging members who are waiting for service and asking questions to determine what they need, then providing support however you can.
  • Watching for members who appear to need assistance and proactively offering help, especially if they look confused or in distress around the facility or in their department areas.
• Take ownership and pride in maintaining clean and tidy spaces, ensuring staff and volunteers complete all cleaning checklists as part of daily routines.
• Ensure program equipment is returned to where it belongs and that the program space is clean and tidy.
• When circulating through common areas, clean or tidy up anything that needs it: garbage, towels, water on floors or counters, open locker doors, etc.
• If a cleaning issue cannot be immediately resolved, report it to the facilities team, supervisor, or cleaning manager.
• Establish member connections and relationships and ensure participants are obeying YMCA etiquette on safe equipment use and attitude in the facility.

Education and Skills Qualifications:

• Current Personal Training or Group Fitness certification through the YMCA, Nova Scotia Fitness Association, canfitpro, CSEP, or other recognized organization.
• Current CPR Level C and Intermediate Workplace First Aid certification.
• 1-2 years' experience working in the fitness industry or other form of movement instruction (i.e. coach) preferred.
• Kinesiology degree (or similar schooling) preferred but not required.
• Strong customer service, with demonstrated ability to build relationships and establish rapport with clients.
• Experience generating internal and external leads and building a business/clientele.
• Experience managing others (staff and/or volunteers) an asset.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Bilingual or multilingual is an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated, with strong attention to detail.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

To apply:

Please apply online at https://ymcahfx.ca/workwithus/ by February 23, 2026.

Please note that all successful candidates are required to provide:

• A Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Register Check (less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
• Valid Intermediate First Aid and CPR-C certification

Please note that background checks are reviewed on an individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.

At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve our mission. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.