YMCA Silver Spring Swim Instructor

YMCA Metro Washington • Silver Spring, MD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Swim Instructor teaches group and private swimming lessons at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. The instructor ensures appropriate safety procedures, communicates directions and corrections clearly, and maintains class control and discipline. Instructors must arrive on the pool deck at least five minutes before class, wearing appropriate swim attire, with equipment and attendance roster prepared. They must not leave the class area until students have left or their safety has been transferred to a lifeguard on deck.

The instructor develops lesson plans for each session and provides practical plans for substitutes; a signed substitute slip is required for missed classes. The role includes evaluating stroke technique, updating skill sheets, progress and attendance records after each class, and preparing student evaluations with recommendations about remaining at the current level or advancing. Instructors keep the teaching area uncluttered and return equipment to its proper place, interact with students and parents with enthusiasm, patience, courtesy, tact, and concern, and attend staff and instructor meetings. Other duties may be assigned.

The position has Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, each with different age, experience, and certification requirements. Working conditions include meeting YASA Lifeguarding prerequisites, lifting and moving objects weighing 40 pounds or more, swimming 500 yards, actively teaching in the water, and being able to see and hear participants who are distressed or seeking assistance.

Requirements

• Basic level: At least 16 years of age.
• Basic level: Outgoing personality and ability to relate well to participants of various age groups.
• Basic level: Attentive, multifaceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver; positive mentality.
• Basic level: CPR and First Aid completion cards.
• Basic level: Obtain YMCA Swim Lesson Certification within nine months.
• Intermediate level: At least 17 years of age and two years of experience.
• Intermediate level: Outgoing personality and ability to relate well to participants of various age groups.
• Intermediate level: Attentive, multifaceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver; positive mentality.
• Intermediate level: CPR and First Aid completion cards.
• Intermediate level: One swim lesson certification, such as YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor, Red Cross WSI, or an equivalent from an outside agency; YMCA lifeguard certification is also listed.
• Advanced level: At least 18 years of age.
• Advanced level: Outgoing personality and ability to relate well to participants of various age groups.
• Advanced level: Attentive, multifaceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver; positive mentality.
• Advanced level: CPR and First Aid completion cards.
• Advanced level: Four years of aquatics teaching experience.
• Advanced level: At least two water-instruction certifications from the listed examples or similar certifications; questionable unlisted certifications may be reviewed by the association aquatics director.
• Advanced level: Provide copies of certifications and undergo reference checks.
• Meet all prerequisites for YASA Lifeguarding.
• Ability to lift and move objects weighing 40 pounds or more.
• Ability to swim 500 yards.
• Ability to actively teach the YMCA swim program in the water.
• Ability to see and hear participants in distress or asking for assistance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure adequate safety procedures are in place for each class.
• Communicate directions and corrections clearly and concisely.
• Maintain class control and discipline.
• Arrive on the pool deck at least five minutes before class in appropriate swim attire, with equipment and attendance roster ready.
• Remain with the class until students have left or their safety has been transferred to a department lifeguard on deck.
• Develop lesson plans for each class session and practical lesson plans for substitutes; complete and sign a substitute slip for missed classes.
• Evaluate participants’ stroke technique.
• Keep skill sheets, student progress records, and attendance records up to date after each class.
• Prepare student evaluations with comments and recommendations about remaining in the current level or moving to the next level.
• Teach group and private lessons.
• Keep the teaching area uncluttered and return instructional equipment to its proper place.
• Interact with class members and parents with enthusiasm, patience, courtesy, tact, and concern.
• Attend and participate in staff and instructor meetings.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• 10% employer-funded retirement plan, with vesting after two years of service or 1,000 compensated hours in each of those years
• 403(b) savings plan
• High-quality, affordable healthcare
• Free YMCA membership for the employee, spouse, and dependents
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee benefits and discounts from banks, credit unions, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Dell, Veterinary Pet Insurance, supplemental insurance providers, Vision Care, LegalShield, and Zipcar

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed