The Swim Instructor is responsible for planning and teaching aquatic lessons while ensuring the safety and supervision of all pool participants. Additional duties include maintaining facility cleanliness, tracking attendance, and promoting YMCA values and programs.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be at least 16 years old and hold current certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED, and O2. A YMCA Swim Certification or WSI is preferred, and the instructor must be physically capable of teaching aquatic lessons.
professional certificateCommunicationRecord KeepingCPRRecruitmentLesson PlanningSafety EnforcementFirst AidStudent EvaluationSwim InstructionAEDOxygen AdministrationPool Supervision
Job description
Program/Department responsiblilties
Wear appropriate aquatic attire including identifiable instructor shirt and bathing suit.
Provide friendly, courteous, safe service to all members, clients, and volunteers of the Y.
Prepare lesson plans for assigned classes.
Instruct assigned classes.
Maintain communication with class participants and parents.
Explain class and pool procedures to program participants.
Evaluate swimming levels and prepare certificates.
Attend all staff meetings and trainings.
Maintain updated certifications as required by OCY.
Keep accurate attendance and class records.
Distribute and collect parent evaluations at assigned times with results given to Aquatic Coordinator.
Actively recruit members for OCY.
Promote the values of the YMCA’s Character Development of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
Communicate to all program participants and all members all program and membership promotions.
1. Supervision of personnel
Establish and maintain supervision of pool area and swimmers.
Enforce pool rules to staff and all swimmers.
1. Fiscal responsibilities
• Adhere to all fiscal policies and procedures of the Old Colony Y.
1. Facility/Housekeeping responsibilities
Keep accurate air and water test records.
Check all safety equipment, reporting any problems in writing to supervisor.
Properly open and close pool as scheduled.
Security and safety of pool area never leaving area unattended or unlocked.
Cleanliness of pool areas during assigned hours, ensuring pool area is neat and clean at all times, reporting all problems in writing to supervisor.
Participate in interdivisional job assignments as requested.
Promote Y programs by maintaining a positive, supportive and cooperative attitude.
Ymca leadership competencies - Leader
Mission Advancement
Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.
Collaboration
Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness
Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth
Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
1. Education/Experience/Physical requirements
Minimum 16 years of age.
Must have current certification in: CPR, First Aid, AED, and O2.
Must complete 7 hours in-service YMCA Swimming Lesson Training.
Lifeguard, YMCA Swim Certification and/or WSI preferred.
Need to acquire YMCA Swim Certification within 6 months.
Must be able to perform all physical tasks as a Swim Instructor to include teaching Aquatic lessons.
Complete program specific and employee orientation training by required timeline.
Qualifications
Program/Department responsiblilties
Wear appropriate aquatic attire including identifiable instructor shirt and bathing suit.
Provide friendly, courteous, safe service to all members, clients, and volunteers of the Y.
Prepare lesson plans for assigned classes.
Instruct assigned classes.
Maintain communication with class participants and parents.
Explain class and pool procedures to program participants.
Evaluate swimming levels and prepare certificates.
Attend all staff meetings and trainings.
Maintain updated certifications as required by OCY.
Keep accurate attendance and class records.
Distribute and collect parent evaluations at assigned times with results given to Aquatic Coordinator.
Actively recruit members for OCY.
Promote the values of the YMCA’s Character Development of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
Communicate to all program participants and all members all program and membership promotions.
1. Supervision of personnel
Establish and maintain supervision of pool area and swimmers.
Enforce pool rules to staff and all swimmers.
1. Fiscal responsibilities
• Adhere to all fiscal policies and procedures of the Old Colony Y.
1. Facility/Housekeeping responsibilities
Keep accurate air and water test records.
Check all safety equipment, reporting any problems in writing to supervisor.
Properly open and close pool as scheduled.
Security and safety of pool area never leaving area unattended or unlocked.
Cleanliness of pool areas during assigned hours, ensuring pool area is neat and clean at all times, reporting all problems in writing to supervisor.
Participate in interdivisional job assignments as requested.
Promote Y programs by maintaining a positive, supportive and cooperative attitude.
Ymca leadership competencies - Leader
Mission Advancement
Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.
Collaboration
Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness
Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth
Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
1. Education/Experience/Physical requirements
Minimum 16 years of age.
Must have current certification in: CPR, First Aid, AED, and O2.
Must complete 7 hours in-service YMCA Swimming Lesson Training.
Lifeguard, YMCA Swim Certification and/or WSI preferred.
Need to acquire YMCA Swim Certification within 6 months.
Must be able to perform all physical tasks as a Swim Instructor to include teaching Aquatic lessons.
Complete program specific and employee orientation training by required timeline.
Market context
Swim instructor roles are often seasonal
In Massachusetts, swim instructor openings often reflect steady demand from pools, YMCAs, and community programs, especially where youth lessons and water-safety instruction are priorities. This role is competitive because it requires current CPR, AED, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen certifications, plus the ability to demonstrate YMCA-standard strokes and skills. Before applying, confirm your certifications are current and note that the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original posting, which can save you research time.
