REPORTS TO: Tennis Director
DIVISION: Facility Services
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
WORK HOURS: 10-25 hr./week combination of weekday/weekends, mornings & evenings
SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Tennis Director, the Tennis Professional is responsible for teaching private and group tennis lessons and for substitute teaching as needed. The Tennis Professional may also coach travel teams; coach junior development lessons; coach junior teams; plan, develop, organize and run leagues, events, activities and tournaments; string and repair tennis racquets; and other tennis related activities. This position may either be a full time or part time position.
QUALIFICATIONS
- The Tennis Professional must be a high school graduate with at least three years of varsity high school and/or two years of junior college, college, and/or USTA tournament tennis experience.
- A minimum of two years teaching, or four seasons academic team coaching experience in tennis is required.
- Experience as a club tennis professional, park district program tennis instructor or director, high school or college coach, district or higher USTA ranking, or in running tennis events or tournaments is desired.
- USPTA and/or Tennis Registry membership preferred. A two year or four-year college degree is a plus.
- Current CPR/AED Certification
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
The Tennis Professional must possess a sound understanding of the game of tennis and generally accepted methods of tennis instruction of strokes, strategy, and competition. The Tennis Professional must know how to give private and group tennis lessons to both small and large groups of all ages. The Tennis Professional must also have a good understanding of club league, ladies travel team, junior development, event and activities, and tournament operations. Knowledge of pro shop operations, retail sales, park district tennis program operations, racquet stringing and repair, and the indoor tennis business is desirable.
REQUIRED SKILLS
The Tennis Professional must be a skilled tennis teacher who is able to comfortably teach private, small group, and large group tennis lessons. In addition, the Tennis Professional must be able to run tennis events and activities, run tournaments, coach ladies travel teams, coach junior development lessons, and be comfortable in making calls to members to promote club lessons, activities, etc. Good communication skills both in person and on the phone are required. Good "people skills," organizational skills, and sales skills are desired. The ability to string and re-grip tennis racquets is a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Strenuous physical activity is required of the Tennis Professional each day. While in season 44 to 46 weeks per year, the Tennis Pro will teach up to 25 hours per week depending upon his/her schedule. Teaching involves standing and feeding tennis balls, running, jogging, stretching to hit, speaking in a loud voice, demonstrating strokes or play situations, instructing, and playing tennis. Lessons may be taught in very hot, humid weather outdoors, or hot, humid conditions indoors, or more pleasant conditions. When the Tennis Professional is not teaching, he/she will be typically sitting at a desk doing clerical work, making telephone calls, or doing other paperwork. The Tennis Professional will also substitute in tennis leagues and may stand for two-to-six-hour periods while teaching lessons, running events or tournaments.
TENNIS TEACHING DUTIES
- Teach quality private, small group, large group, junior development, and/or travel team lessons as scheduled by the Tennis Director. All ages and abilities are taught.
- Full time pros teach between 30 and 35 hours per week during season. Part time pros may teach between 3 and 28 hours per week during season. The Tennis Director determines teaching hours and assignments.
- Substitute teaches when required by the Tennis Director.
- Teach evening, weekend, and holiday hours on a regular basis to meet program needs.
- Be on time, take attendance, and observe on court safety procedures for all lessons.
- Participate in required club and park district staff meetings, training sessions and safety trainings.
OFF COURT DUTIES
- The full time Tennis Professional works approximately 5 hours off court per week as scheduled by the Tennis Director.
- The Tennis Professional maintains a reasonable off court presence and is available to assist members.
- The Tennis Professional may perform any of the following as assigned by the Tennis Director:
- Runs or assists in running leagues, events, activities or tournaments.
- Assists with administrative, computer, and clerical needs of lesson/league program or other club departments.
- Strings and re-grips tennis racquets.
- Accompanies adult or junior teams to matches to observe and coach.
- Undertakes special projects as assigned by the Tennis Director or Club Manager such as doing club surveys, going to trade shows, going to special meetings, etc.
- The full time Tennis Professional is expected to work 37.5 hours per week in the off season as well as during season, filling time previously used to teach with other projects assigned by the Tennis Director or Club Manager such as clerical work, special projects, and running special clinics, events, tournaments, etc.
- Follows all safety policies and procedures, and works to maintain clean, attractive facilities at the club.