Swim Instructor

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides skill-based swim and water safety instruction to people of all ages. Maintains constant supervision of students to ensure safety. Creates positive, nurturing relationships with students and builds cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all students in program. Facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall program experience. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Provides swimming and water safety instruction to students of all ages and abilities
• Plans and implements program activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, and consistent with YMCA values 
• Helps to create new approaches to serve the needs of program participants
• Adheres to program standards, including safety and cleanliness standards, and ensures consistency with evidence-based practices
• Maintains constant supervision of students, identifies students who need assistance, and supports students as necessary to ensure a positive learning environment
• Attends staff meetings and trainings  
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies
• Maintains positive relationships with parents and caregivers and other staff. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age of 15
• Demonstrated ability to recognize students who may need assistance
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and remedy hazardous and dangerous situations
• Demonstrated ability to swim in shallow and deep water and tread water 
• Patience and the ability to communicate with all ages and levels of students, parents and caregivers, and other Y staff and volunteers

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Lift equipment and a small- to average-size child.
• Remain in the pool area at all times. 
• Remain alert, with no lapses of consciousness, in a warm environment with air temperatures of 80 degrees or higher.
• Recognize distress signals. 
• Support child or adult body weight in the water. 
• Remain in water ranging from 80–90 degrees for one to four hours. 
• Communicate verbally, including projecting voice across distance, in normal and loud situations.