Head Swim Coach

Whatcom Family YMCA; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

Whatcom Family YMCA in Bellingham, WA is seeking a Head Swim Coach to lead our YMCA Swim Team, plan progressive practices, and develop swimmers of all levels. You will mentor assistant coaches, organize meets, and ensure safety and program quality in line with YMCA guidelines.

This role emphasizes growth, teamwork, sportsmanship, and community involvement, with responsibilities spanning record-keeping, parent communication, and expanding the program to reflect our diverse community.

Qualifications

• YMCA Competitive Swimming Certification (to be obtained within 3 months of hire date).
• One year experience teaching swim practices/lessons to a range of ability levels and age groups.
• Certifications: Basic life support or professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration.
• Current YMCA Lifeguard or equivalent certification.
• Child abuse prevention training upon hire date.
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead engaging, progressive swim practices that support varying skill levels.
• Lead the program in accordance with YMCA and PSSA Swim League guidelines.
• Mentor, train, and support assistant swim coaches to build a strong team.
• Select appropriate swim meets and prepare accurate, timely meet entries.
• Represent the YMCA Swim Team at meets and model sportsmanship for swimmers and families.
• Help swimmers set goals, improve technique, and build confidence.
• Foster a team culture centered on encouragement, belonging, and healthy competition.
• Maintain program records, paperwork, equipment, and supplies.
• Follow YMCA safety, emergency, medical, disciplinary, youth protection, and reporting procedures.

Skills

Coaching experience

Swim technique knowledge

Motivational skills

Mentoring coaches

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Team leadership

YMCA values

Education

YMCA Competitive Swimming Certification

CPR/AED, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Administration

Current YMCA Lifeguard or equivalent

Child abuse prevention training

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Whatcom Family YMCA - Bellingham, WA 98225

Position Type: Part Time

Salary Range: $21.53 - $26.91 Hourly

Are you passionate about competitive swimming and even more passionate about helping young athletes grow?

The Whatcom Family YMCA is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Head Swim Coach to lead our YMCA Swim Team! This is an opportunity to develop swimmers at all levels, mentor fellow coaches, build a positive team culture, and help grow a program where young athletes can challenge themselves, build confidence, and discover what they're capable of—in and out of the pool.

We're looking for a coach who understands that success isn't measured only by the clock. It's also measured by progress, teamwork, confidence, sportsmanship, and a lifelong love of swimming.

What You'll Do

• Plan and lead engaging, progressive swim practices that support swimmers at varying skill and developmental levels.
• Lead the program in accordance with YMCA and PSSA Swim League guidelines.
• Mentor, train, and support assistant swim coaches, helping create a strong and consistent coaching team.
• Select appropriate swim meets and prepare accurate, timely meet entries.
• Represent the YMCA Swim Team at meets and serve as a positive role model for swimmers, families, and coaches.
• Help swimmers set goals, improve technique, build endurance, and develop confidence.
• Foster a team culture centered on encouragement, sportsmanship, belonging, and healthy competition.
• Build positive relationships with parents and maintain clear, consistent communication throughout the season.
• Encourage parent involvement and support participation in the team's Booster Club.
• Help grow and expand the swim team so that it reflects and welcomes our diverse community.
• Maintain required program records, paperwork, equipment, and supplies.
• Follow YMCA safety, emergency, medical, disciplinary, youth protection, and mandated reporting procedures.

Who We're Looking For

• Has experience coaching competitive or developmental swimming.
• Understands swim technique, practice planning, athlete development, and meet preparation.
• Can motivate swimmers while recognizing that every athlete develops at a different pace.
• Enjoys mentoring and developing other coaches.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with youth, parents, coaches, and YMCA leadership.
• Is organized and able to manage meet entries, schedules, paperwork, and program details.
• Creates an environment where swimmers feel safe, supported, challenged, and included.
• Leads by example and models strong sportsmanship, professionalism, and YMCA values.
• Is excited about growing a swim program and building a strong sense of team and community.

More Than a Swim Team

At the YMCA, competitive swimming is about more than improving times and winning races.

It's about helping young people learn discipline, perseverance, teamwork, confidence, and how to respond when something doesn't go exactly as planned.

As Head Swim Coach, you'll have the opportunity to shape that experience—not only for our swimmers, but also for the assistant coaches and families who make our swim community possible.

Our Commitment to Equity

Everything we do at the YMCA is based on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, diverse abilities, age, religion, socioeconomic status, or other identities.

Our work is focused on eliminating barriers to access, reducing disparities in health, providing educational support, supporting working families, and growing our next generation of change makers.

Qualifications Minimum Requirements

• YMCA Competitive Swimming Certification (to be obtained within 3 months of hire date)
• One year experience teaching swim practices/lessons to a range of ability levels and age groups.
• Certifications: Basic life support or professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration
• Current YMCA Lifeguard of equivalent
• Child abuse prevention training upon hire date
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness

Recommended Qualities

• Knowledgeable skills involved in all levels of competitive swimming, enthusiastic, responsible, able to relate to and motivate participants, able to supervise all coaching staff, prior experience with the YMCA swim programs, Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Physically capable of demonstrating all skills to swimmers.
• Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
• See and observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility.