YMCA of Metropolitan Washington·Reston, Virginia
Instruct group and private swim lessons while ensuring safety procedures and class discipline are maintained. Develop lesson plans and maintain detailed student progress and attendance records.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is one of the largest charities in the DC area. The Y serves as an anchor in the community offering programs and services encompassing youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Swim Instructor (Basic, Intermediate & Advance) The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a leading nonprofit organization that has a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The Y is a cause driven organization that offers tremendous opportunities to make a difference. We invite you to join us in this amazing work to develop your skills, to realize your leadership potential and discover a career that is so much more than a job. About the Job YMCA Swim Instructors ensures adequate safety procedures are in place for the class being taught. Maintains class control and discipline at all times. Develops lesson plans for each class of the session. It is the responsibility of each instructor to provide “practical” lesson plans for their substitutes. Evaluates stroke technique of participants. Keeps skill sheets, student progress records and attendance records up to date after each class meeting. Prepares student evaluations, with recommendations and comments for either staying in the current level, with an explanation why, or movement to the next level. Teaches group and private lessons.
Please let us know if you have any questions about certification. Swim Instructor Basic: $15.20 per hour Must be 16 years of age. Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with participants of various age groups. Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver. Must have positive mentality. Obtain YMCA Swim Lesson Certification within nine (9) months. Swim Instructor Intermediate: $15.75 per hour Must be 17 years of age. At least two (2) years’ experience. Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with participants of various age groups. Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver. Must have positive mentality. YMCA Aquatic Safety Awareness course completion may be substituted at the discretion of the Aquatic Director. Must have one swim lesson certification. (YMCA swim lesson instructor, Red Cross WSI, or equivalent from outside agency, ymca lifeguard). Swim Instructor Advance: $16.25 per hour Must be at least 18 years of age. Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with participants of various age groups. Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver. Must have positive mentality. Must have 4 years of aquatics teaching experience. At least 2 water instruction certifications. (Including YASA, YMCA lifeguard, YMCA lifeguard instructor, Swim lesson instructor, YMCA swim coach cert, USA swim coaching cert, Red Cross WSI, Red cross Lifeguarding instructor, Aqua aerobics cert, Action against arthritis Cert, and other certifications along these lines). Working Conditions: Must have the physical ability to meet all prerequisites for YASA Lifeguarding. Must be CPR/AED certified Must be able to lift and move around objects of 40 pounds or more. Swim 500 yards. Must be able to actively teach the YMCA swim program in the water. Ability to see and hear participants in distress or asking for assistance.
Did you know that just for being a YMCA employee you get great benefits and discounts from banks, credit unions, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Dell, Veterinary Pet Insurance, supplemental (AFLAC, ALLSTATE, Vision Care, LegalShield) and even Zip Car!
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington provides progressive employee benefits, including a 10% employer-funded retirement plan with vesting after two years of service and 1000 hours compensated time in each of those two years; 403(b) employee retirement savings plan; free YMCA membership for employee, and numerous professional development opportunities.
Candidates must be at least 16 years old and possess CPR/AED certification with the ability to swim 500 yards. Depending on the level, 2 to 4 years of experience and specific swim certifications are required.
Market context
In Virginia, swim instructor openings are common where youth programs and aquatics services need steady staffing, and this role spans basic through advanced levels. Competition can be stronger for intermediate and advanced instruction because of age, certification, and experience requirements, plus the physical standard to swim 500 yards and lift 40 pounds. If you’re considering applying, confirm which level fits your credentials and review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time versus reading the full posting.