Learn, Grow and Thrive with a Career at the Y
Imagine going to work knowing that what you do each day positively affects the lives of the people in your community. Working at the Y, you’ll discover more than a job—you’ll enjoy a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.

General Function:   
Under the direct supervision of the Aquatics Director, the Adaptive Swim Instructor is to provide the safest possible environment for YMCA members and participants in the pool area while teaching appropriate skills according to the YMCA guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Swim instructors must have the ability to teach a wide range of levels and abilities.  They must be able to supervise swimmers, minimize dangers, educate members about water safety, enforce rules and regulations, prepare records and reports, and give assistance whenever needed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum age of 16
• Certifications: CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, Basic First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen, YMCA Lifeguarding or Red Cross Lifeguarding, YSL or WSI swim lesson certification, all preferred but can be obtained upon hire.
• Swim Angelfish Level 1 training completed within 1 month of start date
• Ability to maintain certification – level of physical and mental readiness.
• Must demonstrate instructional & swimming skills in accordance with YMCA or Red Cross standards.
• Calm, patient, flexible, creative and empathic
• Prior experience working with various populations in the adapted space, including children with special needs
• Able to use a gentle yet effective approach when working, specifically being able to adjust/be flexible with different cultures, personalities, aptitudes and attentional levels
• High school education or equivalent
• Candidates with Bilingual skills are encouraged to apply

Physical Demands:

• Ability to pass lifeguard water test.
• Ability to tread water for a minimum of 2 minutes.
• Ability to demonstrate proper technique of 4 out of 6 strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle, Sidestroke or Elementary Backstroke).
• Must be able to remain alert.
• Adequate ability to hear noises and distinguish distress signals.
• Meet strength and lifting requirements necessary for removal from water rescues.
• Ability to communicate verbally, including projecting voice across distance in normal and loud situations.

Essential Functions

• Acts as role-model for staff, operating at the highest standards and assisting less experienced staff meet these standards.
• Helps to train new staff members.
• Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants and other staff.

Swim Inclusion Program

• Creates a safe, supportive environment which fosters confidence and skill development
• Ensures safety of all swimmers by preventative measures and minimizing hazardous situations
• Teaches swimming techniques and water safety skills to neuro-divergent
• Establishes individual swim goals, identifies roadblocks, addresses challenges, and helps swimmers meet swim skill benchmarks to assist in water safety, increase leisure skills, and overall swim skills in children.
• Classes may be individual or group sessions.
• Maintains discretion, builds trust and fosters self-confidence; adapts approach as needed to meet unique needs of each swimmer
• Provides ongoing, effective communication with supervisor regarding all classes and programming
• Maintains class records
• Manages equipment used for sessions
• Recognize and respond according to protocols in emergency situations
• Other duties as assigned

Swim Instructor Duties

• Be properly dressed and on deck ready to work
• Ensure the safety of members and participants by enforcing established pool, diving and lap rules.
• Responsible for punching in/out for each assigned shift.
• Responsible to keep certifications current. Notify supervisor when they need to be recertified.
• Responsible for securing substitutes to cover scheduled shifts in the case of an absence and document/report coverage to supervisor.
• Inform members and program participants in a professional manner.
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings and trainings.
• Begin and end class on time.
• Take attendance at the beginning of each class.
• Explain pool rules, aquatic policies, and instructional plan to parents and participants.
• Distribute level slips to participants prior to the following session’s registration dates.
• Maintain lesson plans/skill sheets in such a manner that a trained substitute can perform your duties in your absence.
• Keep record of progress, fill out progress reports and distribute on the last day of class.
• Teach according to the YMCA of the USA national guidelines for swimming.
• Responsible for all information in the Aquatic Manual.
• Responsible for setting out and picking up equipment before and after class.
• Stay focused during class, no lounging or socializing.
• Never leave a class unattended.
• Never send a child into the locker room unsupervised. Bathroom breaks should be handled by parent/guardian.
• Ensure each child exits the water and enters the care of a parent/guardian after class.
• Support the lifeguard team in the event of an emergency.
• Report facility needs, pool activities or staffing concerns directly to Aquatics Director with appropriate verbal or written communication.
• Perform other appropriate duties asked by management.

Schedule:

Part time. Schedule is based on the 7-8 week swim lesson terms. Weekday afternoons and weekends preferred.