The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is currently hiring Healthy Lifestyle Coaches to motivate, support and give guidance to participants in the YMCA’s community health and wellness programs. He/she leads a group that is able to support and guide each other on a path through behavior change. The lifestyle coach encourages participants to become aware of their surroundings and the impact they have on their choices related to nutrition and physical activity. The lifestyle coach amplifies the group dynamics that provide participants with ideas, suggestions and solutions around behaviors the entire group is working together to change. This position will work approximately 2-4 hours per week per class taught. Healthy Lifestyle coaches may be required to travel to offsite locations to conduct classes. 

 The Healthy Lifestyle Coach will be responsible for the following:

• Present curriculum to class participants in effective, meaningful and compelling ways.
• Facilitate group participation and interaction through the use of open-ended questions and encourage commitment and retention of participants.
• Create a motivating environment that is friendly and non-competitive.
• Foster relationships with and between participants.
• Make learning a shared responsibility for the group.
• Prepare before each class (i.e. review participants’ food and activity trackers, lesson plan, content for class, reminder call to participants).
• Be accessible to participants both before and after sessions to answer questions and follow-up on any questions you cannot answer during class time.
• Follow-up with participants outside of class if they are unable to attend (provide an in-person make-up session opportunity).
• Support and encourage goal setting on a weekly basis.
• Record weekly data for each participant (attendance, body weight, physical activity total weekly minutes, etc.) 

Location Details

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas - POSITIONS ARE HELD ACROSS THE DFW METRO AREA

Requirements:

Requirements for the YMCA's Healthy Lifestyle Coach include commitment to and support of the Y mission and more specifically, the vision and goals of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ Board of Directors and their commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community. He/She must have a thorough understanding of behavior change methodology and strong communication skills, the ability to build strong relationships with individuals and build community within a group, and have empathy for health seekers. He/She must be flexible and culturally competent to work with a wide variety of people. He/She must be able to lead physical activity. He/She must be detailed, and be data and computer savvy. Knowledge of basic health, nutrition, and fitness is desirable. Familiarity and proficiency with Listen First or motivational interviewing is preferred. Must be able to complete trainings required by YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas within 30 days including but not limited to First Aid/CPR, Sexual Harassment, Online Child Abuse Prevention, and New Staff Orientation.

Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus - currently seeking Spanish speaking coaches for certain programs.

CONTACT TRACEY BURNS 469.276.8442 OR TBURNS@YMCADALLAS.ORG