Fitness Recreation Specialist

JOB LOCATION

30 Del Mar Cir Aurora, Colorado 80011-8256

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The City of Aurora seeks a dynamic Recreation Specialist to lead our Fitness and Wellness program. You will directly supervise a team of instructors while shaping the health and vitality of our community through innovative programming. Our Core4 values—Integrity, Customer Service, Respect, and Professionalism—guide every interaction within our recreation centers. We expect you to live these values daily by providing exceptional service to patrons and fostering a respectful environment for staff. This role requires a balance of administrative oversight and hands-on fitness instruction to ensure program excellence. Your expertise will maintain high standards in equipment safety and class quality. Successful candidates demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and ethical leadership. Join us to make a lasting impact on the wellness of Aurora residents.

The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, April 19, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.  

The hiring rate for this role is: $50,968 - $63,710/annually.

Position overview: 

The City of Aurora is seeking a highly motivated and talented individual for a career in the Recreation Division. The Recreation Specialist for the Fitness and Wellness program will implement a variety of Fitness programming and operations within a recreation center environment.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct supervision of approximately 20 variable hour fitness instructors
• Recruit, interview, select, train, evaluate, schedule instructors
• Provide daily guifdance and problem solving
• Time approval for variable hour fitness staff
• Verify and track instructor certifications – ongoing as they expire
• Responsible to substitute, develop, program and implement registration/drop-in classes
• Will be required to teach/personal train a minimum of 3 to 5 classes/sessions per week
• Maintain weekly schedules for fitness classes
• Communicate with center supervisor regarding programming and bookings
• Develop, program and implement fee-based classes
• Coordinate personal training, massage, and reflexology
• Program maintenance includes schedule and book classes in the registration system, set fees in compliance with COA's policies, follow budget guidelines, track registrations and attendance, cancelations and profit/loss for classes
• Perform annual fee evaluations
• Identify trends and program new activities
• Respond to customer concerns and suggestions, either face to face, by telephone or email
• Promote programs
• Evaluate classes using surveys for outcome measures
• Coordinate with participants and trainer to set up fitness assessments
• Collaborate and maintain working relationships with community partners for program development
• Research and recommends purchase of weight room equipment and other fitness supplies
• Maintain daily fitness equipment, flat screens and schedules quarterly maintenance
• Daily sanitation of the weight room that may include wiping, sweeping, and mopping
• Maintain and conduct weight room orientations
• Work the weight room floor, interact with customers, promote programs and provide guidance for participants as needed
• Assist with front desk coverage and opening and closing of facility when needed
• Assist with center sanitation general cleaning duties as needed.
• Manage emergency situations such as 911 calls, employee accidents, ADA issues
• Maintain certification of CPR/AED/First Aid

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in sports medicine, kinesiology, exercise science, or related field

Experience:

• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in recreation administration, athletic training, sports management, or other related discipline

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of recreation program development and administration
• Up-to-date knowledge of fitness programming and trends
• Knowledge of personal computers and related software applications
• Knowledge of fitness and gym equipment, best practice for its operation, and related safety precautions

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal and managerial skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to teach multiple formats of fitness classes
• Mentoring and training transfer

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens
• Ability to respond to customer inquiries and complaints in a timely manner
• Communicate effectively and professionally in writing
• Coordinate, schedule, and instruct recreation programs
• Motivate staff, create a positive work environment, and hold staff accountable for achieving measurable goals and developing their skills

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor from accredited institution
• CPR/AED certification

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Heavy physical work that involves moving no more than 100 pounds with or without assistance at a time, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Frequent lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping
• Clear vision to facilitate fitness programming and ensure safety compliance
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with students, families, COA employees and citizens
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of fitness equipment, computer keyboard, carts, and moveable shelving

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; requires offsite work at various recreational facilities, public buildings and/or parks; work both indoors and outdoors in varying types of weather

Equipment Used:

• Operates standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, calculators, and registration and POS systems
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, etc.) in the course of their employment
• Operates fitness machines and uses exercise equipment common to gymnasiums and recreational/sports facilities
• Must own a smartphone and be able to utilize smartphone applications for necessary communication and program updates

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.