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Top Benefits

Paid internship
Hands-on experience in recreational fitness programming
Opportunity to engage students in recreational activities

About the role

Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

Athletics and Recreation Intern (The Pulse) - Current students or individuals who have graduated within the last two years only

Job ID

70362

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

07/04/2025

Job Type

Student

Close Date

08/02/2025

Employee Group

Interim

Favorite Job

Department

Ath&Rec Recreation & HL

Contract Duration

8.3 Months

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

35 hours per week, Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, evenings and weekends as needed

Education Level

Bachelors Degree in a relevant field.

Career Level

Previous experience in athletic or varsity sports is preferred.

Hourly Rate

$25.81 per hour

Job Description

Department, Unit or Project Description:
Recreational Fitness & Student Engagement Internship Opportunity

Are you passionate about fitness and eager to make a positive impact on student life at McMaster University? The Department of Athletics & Recreation is excited to offer a unique internship opportunity focused on Recreational Fitness, Student Engagement, and Recreational Events at the Pulse Fitness Centre.

This is a paid, one-year internship beginning in September 2025, open to current students or individuals who have graduated within the last two years.

About Us: The Department of Athletics and Recreation (A&R- a division of Student Affairs) provides students, staff, faculty, alumni and the greater community the opportunity to pursue athletic excellence and recreational activities. The mission of the department is to cultivate human potential and well-being through recreation and sport. The operating units of the department include interuniversity athletics, recreation, and sport medicine.

This internship is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience in the areas of recreational fitness programming, student engagement, and event planning. The successful candidate will work directly within the Pulse Fitness Centre, contributing to both day-to-day operations and special projects and events that promote active living and community building among McMaster students.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist in the planning, promotion, and execution of recreational fitness events and initiatives.

  • Lead or support special projects aimed at increasing student engagement in fitness and wellness.

  • Contribute to the daily operations of the Pulse Fitness Centre, including customer service and facility support.

  • Collaborate with staff and student leaders to create inclusive and engaging fitness experiences.

  • Support marketing and outreach efforts to promote recreational programs and events.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Current student or recent graduate (within the last 2 years).
  • Passion for fitness and a strong desire to engage students in recreational activities.
  • Experience in group fitness instruction or personal training is an asset but not required.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.

Job Summary:

Responsible for coordinating, administering, and evaluating existing Athletics and Recreation programs/ services. Act as a mentor, and provide front-line support to athlete services, sports club coordination and the day-to-day running of the Athletics Department. Role will support the department with various aspects of, including, but not limited to, recruitment, fundraising, alumni and community engagement, event planning, and marketing. Collaborate with coaches and members within Athletics and Recreation to ensure high level of service and support is provided.

Accountabilities:

  • Instruct on and assess technique skills of student athletes and demonstrate understanding of exercise prescription variables and adaptations.

  • Act as a mentor and motivate student athletes to enhance athletic skills and techniques.

  • Plan and coordinate student-athlete programs/ services.

  • Provide feedback and input on program/ service offerings.

  • Provide appropriate resources and support to student athletes who may be undergoing difficult physical or emotional periods.

  • Liaise with internal contacts, external suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth operation of activities and events.

  • Liaise with various campus stakeholders to support with recruiting student-athletes.

  • Work with appropriate stakeholders, to develop and deliver club executive onboarding/ training.

  • Develop outreach and promotional materials including, but not limited to, webcast/ streaming, photography, videography, etc.

  • Demonstrate a variety of physical activities and the use of equipment to others.

  • Evaluate training progress and predict performance.

  • Inform students regarding the academic accommodation processes.

  • Verify and document eligibility of all sport event participants.

  • Plan and coordinate a variety of events and activities for the department.

  • Collect, analyze, assess, and summarize information relevant to the decision-making process and develop recommendations for final approval and implementation.

  • Support in developing the fundraising strategy.

  • Review and monitor program budgets.

  • Write and update a variety of documents including, but not limited to, correspondence, emails, press releases, etc.

  • Support with club ratification or returning clubs renewal process.

  • Perform set up and take down of equipment as required for a variety of athletic events.

  • Act as department representative for various committees.

  • Provide administrative support for coaches and managers.

  • Maintain recordkeeping processes and perform data entry, data collection and data analyses tasks.

  • Update and maintain information on the departmental website and social media channels.

Qualifications:
Education: Bachelors Degree in a relevant field.

Experience: Previous experience in athletic or varsity sports is preferred.

Assets:

  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable. Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, especially during the sports season portion of the academic year, including many evenings and weekends.

  • Works well with others and independently.

  • Problem solver and enjoys coming up with creative solutions when needed.

  • Ability to effectively coordinate/organize/prioritize detailed work and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional approach.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information:

Eligibility:
In order to apply for this internship, you must meet all of the following criteria. All candidates who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to McMaster graduates.

  • Have graduated from a Canadian University within the last three (3) years.
  • Current students need to have completed required credits for graduation by April 2025.
  • Be eligible to work in Canada
  • Have an interest in pursuing a career in Athletics and Recreation
  • Bachelors Degree in a relevant field

Hours of work & rate of pay: 35 hours per week, $25.81 per hour

How To Apply

Please complete and submit an application online by July 27th and ensure you provide details on:

  1. Expression of interest: no longer than 1-pager that explains the following:
  • Your career ambitions and what kinds of experience you hope to gain through this internship
  • Any relevant knowledge, experience or skills, which will help you to be successful during the internship.
  • Availability for September 2025 start date (Marking no will not automatically disqualify you. If not available to start in September, please indicate when your earliest start date could be in your expression of interest.)
  1. Updated Resume

Feel free to combine both documents. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in August and hiring decisions will be made by mid to late August.

It is anticipated that the internships will be in person on McMaster’s main campus, however, a hybrid work schedule (virtual and in person) may be offered depending on the nature of the role. Please visit Welcome to McMaster Athletics & Recreation | Recreation for more information about the Athletics and Recreation department. If you have any questions about the internship, please contact Lee-Anne Wilson, wilsol16@mcmaster.ca

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

  • Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
  • Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
  • School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

About McMaster University

Higher Education
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McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.