The Swim Instructor teaches swimming skills and water safety to diverse age groups while developing tailored lesson plans. They ensure a safe learning environment through constant supervision and maintain positive relationships with participants and parents.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be at least 15 years old and hold YMCA Swim Instructor certification or an equivalent. Required certifications include CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration, along with the ability to swim and tread water in deep water.
The Swim Instructor teaches swimming skills and water safety techniques to individuals or groups of various ages and skill levels. They develop lesson plans tailored to learners' needs, provide clear instruction and encouragement, and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. The instructor monitors progress, offers feedback, and works closely with participants and parents to promote confidence and skill development in the water.
Salary Range
$23.00 - 25.00/hour
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
Complete required abuse prevention training.
Supervise high-risk activities responsibly and report any unsafe or inappropriate behavior.
Follow mandated reporting laws for suspected abuse.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Other duties and responsibilities assigned by supervisor
Work environment
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.
Qualifications
Minimum age of 15
Basic life support or professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration certifications and child abuse prevention training within 30 days of hire date
YMCA Swim Instructor certification or equivalent
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
Ymca competencies
Communication & Influence
Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's cause.
Inclusion
Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
Critical Thinking & Decision Making
Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgement.
Functional Expertise
Executes superior technical skills for the role.
Program/Project Management
Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
Developing Self & Others
Develops self and supports others (e.g.: staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
Emotional Maturity
Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
Market context
California classroom teachers remain in steady demand
In California, classroom teacher roles often stay competitive because licensed centers look for candidates who can show early childhood classroom leadership, lesson planning, and readiness to meet state compliance steps such as background checks and immunizations. This posting’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review the role faster and save research time. If you are considering applying, confirm your 12 ECE units and recent classroom experience before submitting.
