Back view of a lifeguard wearing a red UMF Lifeguard vest and green shorts, holding a red rescue tube by an indoor pool.

FRC Student Employment

Work Where Campus Comes to Life

Develop leadership. Build experience. Make an impact.

The Fitness & Recreation Center is one of the largest—and most dynamic—student employers on campus. As a year-round operation, we offer meaningful employment opportunities that fit around your class schedule while helping you build valuable leadership, communication, and professional skills.

Whether you’re looking for your first campus job or a position that aligns with your career goals, there’s a place for you here. We hire students through department funding, Federal Work-Study, and Work Initiative programs, creating opportunities for students with a wide range of interests, skills, and availability.

At the Fitness & Recreation Center, your education comes first. Our flexible scheduling allows you to prioritize academics while gaining real-world experience, building your résumé, and making a lasting impact on the UMF community.

Employment Funding

We proudly employ students through several funding sources to make on-campus employment as accessible as possible.

Department-Funded Positions are available year-round and provide consistent employment opportunities, even for students who have exhausted their Federal Work-Study awards.

Federal Work-Study Positions are available throughout the department, with every position eligible to utilize Work-Study funding. Several roles are exclusively designated as Work-Study positions.

Work Initiative Positions are specialized leadership roles designed for students with unique interests or skills. These positions provide enhanced professional development opportunities while supporting key programs and initiatives within the department.

More Than Just a Campus Job

Working at the Fitness & Recreation Center means becoming part of a team dedicated to creating a welcoming, safe, and active campus community. Student employees gain transferable skills in leadership, customer service, communication, risk management, event operations, teamwork, and program development—all while working alongside supportive professional staff who are invested in their success.

Join the Fitness & Recreation Center Team

Protect & Teach (Aquatics)

The Aquatics Department offers opportunities for students of all experience levels to develop leadership, teaching, and lifesaving skills. Whether you’re already certified or looking to gain experience, our team provides meaningful employment in a fun, supportive environment.

We hire certified American Red Cross Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors, as well as Swim Instructor Aides and Deck Assistants for students who are eager to learn. Students interested in becoming certified can also take advantage of our American Red Cross training courses offered throughout the year.

Aquatics Jobs

Become a Lifeguard

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American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards play a vital role in creating a safe and welcoming aquatic environment. You’ll develop valuable skills in emergency response, decision-making, leadership, and customer service while gaining real-world experience in risk management.

Don’t have your certification yet? We’ll be offering two American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses this fall:

Intensive Course: Completed during the first two weeks of the semester.
Extended Course: Meets once each week throughout the semester.

Water Safety Instructors

Swim Instructor Aides

Deck Assistants (Work-Study)

Aquatic Leadership (Work Initiative)

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Designed for students interested in leadership and recreation management, this Work Initiative position helps shape aquatic programming through staff mentoring, program development, and daily operations. It’s an outstanding opportunity to build professional leadership experience while making a lasting impact on campus recreation.

An aerial image of the UMF fitness and recreation center

Keep the Facility Running (Building Operations)

Building Operations is at the heart of the Fitness & Recreation Center. From welcoming members to ensuring the facility is clean, safe, and ready for activity, these positions help create an exceptional experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

Building Operation Jobs

Keep the Facility Moving – Building Attendants

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Building Attendants are the heart of our daily operations. As the eyes and ears of the facility, you’ll help create a safe, welcoming environment by engaging with members, monitoring activity spaces, maintaining equipment and cleanliness, and supporting daily operations.

This is an excellent entry-level position for students looking to develop leadership, communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills. Shifts are available throughout the day, seven days a week, to align with facility operating hours.

Welcome Every Visitor – Front Desk Operations

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Our Front Desk team creates the first impression for every member and guest who enters the Fitness & Recreation Center. If you enjoy helping others, staying organized, and working in a fast-paced environment, this position is a great way to build professional communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities include opening and closing the facility, answering phones, processing memberships and transactions, directing visitors, providing exceptional customer service, and assisting with special projects.

Make the Games Happen – Intramural Sports Officials (Work-study)

Inspire Healthy Living (Group Fitness, Personal Training & Physical Health Education)

Help others discover the benefits of movement while developing your own leadership, coaching, and instructional skills. Whether you’re leading a fitness class, working one-on-one with clients, or introducing students to lifelong healthy habits through PHE, you’ll make a meaningful impact on the UMF community.

Jobs

Teach Physical Health Education (PHE): PHE Instructors

Did you have a great experience in your PHE course? Want to help others discover the physical and mental benefits of an active lifestyle?

PHE Instructors encourage students to build lifelong healthy habits through engaging, supportive instruction. This position is ideal for students who enjoy teaching, motivating others, and serving as positive role models for health and wellness.

Lead Group Fitness: Group Fitness Instructors

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Lead energetic and engaging fitness classes that inspire participants to stay active and have fun. Group Fitness Instructors teach safe, effective, and enjoyable workouts while creating an encouraging environment for members of all fitness levels.

Current certification through a nationally recognized organization (such as ACE or AFAA) is preferred, or you may qualify by completing the instructor training course offered through the UMF Fitness & Recreation Center. Opportunities may also be available to teach specialty formats such as yoga, Pilates, aquatic fitness, or select PHE courses.

Coach One-on-One: Personal Trainers

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Personal Trainers work individually with members to help them achieve their health and fitness goals through fitness assessments, personalized exercise programming, and ongoing motivation. This position is perfect for students who enjoy coaching others, building relationships, and applying exercise science in a practical setting.

Current certification through a nationally recognized organization (such as ACE, ACSM, or AFAA) is preferred, or you may qualify by completing the personal trainer preparation course offered through the UMF Fitness & Recreation Center. Flexible scheduling allows appointments to fit around both your class schedule and your clients’ availability.

Image of a Mainely Outdoors staff member standing next to a bike in front of trees in fall

Connect the Campus to the Outdoors: Mainely Outdoors (Work-Study)

Love the outdoors? Join our Mainely Outdoors team by helping manage equipment rentals, staffing information tables, supporting outdoor programs, and encouraging adventure across campus.

Trip Leader Responsibilities include, organizing, communicating, and leading of multi-ability level trips. Included but limited to hiking, mountain biking, paddle sports, snowshoeing, x-country skiing, and other outdoor sports. Leaders must have weekends available, as Saturday’s are big trip days! l Applicant should have a background and proficiency in outdoor recreation and a true passion for the outdoors.

Join the Fitness & Recreation Center Team

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