Student Employment

WellWorks proudly provides students with an opportunity to combine academics with experiential learning. Several student positions are available at WellWorks. Watch our student employment overview video, read position descriptions and apply for appropriate positions below.

#StudentPositions

WellWorks offers the following student employment opportunities. Read position descriptions and apply online! 

  • Wellness Specialists
  • Fitness Center Maintenance
  • Personal Trainers
  • PACE Positions
  • Fitness Instructors

Wellness Specialists (WS)

Working in our Fitness Center provides you with a unique opportunity to make a connection between the classroom setting and real life. Get hands-on experience when you teach members to use fitness equipment safely and effectively and help our members meet their personal wellness goals by informing them of all of our available services. You’ll gain additional customer service experience when you work at our front desk.   

*Work hours include early morning openings, closing in the evening, weekends and around some holidays. Availability to work winter intercession and summer preferred. 

Our Wellness Specialists often major in Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Dietetics, Nursing and other CHSP health-related majors.

Wellness Specialist Position Description

Job Title: Wellness Specialists

Position Type: Student Hourly, Practicum, Workstudy

Salary: Student hourly/Workstudy = minimum wage, Practicum – earns class credit

Department: Fitness Center

Location: Grover Center E124

Supervisor: Cyndi Parsons

Applications accepted by: Online Form. See link below.

Job Description: The Wellness Specialist (WS) are responsible for covering the Front Desk and Fitness Center during all hours of operation. Two WS are on duty at all times, one in the Fitness Center and one at the Front Desk. Both WS will open the facility when scheduled, and close the facility when scheduled. WS are assigned shifts Monday through Fridays that they will work all semester. Weekends (Friday starting at 4pm through Sunday evening) are distributed as evenly as possible with the entire WS staff. Must be available to work on the Athens Campus at WellWorks in Grover Center between 5:30am-9:00pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00am-6:00pm Saturday and Sunday. A minimum of 8 hours of work a week. The WS exemplifies the entirety of WellWorks at OHIO University and its services to the OHIO and Athens communities. They are the front line customer service staff for all WellWorks programs and services and must conduct themselves professionally. New hires will have a 90-day probation period that begins the day they complete their last training session (the one-on-one with Cyndi). Not following policies and procedures may result in termination of employment.

Must Attend:

  • Attend and actively participate in all required training when hired for this position Attend and actively participate in Orientation. (Those who cannot attend will be put on a 90-day probation regardless of their term of service.)
  • Attend and actively participate in all mandatory monthly meetings. Attend and actively participate in all MI3 (Motivational Interviewing – 3 sessions) trainings – complete the series.
  • Attend and actively participate in CIA (Culture in Action) training. CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification training (as needed to hold current certification) HIPAA training (yearly) Cash/Credit Card Handling training (yearly) Blood Pressure training 

Responsibilities:

  • A WS must be always on duty, one at the Front Desk and one in the Fitness Center.
  • Maintain knowledge of WellWorks’ policies, operations, programs and procedures.
  • Serve as customer service representative for WellWorks as a whole.
  • Answer questions regarding the facility and any program that may take place in the facility. Sell various items including memberships and services, and program registration.  
  • Provide membership and registration options based on patron needs.  
  • Connect with members in a positive way to support their wellness experience at WellWorks.
  • Perform job tasks to the best of your ability and ask for help when you don’t know.
  • Direct members/clients to appropriate full-time staff for program/service questions in which they cannot answer to the best of their ability.
  • Ensure safety of members in fitness space including:  spotting, cleaning of equipment, reporting broken equipment, understand and facilitate EAP (Emergency Action Plan).
  • Hold peer to WellWorks standards and assist peers in a caring respectful way to support their learning of the WellWorks way.
  • Adhere to roles and responsibilities detailed in the Student Handbook.  

Job Specific Tasks:

  • Use of current software system to create membership contracts, member portal accounts, booking/cancelling appointments, redeeming sessions of at appointment check-in, on members’ accounts, processing point of sale payments, and processing visitors.
  • Explain how to become a member of WellWorks (knowledge of all membership types) Using customer service skills to greet members and guests as they check in and leave. 
  • Give orientations to new members.
  • Describe our group fitness schedules/class descriptions, and how they register for the class via the member portal.
  • Communicate with office staff.
  • Complete Point of Sale and cash/check/credit card handling on a daily basis.
  • Answer and transfer phone calls to the appropriate professional staff Provide positive, intentional, and consistent customer service to each patron.
  • Wear staff shirt, casual pants (no jeans), tennis shoes and nametag while on duty.  
  • Maintain clean, professional atmosphere.  
  • Adhere to the Student Employee Handbook Read the weekly WS Newsletter.  
  • Read the WellWorks Newsletter from the marketing department.  
  • Keep up with the WellWorks Facebook posts.  
  • Know how to navigate the WellWorks webpage and member portal.
  • Clearly explain company policies and procedures Demonstrate professionalism with a customer comes first attitude Issue verbal warnings or file accountability slips of WS (including WS Student Managers) when you notice policies are not being upheld.
  • In the Fitness Center, explain the proper use of exercise equipment, proper exercise technique, and spotting members if requested.  
  • Routine cleaning of equipment is to be completed each day.  
  • Launder FC & GE cleaning towels on a regular basis.
  • Challenge yourself to achieve higher levels of awareness of people’s perceptions, maintaining appropriate sensitivity and awareness of cultural norms, diversity, and diversity education.
  • Assist supervisors with moving and replacing equipment.
  • Complete other duties as assigned  

Preferred Skills and Degree Majors:

  • Exercise physiology (or other health-related) major
  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Cash/credit card handling and point-of-sale experience preferred
  • Preferably a first-year, second-year, or junior (students who will be at the University longer than one year). 

Apply Now! To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the online employment application (see below). Qualified applicants will be emailed and asked to participate in an interview. Applications for Wellness Specialists are accepted online only. 

Apply Now 

Fitness Center Maintenance

Like fixing things? If so, put your talent to work as a maintenance staff at WellWorks! 

Maintenance staff employees help keep the fitness center operate smoothly. 

Fitness Center Maintenance Position Description

Job Title: Fitness Center Maintenance

Position Type: Student Hourly, Practicum, Workstudy

Salary: Student hourly/Workstudy = minimum wage, Practicum – earns class credit

Department: Fitness Center

Location: Grover Center E124

Supervisor: Jenn Bennett (temporary)

Applications accepted by: Online Form. See link below.

Job Description:

  • Maintenance staff employees will be responsible for: repairing, cleaning, and moving the fitness center equipment.
  • You will provide preventive maintenance on all machines to keep them running smoothly.
  • Employees will be required to work at least 4 hours per week at WellWorks and complete the checklists in the maintenance office. Checklists include general cleaning, general repairs, and general maintenance on equipment.
  • Other job duties may include ordering equipment/parts, creating floor plans, and following the instruction of WellWorks professional staff. 
  • Engineering-related majors preferred.
  • Work Schedule: Must be able to work 4-6 hours per week. Encouraged to work over winter break and summer.  

Applications for Fitness Center Maintenance are accepted online only. 

Apply Now

Personal Trainers

If you love exercise and have the desire to help people achieve their fitness goals, consider becoming a certified personal trainer at WellWorks. Personal trainers will assess personal goals and needs, develop a comprehensive fitness plan, and instruct participants during private and/or group sessions. 

Health-related majors preferred. Personal Training Certification program offered to potential candidates.

Personal Training Position Description

Job Title: Personal Trainer

Position Type: Student Hourly

Department: Fitness Center

Location: Grover Center E124

Supervisor: Jacob Hittle, hittle@ohio.edu

Applications accepted by: Online Form. See link below.

Job Description: 

If you love exercise and have the desire to help people achieve their fitness goals, consider becoming a certified personal trainer at WellWorks. Personal trainers will assess personal goals and needs, develop a comprehensive fitness plan, and instruct participants during private and/or group sessions. 

Health-related majors preferred. Personal Training Certification program offered to potential candidates.

    Applications to become a Personal Trainer are accepted online only. 

    Apply Now

    PACE

    PACE (Program to Aid Career Exploration) is an on-campus work program sponsored by Ohio University's Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships and Career Services. PACE positions offer a unique opportunity to explore their career interests and to gain valuable work experience and skills before leaving college and entering the workforce.

    A sampling of the types of PACE positions typically hosted at WellWorks include: 

    • Nutrition Program Assistant: Assists in providing nutrition guidance for Risk Reduction program participants, developing and delivering nutrition programming and educational materials across campus, and performing dietary analysis.
    • Clinical Exercise Physiology Program Assistant: Assists with fitness assessments, health prescriptions, orientations to equipment, and intake process of new WellWorks members.
    • Group Exercise Assistant: Assists with rosters and semester stats of the group exercise program.
    • Education/Special Events: Assists with health education and marketing/outreach

    See PACE Website for more details about how to apply for a PACE position.

    There are currently no PACE positions open (for the 2022-2023 school year).

    Group Exercise Instructors

    Do you have a passion for teaching others to exercise? Our group exercise program offers a variety of classes—from yoga and Pilates to indoor cycling and Zumba. We hire students, OHIO employees, and community members. 

    We require that all instructors either have a nationally-recognized certification, have successfully completed the Ohio University's "FIT" course, or have other relevant experience with plans to become certified. Instructors also complete a "try-out" before being selected to teach. If you are interested in a position as a Group Exercise Instructor, please contact us by emailing WellWorks@ohio.edu.

    Practicum Positions

    On occasion, WellWorks offers major-related practicum opportunities. Click each of the titles below to learn more about offerings. If a position is currently available for application, application instructions are available. If no application information is provided, that means that the position is currently not open.

    Health-Related Physical Fitness Testing and Interpretation

    Terms: Spring, Summer, Fall (1-4 credits)

    Contact:  Position not currently available, please do not contact 

    Position Description:   

    • WellWorks conducts health-related physical fitness testing services for members and non-members alike.  
    • Current testing services include body composition analysis using whole-body densitometry (BOD POD), Functional Movement Screening (FMS), and submaximal tests of cardiorespiratory fitness.  
    • The student will collaborate with an exercise physiologist to administer and interpret these physical fitness tests.  
    • This includes physical fitness tests scheduled for the general population and for the Risk Reduction program.  
    • These job tasks develop skills that are consistent with those of an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C).  
    • Depending on the timing of the practicum, the student may also participate in two additional fitness testing batteries:  1) Physical performance testing of the functional status of older adults; and 2) Physical fitness testing of the OUPD.      

    Learning Objectives  

    • By completion of the practicum experience, the student will understand the purposes of health-related physical fitness testing and its basic principles and guidelines, including the latest evidence that cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) is a vital sign.  
    • The student will be a trained BOD POD technician and will be able to independently administer and interpret body composition analyses. This includes distinguishing between the strengths and weaknesses of different body composition techniques.  
    • The student will be able to administer the Functional Movement Screen and make informed decisions about movement and exercise prescription based on its results.            

    Student Responsibilities

    Daily Tasks (50%) –

    • Students will be trained to complete the following general tasks in more detail: · Administer and interpret body composition analyses (BOD POD) and Functional Movement Screenings (FMS) as scheduled.
    • Conduct and interpret Risk Reduction program physical fitness assessments. · Organize program quality metrics (e.g. Referrals, costs, service, participant satisfaction, etc.).
    • Participate in administrative tasks (e.g. equipment calibration, maintenance, inventory, etc.).
    • Complete a weekly log (e.g. Write a brief description weekly of the student experience – See below for more details).

    Project (25%) –

    • Students will leave a legacy by completing a project.  Examples include: · Contributing to the Therapeutic Exercises Manual for FMS participants. · Planning, implementing, and reviewing a promotional campaign for one of the health-related physical fitness testing services.

    Mentorship (25%) –

    • The preceptor will be the current Coordinator, CEP at WellWorks.
    • The student will be trained to complete daily tasks and projects by the preceptor.
    • The student will identify personal goals (knowledge or skills related to the practicum) which they desire to develop. Feedback and coaching will be provided weekly by the preceptor.  

    Student Agreement

    • 1. Student Goals - These goals should be written by student and discussed in the first week with preceptor.  Goals should be agreed upon by both parties.
    • 2. Weekly Log – A brief description of weekly activities.  What project(s) were you working on during the week? What activities did you participate in?  Three specific questions must also be answered weekly:  1) What did I learn? 2) What do I need or want to know more about?  3) What am I confused about?  Essentially, the log is a weekly diary of student activities.  The weekly log must be typed, include dates and total hours worked per week, then sent to preceptor.  
    • 3. Project – Work with preceptor to determine a programming/business need.  This will include an evaluation/recommendation for future programming/business needs.
    • 4. Preceptor’s Evaluation of Student (mid and final) – see additional pages (2 options)
    • 5. Student’s Evaluation of Preceptor (mid and final) – see additional page  

    Student Goals

    • Goals should be written by student and discussed in the first week with the preceptor.  Goals should be agreed upon by both parties. 
    Exercise Prescription and Leadership for Older Adults

    Terms: Spring, Summer, Fall (1-4 credits)

    Contact:  Position not currently available, please do not contact  

    Position Description: It is reported that only 11% of individuals 65 years and older engage in exercise that meets the federal guidelines. The student will collaborate with an exercise physiologist to plan, implement, and review programming for older adults at WellWorks.  This includes group and individual exercise experiences that may be a component of the Active Senior program or the Phase IV Cardiopulmonary Rehab program.  The student will be given regular responsibilities and trained to complete job tasks associated with an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C).          

    Learning Objective:  By completion of the practicum experience, the student will understand the effects of aging on selected health-related variables and the impact of exercise on the aging process.  The student will be able to conduct physical performance testing for the assessment of the functional status of older adults and develop safe and effective exercise programs.  The student will participate in group exercise classes for older adults and will be able to model exercise leadership through effective teaching, communicating, and motivational techniques.        

    Student Responsibilities

    Daily Tasks (50%) – Students will be trained to complete the following general tasks in more detail:

    • Leadership of Active Senior group exercise (e.g. Play a supportive instructional role to the exercise physiologist during group exercise classes).
    • Develop appropriate exercise prescriptions and apply motivational techniques to manage the progress and accountability of Active Senior and Phase IV Cardiopulmonary rehab participants.
    • Organize program quality metrics (e.g. Referral, enrollment, completion, drop-out, attendance, costs, service, participant satisfaction, etc.).
    • Complete a weekly log (e.g. Write a brief description weekly of the student experience – See below for more details).

    Project (25%) – Students will leave a legacy by completing a project.  Examples include: 

    • Planning and implementing (piloting) a new, different Active Senior group exercise class.
    • Coordinating physical performance testing for older adult members and summarizing the aggregate results to identify the physical fitness needs of our population of older adults.
    • Creating supplemental materials for each respective Active Senior group exercise class or materials that are appropriate to older adults (e.g. Creating an exercise library of a class, etc.).
    • Writing an Active Senior newsletter or brief, including updates and member stories.

    Mentorship (25%) – The preceptor will be the current Coordinator, CEP at WellWorks. 

    • The student will be trained to complete daily tasks and projects by the preceptor.
    • The student will identify personal goals (knowledge or skills related to the practicum) which they desire to develop.  
    • Feedback and coaching will be provided weekly by the preceptor.  

    Student Agreement

    • 1. Student Goals - These goals should be written by student and discussed in the first week with preceptor.  Goals should be agreed upon by both parties.
    • 2. Weekly Log – A brief description of weekly activities.  What project(s) were you working on during the week? What activities did you participate in?  Three specific questions must also be answered weekly: 1) What did I learn? 2) What do I need or want to know more about? 3) What am I confused about? Essentially, the log is a weekly diary of student activities.  The weekly log must be typed, include dates and total hours worked per week, then sent to preceptor.
    • 3. Project – Work with preceptor to determine a programming/business need.  This will include an assessment of need, program development and implementation, and an evaluation/recommendation for future programming/business needs.
    • 4. Preceptor’s Evaluation of Student (mid and final) 
    • 5. Student’s Evaluation of Preceptor (mid and final)