Student Employment
Recreation & Wellness Student Employment
Recreation & Wellness is one of the largest employers of students on campus. Each of our facilities and programs is organized and operated by our amazing student employees. Regardless of your passions or experience level, we can help you gain the skills needed to thrive in your employment experience with Butler Recreation & Wellness.
Student Employee Benefits
Community & Mentorship
Employment with Butler Recreation & Wellness offers more than valuable work experience. It fosters leadership development, lasting relationships, and a vibrant sense of belonging within the Butler community.
Training & Development
At Butler Recreation & Wellness, student employees gain more than work experience. They build real-world skills through training, workshops, and hands-on learning. We encourage every team member to take initiative, step into leadership roles, and grow during their time with us.
Enhancing Career Readiness Skills
- Ability to work with diverse populations
- Developing teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
- Improving written and verbal communication skills
- Learning how to consider and apply sustainability when making decisions
- Developing time management skills
- Learning critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict management
Student Employment Positions
Lifeguard
Job Summary
Lifeguards play an essential role in maintaining a safe, clean, and enjoyable environment at Butler University’s Health and Recreation Complex Aquatic Center. Lifeguards provide vigilant surveillance of the pool area, enforce facility policies, and respond promptly and effectively to emergencies. This position also supports daily operations by assisting with water quality checks, maintaining organization on the pool deck, and delivering excellent customer service to all patrons. Lifeguards are expected to demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and a strong commitment to safety while participating in ongoing training and skill development to ensure readiness and continuous improvement.
Job Responsibilities
- Monitor the pool area, enforce facility rules, and respond promptly to emergencies to ensure patron safety.
- Conduct and document routine water quality tests to maintain a clean, safe, and compliant aquatic environment.
- Provide excellent customer service while maintaining organization and cleanliness throughout the aquatic center.
- Participate in regular skills audits and in-service trainings to enhance professional readiness, safety awareness, and team performance.
Learning Outcomes
Lifeguards will gain real-world experience in risk management, emergency response, teamwork, and customer service while maintaining a safe and engaging aquatic environment. Through daily operations and ongoing trainings, individuals will strengthen their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, learning to remain calm and effective under pressure. This position provides valuable professional development and prepares students for future roles that require responsibility, collaboration, and sound decision-making in dynamic, safety-focused settings.
Requirements
Current American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification or the ability to obtain prior to employment via skills assessment and official American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course
Important Information
- Pay: $12/hour
- Minimum 2 hours per week work commitment required
- Flexible schedule
- Certification fees and continuing education provided
Swim Instructor
Job Summary
Swim Instructors provide engaging, high-quality swim instruction using the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) Swim School and Stroke School curriculum. Instructors create a safe, supportive learning environment that fosters confidence and skill development in swimmers of all ages. Responsibilities include teaching lessons, ensuring participant safety, maintaining accurate records, and communicating effectively with parents and guardians. This position also supports program improvement efforts and reflects the mission and values of Butler Recreation & Wellness while developing valuable leadership and teaching skills.
Job Responsibilities
- Teach individual and group swim lessons using the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) Swim School and Stroke School curriculum.
- Ensure participant safety and maintain a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
- Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding participant progress and class updates.
- Collaborate with aquatic staff to prepare materials, track attendance, and enhance program quality.
Learning Outcomes
Swim Instructors will develop strong teaching, communication, and leadership skills while gaining hands-on experience in aquatic education and safety. They will learn to manage groups effectively, adapt instruction to different learning styles, and build confidence in diverse swimmers. Through collaboration with peers and supervisors, instructors will enhance their professionalism, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in delivering quality programs within a dynamic recreation environment.
Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate strong swimming skills and a passion for teaching. A current Starfish Swim Instructor certification—or willingness to obtain one through Butler University prior to employment—is required, with previous experience in swim instruction or aquatic leadership preferred.
Important Information
- Pay: $14/hour
- Lessons conducted in the evening (Monday–Thursday, 6:00–8:00 PM)
- Instructor training provided
- Certification fees and continuing education provided
Fitness Floor Assistant
Job Summary
The Fitness Floor Assistant strives to live out the vision, mission, and core values of the Office of Recreation & Wellness through maintaining a clean and safe environment, as well as personal interactions with the Butler community to foster a sense of belonging and well-being to everyone that passes through our doors. The Fitness Floor Assistants are responsible for creating a safe and clean fitness environment by assisting in the day-to-day operations of the fitness spaces of the Health and Recreation Complex by cleaning and maintaining equipment and facilities, engaging in open communication with participants, and enhancing safety through policy education.
Job Responsibilities
- Promote a safe, clean, and functional exercise environment.
- Act as a resource for participants on programs and services offered by the Office of Recreation & Wellness.
- Provide great customer service to our members, including educating on and enforcing policies.
- Work cooperatively with other areas of the department to achieve established goals.
- Follow all guidelines for routine cleaning, inspection, and preventive maintenance on exercise equipment as laid out in the Fitness Floor Assistant manual and daily checklists.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate understanding of the need for effective communication in the workplace.
- Showcase RecWell’s values and expectations in the experiential employment position.
- Identify and determine effective solutions to workplace problems in the experiential employment position.
- Identify barriers and challenges others may experience and can relay this information to managers.
Requirements
- Current Butler student, or one that is within one semester of graduation
- Displays strong communication skills to effectively interact with participants and other HRC employees
- CPR/AED/First Aid certified or able to attend HRC-provided class within 30 days of hiring date
- Able to complete all job-related functions
Important Information
- Pay: $12/hour
Group Fitness Instructor
Job Summary
Group Fitness Instructors strive to live out the vision, mission, and core values of the Office of Recreation & Wellness through fun and interactive and encouraging group experiences that can improve overall health, fitness, and well-being. This is a position in which the Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) is expected to lead a group of participants through group fitness classes. The GFI creatively designs classes that are safe for participants, including proper use of equipment and movement.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide great customer service to our members, including answering questions and providing nonjudgmental and inclusive exercise experience.
- Design classes that are safe for participants by providing exercise cues, modifications, constructive feedback, and motivation.
- Keep track of and recertify all certifications in a timely manner.
- Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings.
- Work cooperatively with other areas of the department to achieve established goals. Instructors have the opportunity to teach a variety of formats, based on their knowledge, personal experience, and certifications they may have.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate understanding of the need for effective communication in the workplace.
- Display Butler and RecWell’s culture of well-being, including the pursuit of health and wellness, in the experiential employment position.
- Display the ability to work with and serve diverse communities and populations.
Requirements
- Nationally recognized certifications such as Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), or another reputable organization
- CPR/AED/First Aid certified or able to attend HRC-provided class within 30 days of hiring date
Important Information
- Pay: $15/hour
Personal Trainer
Job Summary
Personal Trainers strive to live out the vision, mission, and core values of the Office of Recreation & Wellness through creating relationships with the Butler community to increase the accessibility of physical activity by acting as a resource of knowledge of safe and enjoyable movement. Personal Trainers assess, discuss, motivate, and teach clients how to improve their physical fitness and well-being, and reinforce healthy habits through a client-centered approach where the trainer and client move collaboratively through the client’s fitness and wellness journey.
Job Responsibilities
- Interact with client(s) with no judgment, striving to ensure that they have a positive and safe experience.
- Maintain at least two clients throughout tenure of employment.
- Maintain open communication with clients to set client sessions and ensure that the trainer can answer any questions the client may have.
- Run each session in accordance with the client’s specific goals, and adjust session intensities to adapt to each client’s physical capabilities.
- Attend all staff meetings and trainings.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the need for development of universal career readiness skills for your future career readiness.
- Articulate understanding of the need for effective communication in the workplace.
- Identify and determine effective solutions to workplace problems in the experiential employment position.
- Display the ability to work with and serve diverse communities and populations.
Requirements
- Nationally recognized personal training certification (ACE, ACSM, NASM, NSCA, etc.)
- CPR/AED/First Aid certification
- Displays strong communication skills to effectively interact with participants and other HRC employees
- Able to complete all job-related functions
Important Information
- Pay: $15/hour
IM Official
Job Summary
The Recreation & Wellness team is seeking dependable, confident, and sports-minded individuals to serve as Intramural Sports Officials for a variety of intramural activities. IM Officials play a vital role in creating a fun, fair, and safe environment for all participants by enforcing game rules, managing contests, and ensuring sportsmanship, and safety throughout each event.
Job Responsibilities
- Officiate intramural contests to ensure fair play, safety, and sportsmanship.
- Enforce game rules and respond appropriately to conflicts or incidents.
- Provide excellent customer service and communication with participants.
- Assist with setup, breakdown, and organization of equipment and facilities.
- Participate in officials’ trainings and ongoing staff development sessions.
Learning Outcomes
- Intramural Sports Officials will obtain hands-on experience in managing competitive environments, promoting fair play, and fostering positive participant interactions. Through officiating and collaboration, individuals will strengthen their confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills in a dynamic and team-oriented setting.
Requirements
- Must be able to attend the Annual All Staff Training at the start of the each fall semester.
- Must successfully complete a background check.
- American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification within 30 days of hire.
Important Information
- Pay: $12/hour
- Flexible schedule
Graphic Design & Marketing Specialist
Job Summary
This position will support the promotion of Butler University Recreation & Wellness programs, events, and services to the campus community. This position focuses on creating engaging content for social media, developing marketing materials, and assisting with outreach efforts to enhance brand awareness and student participation.
Job Responsibilities
- Assist with planning, creating, and scheduling content for @burecwell’s Instagram and other social media platforms.
- Design flyers, digital graphics, and promotional materials for events, programs, and wellness campaigns.
- Capture and edit photos and videos of Recreation & Wellness activities and facilities.
- Support social media engagement by monitoring comments, responding to messages, and tracking analytics.
- Help coordinate on-campus marketing efforts such as tabling, giveaways, and outreach campaigns.
- Conduct basic market research (student preferences, event feedback) to inform marketing strategies.
- Collaborate with Recreation & Wellness staff to ensure consistent branding and messaging.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain hands-on experience managing social media and digital marketing campaigns for a university department.
- Build a portfolio of marketing materials, campaigns, and content.
- Develop skills in event promotion, brand management, and analytics.
Requirements
- Current Butler University student.
- Majoring or minoring in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, or related field.
- Familiarity with social media platforms, especially Instagram.
- Basic graphic design skills (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Creative, detail-oriented, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
- Basic photography skills preferred.
- Basic video editing skills.
Important Information
- Pay: $12/hour
- 5–10 hours per week
- Hybrid schedule
Membership Services Assistant
Job Summary
The Membership Services Assistant (MSA) supports the Office of Recreation & Wellness by overseeing facility access, handling memberships and program registrations, and ensuring exceptional customer service. This position involves managing fiscal transactions, assisting guests, maintaining facility standards, and enforcing departmental policies to ensure a safe and welcoming environment. MSAs gain hands-on experience in customer service, problem-solving, time management, and operations within a collegiate recreation setting. They report to the Assistant Director of Operations and the Operations Graduate Assistant and may assist with special events, tours, and projects as needed.
Job Responsibilities
- Process all fiscal transactions, memberships, and program registrations.
- Provide excellent customer service to all members and guests.
- Create and maintain a safe, welcoming environment for members and guests.
- Enforce and follow departmental policies and procedures.
- Attend all required meetings and training sessions.
- Make sound, timely decisions aligned with the Department’s mission and vision.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the need for development of universal career readiness skills for future career readiness.
- Recognize the importance of working as a team in the professional environment.
- Display the ability to work with and serve diverse communities and populations.
Requirements
- Must be a currently enrolled Butler University student.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to learn and adhere to departmental policies and procedures.
- Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all members and guests.
Important Information
- Pay: $12/hour
- Minimum 6–10 hours per week
- No certification required
Butler University Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Policy
Butler University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of the student body and our faculty and staff. In addition, hiring and other employment-related decisions are made on the basis of an individual’s qualifications, past experience, overall performance, and other employment-related criteria. It is the policy of the University to provide equal opportunities for employment and advancement for all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, religion, color, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected category.