Adaptive Swim Instructors

Springfield JCC•Springfield, MA

About The Position

The Adaptive Swim Instructor provides high-quality swim lessons to participants with a wide variety of physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. The instructor uses knowledge of swimming strokes, stroke development, and water safety to adapt lessons to each participant’s needs and abilities. The role calls for patience, enthusiasm, reliability, organization, and a passion for aquatics and teaching, along with strong customer service and communication skills when working with participants, families, staff, and the public. In keeping with the Springfield JCC’s service expectations, the instructor helps members, guests, and visitors have a positive experience. Instructors assess participant progress, communicate lesson skills and level expectations, coordinate schedules with families, uphold water-safety rules, and maintain lesson equipment. They are also expected to continue engaging with educational materials related to Adaptive Aquatics.

Requirements

Reliable, professional, and passionate about aquatics.
Able to motivate people from different backgrounds and provide constructive feedback on progress.
Proven knowledge of swimming strokes and the mechanics involved in teaching each stroke.
Able to adapt lessons to participants’ needs and abilities, using adaptive tools and equipment as appropriate.
Positive attitude and ability to work independently, with the Aquatics team, and with the wider Health and Wellness team.
Proven track record of providing high-quality swim lesson services to a wide variety of populations.
Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications for infant/child and adult.
Current swim lesson certification from an organization recognized in the swim lesson field.

Nice To Haves

Background or experience in Special Education, Adaptive P.E., OT, PT, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Teach participants with a variety of abilities, including Autism, Down Syndrome, developmental and intellectual delays, and Cerebral Palsy.
Provide high-quality swim lessons using recognized, effective, and relevant skills and techniques in the aquatics industry.
Assess each participant’s performance during lessons and provide feedback.
Redeem participant swim lessons using the JCC software system.
Communicate skills learned at the end of each lesson to families and participants.
Communicate level expectations and goals to families, participants, and instructors.
Communicate with families in a timely manner to create lesson schedules.
Communicate effectively with students and ensure water-safety rules are followed.
Continuously monitor students to prevent accidents and injuries.
Establish ground rules for swimmers and family members during sessions.
Maintain and organize swim lesson equipment.
Build meaningful relationships with members, staff, and the public through excellent customer service and communication.
Regularly engage with educational materials related to Adaptive Aquatics.