Swim Lessons Instructor

POSITION SUMMARY: As a Swim Instructor, you will inspire confidence in others of all ages. One of the most effective ways to instill confidence in people and create a healthier community is to teach youth, teens, and adults to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy. YMCA Swim Instructors are responsible for teaching basic swimming skills to beginners, instructing and observing all participants in proper stroke development and techniques. As a Swim Instructor, you will also be creating positive, nurturing relationships with students and building cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, facilitating peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall program experience.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Skagit Valley Family YMCA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. The Y does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. All staff hired at the Y are encouraged to embrace, continually support, and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community.

OUR CULTURE:Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

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
• Maintains positive relationships with parents and caregivers and other staff. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions
• Provide effective communication with students, parents, and co-workers
• Prepares written lesson plan in accordance with YMCA Swim Lessons curriculum
• Completes student records and progress reports comprehensively and punctually
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies
• Models safe behavior in and around the water. Knows and performs necessary duties in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates effective and consistent teamwork with all YMCA staff
• Attends staff meetings and trainings

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age 16
• YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor certification or equivalent. Instructors with equivalent certification required to take YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor training within 90 days of hire  
• Possess current state-approved certifications in First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED/O2, and Bloodborne Pathogen Training. Lifeguard Training certification is preferred  
• Demonstrate ability to tread water for two minutes and demonstrate Stage 5 proficiency in at least four of the following six strokes by swimming 25 yards of each: Front Crawl, Breaststroke, Sidestroke, Butterfly, Elementary Backstroke, and Backstroke
• Demonstrate ability to be motivators in the areas of self-awareness and self-confidence through aquatics   
• Demonstrate ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community
• Demonstrate ability to recognize students who may need assistance
• Possess mature judgment and sound decision-making skills 
• Have the ability to be constantly observant and safety conscious 
• Fluency in the second language desired
• Abuse Prevention and Mandatory Reporting training required within 90 days of hire

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS: 

The requirements 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. 

• The employee is required to remain in water ranging from 80–85 degrees for one to four hours, move around the work environment, and be able to respond quickly to all emergencies on land and in the water. Lift equipment and a small- to the average-size child.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Remain in the pool area at all times.
• Remain alert in a warm environment with air temperatures of 80 degrees or higher.
• Recognize distress signals.
• Communicate verbally, including projecting the voice across distance, in normal and loud situations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to use a computer, and other office equipment, and be able to communicate using phones and electronic devices.
• The employee must be able to interact with members, staff, volunteers, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied individuals.
• This position requires the employee to have a flexible work week (including nights and weekends) up to 25 hours per week. Shifts typically include the following, but can fluctuate depending on the season:
  • Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:45-6:25
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:45-6:25
  • Fridays, 10:25-1:30
  • Saturdays, 7:45-11:25, 8:45-12:00 

Swim Instructor Candidates must be able to attend & pass the following certification courses:

• Monday, January 29th, 10a-6p: CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, and Administering Emergency Oxygen
• Sunday & Monday, February 18th-19th, 10a-6p: YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor Certification