Swim Group Instructor-Aquatics
About The Position
Teaches YMCA swim lesson program classes while maintaining safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas. Creates a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes member safety and engagement in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. The instructor teaches classes of up to 12 children, teaches in the water for every class, and supports student learning and progress through instruction, feedback, motivation, and appropriate class organization. The role also includes monitoring swimmers continuously for safety, maintaining class records, cleaning the area after lessons, attending required meetings and training, and meeting scheduling and coverage expectations.
Requirements
- Minimum age of 16 years.
- Proven knowledge of various swim strokes and teaching levels.
- Must be able to teach freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, elements of butterfly, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke.
- Strong vocal ability to project instruction clearly during lessons.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Must achieve YSL or American Red Cross certification within the first year of teaching swim lessons.
- Ability to swim at least four laps (200 yards) of freestyle and perform a scissor kick (sidestroke) or breaststroke kick.
- Must be willing and able to teach in the water for each class and enter and exit the pool without assistance.
- Must be able to remain alert and hear noises and distinguish distress signals.
- Ability to lift up to 55 lbs.
- Ability to communicate verbally and project voice across distance in normal and loud situations.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience teaching swim lessons preferred.
Responsibilities
- Teach YMCA swim lesson program classes of up to 12 children, teaching in the water for every class.
- Teach the correct skills for the class level and evaluate student progress based on criteria.
- Communicate clearly with students, check their understanding, and provide feedback on activities.
- Use positive motivation and teachable moments to support character development and address behavior appropriately.
- Maintain visual supervision of all students at all times, never turning away from the class, and be prepared to stop dangerous behavior.
- Build effective, positive relationships with members, participants, and other staff.
- Use varied organizational patterns, teaching aids, equipment, and games to maximize swim time and smoothly transition between activities.
- Balance individual instruction with opportunities for students to practice independently.
- Keep attendance, class records, and assigned records current, accurate, and organized.
- Clean the area after every swim lesson class.
- Attend all required staff meetings, training, and in-service sessions.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early for every shift and accurately record time worked.
- Find coverage and make contact ahead of time when unable to work a scheduled shift.
- Substitute for other employees or work beyond the assigned shift when needed to ensure safety and proper coverage.
- Accommodate an alternate swim lesson date in the event of pool closure.
- For private swim instruction, complete an accurate private lesson timesheet at the end of each workday.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
