The Wellness Specialist will develop and implement a comprehensive wellness program, coordinating with other departments at Next Door and Child Care Partnership sites.
Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks
- Lead a comprehensive wellness program, focusing on stress reduction and healthy lifestyles.
- Coordinate, plan, and facilitate health and fitness activities and programs for employees.
- Plan and implement classes, speakers, seminars, personal training, and fitness assessments that promote healthy lifestyles.
- Coordinate and facilitate employee groups to address issues such as stress, work/life balance, raising children, mental health concerns, etc.
- Develop promotion and publicity plans for wellness and fitness programs throughout the Child Care Partnership sites.
- Work to develop and manage community partnerships between Child Care Partnership sites and community-based wellness focused groups.
- Work with staff to develop programming that reflects the staff’s wellness interests and needs.
- Collaborate with other departments to provide wellness support for students and families.
- Compile statistical summaries of participant data, class attendance, and equipment inventories to ensure proper detailed program evaluation.
- Provides educational presentations and training programs.
The Wellness Specialist must be able to work independently on the development of wellness activities including researching best practices, yet work collaboratively with the team to implement it. The Wellness Specialist must have the ability to travel between Child Care Partnership sites on a regular basis.
Accountability and Performance Requirement
All staff members are accountable for knowing and performing the responsibilities associated with their individual position in an efficient and effective manner, understanding that each of us plays an integral role in the success of our mission. All staff will support the agency mission, vision, standards of conduct/code of ethics and strategic directions and support administrative decisions. This must demonstrated by maintaining a positive work environment, and by behaving and communicating in an appropriate manner with children, families, coworkers, supervisors and the public while achieving performance expectations.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in health education, nutrition, exercise science, physical education or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Previous experience working in a nonprofit or community-based organization.
- Previous experience working with young children preferred.
- Other relevant wellness certifications such as yoga or Pilates training, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction are preferred.
- The incumbent must have access to a personal vehicle to use on a daily basis, maintain a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance with liability limits of $300,000 (bodily injury) and $25,000 (property damage for each occurrence).
Special Position Requirements
- Ability to work cooperatively with people at all levels with respect.
- Able to implement programs to comply with federal Drug-Free Workplace requirements.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Understanding of group dynamics and ability to facilitate groups.
- Ability to understand complexities/structural barriers that relate to wellness access/equity.
- Engage with others with empathy and cultural humility.
- Commitment to building relationships with individuals.
- Understanding of the complexities involved in people impacted by trauma.
Work Requirements
- Other duties as assigned.
Safety and Health
Next Door is committed to providing a safe work environment and fostering the well-being and health of its employees. An essential part of all employees’ job is the development of safe working practices and the observance of safety rules, including:
- Following safety warnings and directions at all times.
- Using personal safety devices when required.
- Reporting any unsafe conditions to their supervisor.
- Following process for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.
- Reporting unsupervised children, after ensuring child’s safety.
- Implement active supervision practices at all times, including transitions.
Physical Demands
- Primarily active work; occasionally lifting, holding or moving up to 50 lbs.
- A biannual physical exam, drug screen and TB test are required as a condition of initial employment and continued employment.
- Must be able to physically interact with children, including bending, kneeling, sitting on the floor, climbing and walking.
Physical Activity
Bending, stooping, kneeling, walking/transporting, handling, feeling, reaching, climbing, balancing, crouching, talking and speaking clearly, hearing conversation level, smelling and seeing.
Work Environment
- Mainly classroom/office setting and travel to various sites for meetings.
Personal/Physiological
- Ability to make frequent, significant decisions to understand and react to the employees and candidates.
- Ability to respond quickly and competently to an emergency or crisis situation in order to keep children and staff safe.