YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City·Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Swim Instructor is responsible for providing leadership to all instructional areas of the Aquatic Program while ensuring the safety of all participants through constant alertness and readiness to perform rescues. Duties include preparing and teaching classes according to YMCA objectives, maintaining required documentation, and fostering a fun, positive atmosphere.
Description Everyone knows the pool is the coolest place to be in the summer.
Join our Aquatics Team to make sure everyone can enjoy the pool in a safe and welcoming environment.
Whether you’re a lifeguard, a swim instructor, or a little bit of both, you’re going to love working in aquatics at the Y because you’re helping swimmers feel confident and gain experience in the water.
No lifeguard experience?
No problem, we’ll train you!
To provide leadership to all instructional areas of the Aquatic Program, while maintaining safety of all program participants.
Must be mentally alert to dangerous situations in order to assure safety of all swimmers. Must be able to move with the use of both arms and legs and to properly use aquatic equipment to rescue a 200-pound person. Must posses a cooperative spirit committed to character development by promoting and demonstrating caring, honesty, respect and responsibility to staff, lay leaders, YMCA members, program participants and the general public. Must enjoy working with youth of all ages and abilities. Ability to relate to pool patrons in a positive manner. All instructional classes will be taught to the program objectives of the YMCA Swim Lessons. Instructional classes will promote the Mission of the YMCA. Able to move to various locations, including in and around the swimming pool and an elevated lifeguard station. Able to communicate verbally, including projecting the voice across distances. Able to handle irate, complaining individuals without internalizing or personalizing comments made. Remain physically able to demonstrate and perform rescue and lifesaving skills. Responsible for safety of all program participants in and around the pool. Responsible for preparing and teaching classes. The use of lesson plans and session plans are required. All required documentation of class attendance and skill completion will be kept current each class. Responsible for notifying Aquatic Coordinator or Aquatic Director when cannot be at a scheduled class and for finding a qualified teaching substitute. Must be in the water at least fifty percent of the time for an upper level class and one hundred percent for lower level class. Responsible for being on duty ten minutes before class is to start and on deck five minutes before the class begins (all equipment for the class is out and ready). Responsible for attending all swimming instructor staff meetings. Responsible for evaluating swimming lesson participants, preparing progress reports and distributing certificates and reports at last class. All progress reports are to be reviewed by Aquatic Director or Aquatic Coordinator prior to last class. Responsible for the fun and positive atmosphere of the swim class. Responsible for keeping appropriate certifications current. Develop meaningful and sustainable relationships with members, donors and volunteers.
This position affects the overall YMCA Instructional Swim Classes. When done properly, the Program will have a positive and safe atmosphere for each participant
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Must stay current in CPR/AED/O2 and First Aid, renewed annually. (Training provided by the Y, if needed) Must complete all required Annual Compliance Trainings within 30 days of hire and renewed annually. Must be 16 years of age and show technical ability in swim skill instruction. Proficient and demonstration quality swimming skills and safety skills. Must have personal characteristics consistent with the Character Development Core Values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Ability to communicate with a variety of ages. Should possess a current YMCA Lifeguard or YMCA Instructor Safety Assistant (YISA), or certification by another nationally recognized organization. Must become certified as a YMCA Swim Instructor within six months of employment or when training is offered.
Market context
In Oklahoma, swim instructor openings often attract candidates with strong water-safety skills and current CPR/AED/First Aid credentials, especially when youth instruction and YMCA values are part of the role. This position is competitive because it requires both demonstrable swimming ability and a commitment to earning YMCA Swim Instructor certification within six months. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your certifications and be ready to speak to your teaching approach and safety mindset.