Aquatic Lead: Swim Instructor

Whatcom Family YMCA•Bellingham, WA

10d•$22 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Swim Instructor teaches swim lessons while serving as a go-to leader and resource for instructors during assigned shifts. The role models engaging, safe, and effective instruction; provides class coverage as needed; and helps ensure a consistent, high-quality YMCA swim lesson experience. The Lead Swim Instructor coaches and mentors fellow instructors through hands-on support, positive feedback, demonstrations, onboarding, and interactive in-service trainings. In coordination with the Aquatics Director, the role helps identify training opportunities and match instructors with appropriate classes. The position supports swimmers of all ages and abilities, promotes skill progression and water safety, communicates with families about swimmer progress, and helps maintain a safe, organized, and welcoming pool environment. It promotes YMCA values, teamwork, inclusion, and positive experiences for participants and families.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Current CPR/AED/First Aid certifications are required.
At least one year of successful swim instruction experience.
Strong working knowledge of swim lesson curriculum, skill progressions, class management, water safety, and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
Ability to demonstrate swim skills and teaching techniques and coach peers with confidence, respect, and professionalism.
Strong communication and customer service skills with children, adults, families, and coworkers.
Ability to assess instructional needs and provide constructive, actionable feedback while understanding the distinction between leadership and formal supervision.
Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
Completion of YMCA-required Child Abuse Prevention and other assigned trainings within required timelines.
Ability to demonstrate swim lesson skills and safely enter, exit, and work in shallow and deep water as required by assigned classes.
Ability to remain in the pool or on the pool deck for extended periods and maintain visual and auditory awareness of participants.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and move safely on wet pool decks and in aquatic environments.
Ability to lift and move instructional equipment and provide physical support to participants when appropriate to instruction and safety.
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor or other YMCA-approved swim instruction certification is preferred; otherwise, certification is required within an established timeframe.
Prior experience in a lead, trainer, mentor, or peer-coaching role is preferred.
Experience with YMCA swim lesson curriculum is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a go-to leader and resource for swim instructors during assigned shifts.
Model engaging, safe, and effective swim instruction.
Teach swim lessons and provide class coverage when needed.
Help ensure classes deliver a consistent, high-quality YMCA swim lesson experience.
Coach and encourage instructors through hands-on support, feedback, and demonstrations.
Welcome and train new instructors through shadowing, co-teaching, and ongoing support.
Lead interactive in-service trainings to help instructors develop their skills and confidence.
Work with the Aquatics Director to identify training opportunities and match instructors with classes.
Help swimmers of all ages and abilities feel safe, supported, and engaged in learning.
Support consistent skill progression and celebrate swimmer milestones.
Build positive relationships with families and communicate about swimmer progress.
Help maintain a safe, organized, and welcoming pool environment.
Promote YMCA values, teamwork, inclusion, and water safety.