Program Assistant

Department: Athletics
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

The Fitness and Recreation Program Assistant (Program Assistant) is responsible for supporting the fitness, instructional, and recreation program areas. Over 20,000 students and members participate in our fitness and instructional programs, with over 50,000 swipes into our building annually of students and members. These programs contribute to the health and wellness of our students and members, and the incumbent provides excellent customer service and support for these programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Assistant must ensure the accurate and efficient inputting of all programs into our ActiveNet database system, our online registration system (Connect), and the Fitness and Recreation website. Fitness and recreation programmers provide the incumbent with programming details of approximately 325 programs and classes. Programming details include: the date and time; duration; minimum and maximum numbers; description; price; location; and start and end date. The Program Assistant works with the Facility Booking Office and the programmers to resolve any facility conflicts and books the space for programs. The Program Assistant manages all course and class modifications and cancellations and wait list monitoring throughout the year.

The Program Assistant is responsible for the maintenance, of the Fitness and Recreation website. In addition, the Program Assistant maintains Connect, which is the on-line registration system for the Department of Athletics. Tagging the website with keywords to enhance the search engine optimization (SEO) and ensuring each page is AODA compliant to the highest standard are technical requirements of this role as it relates to the website maintenance. The Program Assistant and Manager of Fitness, Recreation and Client Services regularly meet with the Marketing and Communications officer to design and create a marketing strategy for all programs and memberships. The Program Assistant, in collaboration with the marketing department, will work with templated marketing materials to maintain, refresh and set strategy for program marketing in the area of digital screens, social media, washroom ads and posters. They participate in weekly meetings with the Marketing and Communications Office and Manager of Fitness, Recreation, and Client Services. The Program Assistant keeps track of ongoing marketing projects until their completion, including gathering proofing feedback from the programmers. In cases where the marketing unit is not able to produce printed or social media marketing needs, the Program Assistant helps create that marketing material.

The Program Assistant also runs a semesterly satisfaction survey. They create the survey, send the emails, create marketing to enhance participation and then create a powerpoint summary of the results for presenation to programmers and the Manager of Fitness, Recreation and Client Services.

Recruitment and promotional booths are also a role of this position. Staffing and preparing promotional booths at various open houses, promotional events and fairs on and off-campus.

Requirements

• Two-year College Diploma in Fitness and Health, Business or related field. 
• 6 months to 1.5 years of prior related experience
• Previous experience working in recreation software is a strong asset
• Previous experience with websites, expertise of SEO and/or AODA is a strong asset
• Strong organizational skills
• Student centered philosophy
• Works well within a dynamic and demanding environment
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications
• Strong communication, listening, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work independently and effectively to meet established deadlines
• The successful candidate must value diversity of experiences and perspectives and will play a significant role in supporting and enhancing Athletic and Recreation's Safe Sport, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and community building efforts, actions and initiatives.

Hours of work: Monday to Friday, 8:30-4:30pm. However, some flexible hours in evening and weekends may be required to support promotional booths and marketing events.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10042022 
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 3  
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

*Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 09/30/2025  
Closing Date: 10/07/2025