Qualification Paths for Fitness Careers
The Navy MWR Fitness Program aims to create "Fitness for Life" for the entire Navy community, including active-duty Sailors, family members, retirees, and DoD civilians. Individual and group instruction is available from certified fitness professionals in cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, flexibility, and nutrition.
Supervisory Recreation Specialist (Fitness Program Director)
NF-0188-04
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
Undergraduate degree or higher in general recreation, or one of the appropriate fields of recreation such as outdoor recreation; recreation and parks leadership; youth recreation; public, urban, or community recreation; special populations recreation (e.g., senior citizens, institutional, etc.); or physical education OR 3 years' specialized experience in planning, coordinating, or implementing a fitness, aquatics, and/or sports program.
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
3 years' specialized experience in planning, coordinating, or implmenting a fitness, aquatics, and/or sports program.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Certification
Fitness: Professional certification from a National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) accredited health/fitness organization.
Aquatics: International Life Saving Federation or Red Cross Waterfront (Manages Waterfront Only) and CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Emergency Response through the American Red Cross or equivalent.
Sports: Professional certification from a sports governing body.
Additional Requirements
Driver's License
For Aquatics the following are preferred: Lifeguard Instructor, Water Safety Instructor, Certified Pool Operator, American Red Cross Small Craft Safety Training
Time to Advance
Typically 2+ years
FFR Professional Development
NAF 101
NAF Budgeting
Grow Your Business
FFR Required Training
Cash Handling
Customer Service
RECTRAC
First Aid
AED
CPR
Blood-borne Pathogen Certification
Navy Basic Fitness Certification
EEO for Supervisors
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
Recreation Specialist, NF-0188-03
Fitness Specialist, NF-0030-03
Recreation Assistant, NF-0189-02
Recreation Specialist, GS-0188-07/09/11
Recreation Assistant, GS-0189-04/05/07
Supervisory Recreation Specialist (Athletics, Aquatics, Sports, or Fitness Program Manager)
NF-0188-04
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
Undergraduate degree or higher in general recreation, or one of the appropriate fields of recreation such as outdoor recreation; recreation and parks leadership; youth recreation; public, urban, or community recreation; special populations recreation (e.g., senior citizens, institutional, etc.); or physical education OR 2 years' specialized experience in planning, coordinating, or implementing a(n) [aquatics/sports/fitness] program.
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
2 years' specialized experience in planning, coordinating, or implementing a(n) [aquatics/sports/fitness] program.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certification
N/A
Additional Requirements
N/A
Time to Advance
Typically 2+ years
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
Cash Handling
Customer Service
RECTRAC
SAP
EEO for Supervisors
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
Community Recreation Specialist (Programmer), NF-0188-03
Recreation Specialist, NF-0188-03
Recreation Assistant, NF-0189-02
Recreation Specialist, GS-0188-07/09/11
Recreation Assistant, GS-0189-04/05/07
Fitness Facility Manager
NF-1601-04
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
N/A
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
2 years' specialized experience in fitness facility management/maintenance.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or equivalent combination of education and experience."
Certification
N/A
Additional Requirements
Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a state driver's license.
Time to Advance
N/A
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
N/A
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
N/A
Lead Recreation Assistant (Aquatics Lifeguard)
NF-0189-03
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
1 year specialized experience in lifeguarding or Successful completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in courses related to recreation or physical education.
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
1 year specialized experience in lifeguarding.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required or Equivalent combination of education/experience (Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience.)
Certification
Lifeguard Certification
CPR
First Aid
AED
Blood Borne Pathogens
International Life Saving Federation or Red Cross Waterfront (Waterfront only)
CPR for the Professional Crescuer and Emergency Response (Waterfront only)
Additional Requirements
Ability to compelte an ocean run swim run event (1/4 mile run, 500-meter swim, 1/4 mile run)
Ability to complete a 500-meter swim in less than 10 min. in a controlled environment
Ability to work varied schedules
Ability to work with hazardous materials (e.g. cleaning agents, pool chemicals)
Able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license
Ability to pass an initial and recurrent physical agility test
Time to Advance
Typically 1+ years
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
Customer Service
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard), NF-0189-02
Fitness & Sports Specialist (Physical Readiness Support)
NF-0030-03
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- physical education. or 1 year specialized experience that demonstrated the ability to plan, supervise, administer, or carry out a sports program that incudes a variety of individual and team sports; and guide participants in developing the skills needed for participation in sports acitivites and to teach the techniques of various sports.
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
1 year of specialized experience in the appropriate physical activity program or area.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement or equivalent combination of education and experience
Certification
The three elements below sufficiently qualify an individual to perform their duties as a fitness instructor/personal trainer instructor:
High school diploma or equivalent
Fitness instructor, personal trainer or certification from an accredited health/fitness organization
Professional competence in the physical activity program or area.
Additional Requirements
Staff qualifications will vary significantly, depending on the type of participant accepted by the facility. Facilities that offer programs designed to appeal to children, older participants or to participants with known health problems; the staff should have special qualifications, usually an advanced, clinically-oriented certification from a nationally recognized professional organization.
Time to Advance
Typically 1+ years
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
Cash Handling
Customer Service
RECTRAC
First Aid
AED
CPR
Blood-borne Pathogen Certification
Navy Basic Fitness Certification
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
N/A
Fitness & Sports Specialist
NF-0030-03
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- physical education. or 1 year specialized experience that demonstrated the ability to plan, supervise, administer, or carry out a sports program that incudes a variety of individual and team sports; and guide participants in developing the skills needed for participation in sports acitivites and to teach the techniques of various sports.
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
1 year of specialized experience in the appropriate physical activity program or area.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement or equivalent combination of education and experience
Certification
The two elements below sufficiently qualify an individual to perform their duties as a group fitness instructor:
A primary approved certification from an accredited health/fitness organization.
Approved certification in the physical activity or program area.
Additional Requirements
Staff qualifications will vary significantly, depending on the type of participant accepted by the facility. Facilities that offer programs designed to appeal to children, older participants or to participants with known health problems; the staff should have special qualifications, usually an advanced, clinically-oriented certification from a nationally recognized professional organization.
Time to Advance
Typically 1+ years
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
Cash Handling
Customer Service
RECTRAC
First Aid
AED
CPR
Blood-borne Pathogen Certification
Navy Basic Fitness Certification
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
N/A
Recreation Assistant (Water Safety/Swim Instructor)
NF-0189-02
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
1 year specialized experience in lifeguarding or Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g., basic psychology, group dynamics, physical education, arts and crafts, etc.).
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience in lifeguarding.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 1 year of experience required for GS-4; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the 2 years of education that meets the requirements for GS-4. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-4.
Certification
Water Safety Instructor (CNICINST 1710.3)
Lifeguard Training (CNICINST 1710.3)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Providers
First Aid to include Automated External Defibrillator Certification and Blood Borne Pathogens
Additional Requirements
Ability to work varied schedules
Ability to work with hazardous materials (e.g. cleaning agents, pool chemicals)/p>
Time to Advance
N/A
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
N/A
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
Recreation Assistant, NF-0189-02 (Lifeguard)
Recreation Assistant - Fitness/Sports/Aquatics
NF-0189-02
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
1 year specialized experience in recreation assistance (fitness, sports, or aquatics, as appropriate) or Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g., basic psychology, group dynamics, physical education, arts and crafts, etc.).
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience in recreation assistance (fitness, sports, or aquatics, as appropriate).
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 1 year of experience required for GS-4; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the 2 years of education that meets the requirements for GS-4. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-4.
Certification
Lifeguard Certification
CPR
First Aid
AED
Blood Borne Pathogens
International Life Saving Federation or Red Cross Waterfront (Waterfront only)
CPR for the Professional Crescuer and Emergency Response (Waterfront only)
Additional Requirements
N/A
Time to Advance
N/A
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
N/A
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
N/A
Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard)
NF-0189-02
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)
1 year specialized experience in lifeguarding or Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g., basic psychology, group dynamics, physical education, arts and crafts, etc.).
Specialized Experience (Including IOR)
6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience in lifeguarding.
Combo to meet Specialized Experience
2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 1 year of experience required for GS-4; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the 2 years of education that meets the requirements for GS-4. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-4.
Certification
Lifeguard Certification
CPR
First Aid
AED
Blood Borne Pathogens
International Life Saving Federation or Red Cross Waterfront (Waterfront only)
CPR for the Professional Crescuer and Emergency Response (Waterfront only)
Additional Requirements
Ability to compelte an ocean run swim run event (1/4 mile run, 500-meter swim, 1/4 mile run)
Ability to complete a 500-meter swim in less than 10 min. in a controlled environment
Ability to work varied schedules
Ability to work with hazardous materials (e.g. cleaning agents, pool chemicals)
Able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license
Ability to pass an initial and recurrent physical agility test
Time to Advance
N/A
FFR Professional Development
N/A
FFR Required Training
N/A
Soft Skills Training - Self Directed
N/A
Typical Career Path Development
N/A