Fitness Instructor (Juvenile Justice Center)

Job Description

Job Description

DSAL Fitness Coach

Job Description

Organizational Description

DSAL’s mission is to implement the Community Capitals Policing model, which builds on existing community capitals (natural, human, social, economic, built, political, and cultural) to create safer, healthier, more vibrant communities with authentic opportunities for all. DSAL, a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit, works within the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Unit, alongside sworn Sheriff’s Office personnel and behavioral health clinicians to accomplish this mission.

DSAL recreation programs offer no- and low-cost soccer, boxing, fitness, and other recreational activities for low-income community members and provide opportunities for sheriff's deputies to interact positively with members of the community.

DSAL community development programs endeavor to provide support for community groups, empower community members to engage in the political process, engage in creative placemaking, and make their community a more vibrant, healthy place to live, work, and play.

DSAL General Competencies

These are the qualities that all DSAL employees are expected to exhibit.

• Efficiency: Able to produce significant output with minimal wasted effort.

• Organization: Plans, organizes and budgets in an efficient, productive manner, and focuses on key priorities. Does not let important details fall through the cracks or derail a project.

• Proactivity: Acts without being told what to do, and brings new ideas to the organization. Moves quickly and takes the initiative on matters of importance.

• Tenacity: Asks questions until the way forward is clear. Demonstrates a willingness to go the distance to get something done. Follow-through on commitments.

• Intellectual curiosity: Learns quickly, and demonstrates a desire to absorb new information and put it into practice.

• Flexibility: Adapts quickly to changing priorities and conditions. Copes well with complexity and ambiguity.

• Innovation: Creates new approaches to intractable problems. Isn’t tied to old ways of doing business or solving problems.

• Respect: Maintains courteous and professional relationships with staff, faculty, and the public; Is responsive and fair toward all co-workers. Follow through on all requests.

• Communication: Keeps coworkers and other parties informed of relevant meetings and work progress. Communicates expectations clearly, gives timely feedback; Delegates responsibility where appropriate based on co-workers’ and subordinates’ ability and potential.

• Have an Asset Based Youth Development approach: understand that young people need encouragement as well as standards and expectations to meet. Hold young people to those high standards and encourage them to keep pushing for more through hard work and effort.

• Keep Community Development in mind: recognize that your relationships with individuals can lead to the opportunity to connect them to other parts of the community, including ACSO Deputies, Therapists, other DSAL programs, parents, and other community-based resources.

Job Summary

The Assistant Physical Education & Large Muscle Exercise Instructor is a full-time (40 hours per week) position that supports the Lead Physical Education & Large Muscle Exercise Instructor in delivering structured physical education programming for incarcerated youth housed at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center (JJC). Reporting directly to the Lead Instructor, this position assists with planning, instruction, supervision, and implementation of daily large muscle exercise classes centered on bodyweight conditioning, functional movement, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and overall wellness.

Beyond teaching physical fitness, this position plays a vital role in building positive, consistent relationships with incarcerated youth. The Assistant Instructor serves as a mentor, coach, and trusted adult who encourages accountability, resilience, healthy decision-making, and self-confidence. Through daily interaction, the instructor helps create an environment where youth can develop physically, mentally, and emotionally while preparing for a successful transition back into their families and communities upon release.

The ideal candidate understands that physical education is more than exercise—it is an opportunity to teach discipline, perseverance, teamwork, respect, and healthy coping skills that support long-term success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Instructor in teaching 2–3 physical education and large muscle exercise classes each day for incarcerated youth at the Juvenile Justice Center.

• Support the implementation of structured physical education curriculum utilizing bodyweight exercises, calisthenics, functional movement, flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular conditioning, and strength development.

• Lead classes independently when directed by the Lead Instructor.

• Develop positive, respectful, and consistent relationships with youth through daily engagement, encouragement, and mentorship.

• Serve as a positive adult role model by demonstrating professionalism, integrity, patience, accountability, and respect.

• Help youth build confidence, self-discipline, resilience, emotional regulation, and healthy habits through structured physical activity.

• Encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, communication, and personal responsibility during all programming.

• Support participants of varying physical abilities and fitness levels by modifying exercises to maximize participation and success.

• Assist in maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment consistent with Juvenile Justice Center policies and procedures.

• Supervise participants during all classes and activities while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

• Assist with maintaining equipment, instructional areas, and storage spaces in a clean, organized, and safe condition.

• Communicate participant progress, concerns, and program needs with the Lead Instructor and Recreation & Athletics Program Manager.

• Respond to emails and phone calls within one business day.

• Attend DSAL staff meetings, training sessions, and Juvenile Justice Center meetings as assigned.

• Support DSAL community events and organizational initiatives when requested.

• Complete required reports and documentation accurately and on time.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for this position include:

• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in physical education, fitness instruction, recreation, coaching, youth development, or a related field.

• Experience working with incarcerated youth, justice-involved youth, at-risk youth, or other high-needs populations strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to establish positive, trusting, and appropriate relationships with adolescents experiencing significant life challenges.

• Knowledge of bodyweight exercise, physical conditioning, functional movement, flexibility, mobility, and age-appropriate fitness instruction.

• Ability to motivate youth while maintaining appropriate structure, boundaries, and accountability.

• Strong classroom and group management skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Patient, adaptable, and emotionally mature with the ability to remain calm in challenging situations.

• Commitment to treating every young person with dignity, respect, and high expectations regardless of their circumstances.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with the Lead Instructor, Juvenile Justice Center staff, probation personnel, and DSAL leadership.

• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Reliable transportation and consistent attendance.

• Ability to pass all required background checks and meet all security requirements for working inside a secure juvenile detention facility.

• Current CPR/First Aid certification or the ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.

Location

This position is based primarily at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center, 2500 Fairmont Drive, San Leandro, CA 94578.

Occasional participation at other DSAL facilities and community events may be required.

Type of Employment

The position is a non-exempt, full-time position, paid at the rate of $29/hour x40 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday x8 hrs each. Schedule determined in coordination with DSAL and Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center programming needs.

This position includes the following benefits:

• Full-time employees accrue vacation according to the following schedule, up to a maximum of 180 hours:

  • 6.67 hours per month or 10 days per year = 0 -1 year

  • 10 hours per month or 15 days per year = >1 to <5 years

  • 13.33 hours per month or 20 days per year = >5 years

• Group health insurance plan: DSAL pays 100% of the value of the Kaiser Silver medical/dental plan. Kaiser Gold and Platinum are also available, and the employee pays the difference in price.

• Non-matching 401K to allow employees to save for retirement pre-tax

• Cell phone usage reimbursement: $15/pay period

• Laptop usage reimbursement: $25/pay period

• Professional Development Allowance ($300 per year)

Starting Date of Employment

As soon as possible.