Lifeguard and Swim Instructors

Keeping People Safe Around Water for 165 Years

Opportunities to work as a lifeguard, a swim instructor, or both!

The YMCA of Metro Chicago is hiring Lifeguards and Swim Instructors!

Salary range starts at $15.86 per hour

Flexible scheduling opportunities

Earn a $600* sign-on bonus!

*New hires will receive a $300 sign-on bonus upon achievement of your lifeguard certification, provided you are an active employee working as a lifeguard or swim instructor at the time of payout. Earn another $300 retention bonus after 6 months of active as a Lifeguard or Swim Instructor. 

Do you enjoy…

• Making lifelong friendships?
• Having life-saving skills that give you the ability to keep others safe?
• Meeting new people and working with other team members?
• Creating connections with others and building positive experiences?
• Teaching others how to stay safe in and around water?
• Building skills for the future?

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Paid Training and Free Lifeguard classes.
• Complimentary Family YMCA membership and a 25% employee discount on select programs.
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities.
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees 
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund.
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

What you will do:

• Provide a high-level of customer service to members, program participants and guests at all times.
• Supervise and guard the pool and aquatic facility and ensure participants adhere to all YMCA aquatic guidelines and procedures.
• Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
• Perform appropriate water rescues, when necessary, using rescue techniques and equipment.
• Contact emergency medical personal in case of serious injury.
• Actively participate in obtaining further water safety certifications.
• Attend all in-service trainings and staff meetings as scheduled by supervisor or center leadership team.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification training or have current YMCA or American Red Cross certification as well as current First Aid, AED, CPR and Oxygen Administration certifications.
• Physical mobility to properly use aquatic equipment to rescue a 200 lb. person and meet other physical requirements required for job certification. 
• Must be mentally alert to dangerous situations in order to assure the safety of all swimmers.
• Must be physically and mentally able to respond to emergencies and administer CPR and First Aid effectively.
• Ability to meet physical requirements based on job description.
• The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disability.
• Effectively implements YMCA swim curricula for various levels and populations depending on class needs as outlined by the standards of the YMCA. (Swim Instructors)
• Prepares progressive lesson plans to enhance the experience of program participants. (Swim Instructors)
• Prepares reports and maintains records, including attendance records, skills sheets, progress reports, etc. (Swim Instructors)
• Enforces aquatic rules and policies by maintaining constant surveillance of class participants. (Swim Instructors)
• Sets up facility or equipment, and stores equipment upon completion of class. Immediately notifies supervisor of any broken equipment or unsafe aspects of the pool. (Swim Instructors) 

Child Abuse Prevention: Support the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor.
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children.
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required.

Salary : $16 - $600