Aquatics Instructor

YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester; City of White Plains (NY); On-site; USD 21,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester is seeking a dedicated swim instructor to deliver high-quality individual and group lessons, aligning with established progressions and safety frameworks. The role emphasizes inclusive teaching for diverse learners, preparation of lesson plans, and ongoing curriculum knowledge.

You will ensure timely progress evaluations and maintain professional standards, contributing to a welcoming pool environment.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of teaching swimming and water safety skills.
• Leadership and communication abilities required.
• Ability to work independently with energy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to interact positively with the public.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality individual and group swim instruction using established progressions and lesson frameworks.
• Design inclusive lessons for varied skill levels including sensory needs and developmental considerations.
• Prepare lesson plans and blocks ensuring safety and clear skill progression.
• Maintain knowledge of full swim curriculum and substitute when needed.
• Be poolside ready 10 minutes before classes and assist with pool setup/breakdown.

Skills

Teaching swimming

Leadership

Communication

Independent work

Public interaction

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality individual and group swim instruction using established skill progressions and lesson frameworks, while keeping classes engaging, well‑paced, and responsive to swimmer needs. Instruction should balance structure with creativity and adapt to a range of abilities, ages, and learning styles.
• Design and deliver inclusive lessons that support swimmers with varying skill levels, comfort in the water, and learning needs, including individuals with sensory sensitivities, physical differences, or developmental considerations, in alignment with accessible aquatics practices.
• Prepare lesson plans and instructional blocks in advance of each session to ensure safety, consistency, and clear skill progression across both private and group classes.
• Maintain working knowledge of the full swim curriculum, including drills, songs, equipment use, and instructional strategies, and remain prepared to assist with or substitute for classes outside of one’s regular assignment as needed.
• Arrive poolside ready to teach at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled classes, ensuring instructional equipment is prepared and assisting with shared pool setup and breakdown when required.
• Accurately track attendance, update swimmer skill progressions, and complete evaluations and required documentation in a timely manner to support swimmer development and program quality.
• Participate in required in‑service trainings, staff meetings, and professional development opportunities, and maintain reliable attendance throughout each session.
• Communicate proactively with the Aquatics Director regarding swimmer needs, instructional challenges, safety concerns, or opportunities for improvement, and incorporate feedback to strengthen teaching practice.
• Secure appropriate substitute coverage when unable to teach a scheduled class, ensuring continuity of instruction and alignment with curriculum and safety standards.
• Deliver welcoming, respectful, and professional customer service to all swimmers and families, and demonstrate familiarity with YWCA aquatics policies related to scheduling, make‑ups, cancellations, and program guidelines.
• Support the YWCA’s mission by fostering a safe, inclusive, and empowering pool environment for all participants, families, and staff.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned to support aquatics operations.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education

High School Diploma or GED.

Experience

• 1-year previous aquatics experience for entry‑level consideration.
• 2-5-year previous aquatics instruction experience for intermediate to advanced consideration.

Licensing and/or Certifications

Certifications in American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, a plus. Certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Certifications must be on file prior to work performed.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge and application of teaching swimming and water safety skills
• Leadership and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and possess energy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to positively interact with the general public

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, while performing this job the staff member shall:

• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit and stand for required periods of time.
• Speak and hear.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. In certain situations, American Sign Language. Braille, or other language may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.