Swim Instructor

Willamalane Park and Recreation District•Springfield, OR

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Swim Instructor teaches swimming classes for beginner through advanced students, demonstrates and monitors safe swimming skills and techniques, and monitors the safety of students and other community members using swim center facilities. The role includes responding to parents’ or guardians’ questions about student progress and Aquatics programs, maintaining class participation and student progress records, and administering First Aid in an emergency until a Lifeguard takes over care. Instructors attend required in-service training and perform other related duties as needed. Employees must maintain flexible shift availability across facilities according to operational needs and stay responsive to Aquatics leadership about shifts, facility updates, and scheduling. Schedules vary by department needs and are typically set before each school term; employees should be available for at least one consistent session per term. Staff are expected to communicate with colleagues and help cover open shifts. Work is performed under the supervision of an Aquatics Supervisor, with work reviewed primarily through direct observation and feedback from the Aquatics Programming Coordinator, participants, and/or parents. Supervision of others is not normally part of this position. This is a part-time, non-exempt, non-benefitted position. The anticipated start date is December 18, 2026. The application closing date is December 7, 2026, at 5 p.m. Because the role is considered safety-sensitive, a drug screen is required before employment. First Aid, CPR, and AED certification (or the ability to obtain it), as well as completion of the district’s internal swim instructor training, are required. Reciprocity is available for current ARC Water Safety Instructors.

Requirements

Knowledge of water safety, swim instruction, basic lifesaving methods, first aid, and emergency procedures.
Swimming skills and techniques, including the ability to teach and demonstrate them.
Ability to communicate directions verbally and by demonstration; work effectively with people of all ages; create a positive learning environment; respond calmly and effectively in emergencies; interpret and implement swim center policies; and monitor facility safety.
Any satisfactory combination of experience and training demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, First Aid, CPR, and AED certification.
Successful completion of Willamalane Park and Recreation District’s internal swim instructor training; reciprocity is available for current ARC Water Safety Instructors.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing for the work period, frequent bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, pushing or pulling the tot dock, and regularly lifting and towing participants weighing 20–100 pounds.
Ability to frequently lift swim lesson participants ages 3–8, weighing 20–80 pounds, from the pool deck into the water, and regularly move materials and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, which may be significantly heavier when wet.
A pre-employment drug screen is required because the role is safety-sensitive.
Employees should be available to work at least one consistent session per term and assist with shift coverage as needed.

Nice To Haves

Spanish speaking is preferred; a bilingual rate adjustment is contingent upon passing a proficiency test.

Responsibilities

Teach swimming classes using appropriate lesson plans for beginner through advanced students.
Demonstrate swimming skills and techniques and monitor that students perform them properly and safely.
Monitor the safety of students and other community members using swim center facilities.
Respond to parents’ and guardians’ questions about student progress and Aquatics programs and activities.
Read and stay current on departmental communications and directives from Aquatics leadership, and promptly respond to calls and texts about shifts, facility updates, and scheduling.
Maintain records of class participation and student progress.
Administer First Aid in an emergency until a Lifeguard takes over care.
Attend and participate in all in-service trainings.
Maintain flexible availability across facilities and help coordinate or provide coverage for open shifts.
Perform other job-related duties as required.

Benefits

Paid sick leave accrual beginning on the date of hire at one hour for every 30 hours worked; part-time staff may use sick leave beginning on their 91st day of employment.
Annual cost-of-living increase of up to 4%, as approved by the Board.
Merit increase of 3% upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, with increases of up to 3% annually thereafter as approved by the Board.
Additional $1 per hour for successfully passing a Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL) competency test.
Discount on selected childcare programs, subject to policy restrictions.
25% discount on certain recreation programs.
Free employee use of pools for lap and play swim; household-member discount.
Free employee use of the fitness center; household-member discount.
Free wellness programs for the employee.
Payroll direct deposit is available.