Head Swim Instructor (Current Willamalane Employees Only)

Willamalane; Springfield (OR); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Annual cost of living adjustment

Merit increase

Spanish or ASL competency bonus

Free pool use for employees

Job summary

Willamalane is seeking a Head Swim Instructor for current employees to mentor and supervise a team of swim instructors while delivering swim lessons as needed. This part-time, non-exempt position focuses on safety, teaching quality, and program coordination at our aquatic facilities.

The role requires strong communication with parents and staff, ability to lead training sessions, and readiness to step in when instructors are unavailable.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching swimming lessons.
• Ability to mentor swim instructors.
• Knowledge of swim safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Ability to manage and respond to emergencies during lessons.

Responsibilities

• Direct and support swim instructors, assisting with lesson techniques.
• Attend in-service trainings and contribute to staff development.
• Monitor safety of students, instructors and pool users.
• Teach classes if needed when an instructor is unavailable or delayed.
• Assist in facilitating New Instructor training.

Skills

Communication

Team leadership

Safety awareness

Emergency response

Education

CPR/First Aid certification

Swim Instructor training

Job description

Head Swim Instructor (Current Willamalane Employees Only)

Part-time, non-exempt, non-benefitted position

Year round, up to 19.75 hours/week

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

Open to current Willamalane employees only through 5pm on 8/24/26

Anticipated start date 9/8/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION:

General Statement of Duties

Monitors, provides mentoring and direction/assistance to swim instructors; instructs swimming classes, as needed; actively interacts with parents/guardians and participants in the program; does related work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this classification is responsible for providing direction and assistance to swim instructors in addition to instructing swimming lessons, as needed. Work is performed under the supervision and oversight of an Aquatics Supervisor and Aquatics Programming Coordinator, who reviews work primarily on the basis of results attained, feedback from participants/parents, and direct observation. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Examples Of Essential Duties Performed

(Illustrative only. Any single position of a class will not necessarily involve all of the duties listed, and many positions will involve duties that are not listed.)

• Provides direction and assistance to swim instructors, including working with children having difficulties and/or suggesting ways to improve teaching techniques.
• Recommends topics/subjects for quarterly training; attends and participates in in-service training.
• Develops recommendations for more effective instruction and/or departmental policies and procedures.
• Responds to a variety of questions/complaints from participants and/or parents regarding the swim lesson program and activities and individual child's progress.
• Teaches swimming classes, as needed if the instructor assigned does not arrive for their shift or is occupied (or becomes occupied) by an emergency.
• Assists in facilitating New Swim Instructor training classes.
• Monitors the safety of students, instructors and other patrons using swim center facilities.
• Performs other job-related duties or tasks as required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge

Considerable knowledge of Willamalane Park and Recreation Districts water safety and swim curriculum; experience training fellow instructors through the shadow training process or in staff in-services; knowledge of Willamalane Park and Recreation District's Aquatic Emergency Action Plans and the role of the swim lesson staff in response to first aid and emergency procedures.

Skills

Effectively communicate and collaborate with community members and staff, adeptly addressing service, safety, and operational concerns, while fostering efficiency and accountability among team members. Proficient in swim instruction with the ability to teach up to Level Seven in our Willamalane Park & Recreation District Swim Lesson program, demonstrating diverse skills and techniques, and managing classes with organizational competence and rule enforcement. Equipped with comprehensive training in emergency care, including CPR/AED and first aid.

Abilities

Integrate experience, training, and judgement to make independent, responsible decisions, overseeing staff performance, facility operations, and guest service delivery. Exercise professional judgment to manage unusual and emergency situations, interpreting and implementing swim center policies, and fostering cooperative communication with community members and staff. Provide guidance and support to fellow employees, instructing them on safety protocols during swim instruction programs and creating a positive learning atmosphere. Remain composed and efficient in emergency scenarios, ensuring adherence to swim center policies and monitoring the safety of students and patrons. Instruct others on effective responses to emergency situations during swim instruction programs, promoting a safe and secure environment while continually learning and improving.

Physical Demands of the Position

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, reach, and manipulate objects. When necessary, the employee is occasionally required to move chairs around the pool deck. The position requires mobility including the ability to lift and move/tow materials in water weighing up to 20-100 pounds (such as students in swim lessons, etc). The position occasionally requires the employee to move light items weighing up to 20 pounds such as chairs and mats around the pool deck. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 75% of the work period while working with the swim lesson program. The duties of this position are always performed inside, thus exposure to adverse weather conditions is highly unlikely. The employee can expect to spend the vast majority of the work period on the pool deck, which is often wet and slippery, and is frequently required to enter and move around the pool. The pool deck is temperature controlled and is most always humid and varies in temperature. Exposure to loud noise is low to moderate, mostly consisting of kids, splashing, human voices, and never necessitates the use of hearing protection. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves and other PPE will be provided as necessary.

Minimum Experience and Training

Experience teaching swimming lessons or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties.

Preferred Experience and Training

Experience leading and coaching a team of Swim Instructors. Spanish speaking is preferred; a bilingual rate adjustment is contingent upon passing a proficiency test.

Necessary Special Requirements

Possession of or ability to obtain first aid and CPR certification. Successful completion of Willamalane's Swim Instructor training is required. Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test will be required prior to employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Hours & Shifts:

• Monday/Wednesday 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday/Thursday 3:30 - 6:45 p.m.
• Saturday 8:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

Drug Free Workplace

This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

Oregon Pay Equity

Willamalane Park and Recreation District determines starting pay based on the applicant's relevant education, experience and training within the wage and salary range for the position. This process is consistent with Oregon pay equity laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS:

• Paid sick leave beginning with date of hire, 1 hour accrual for every 30 hours worked. Part-time staff may use sick leave beginning on their 91st day of employment.
• Annual cost of living increase (up to 4% as approved by the Board).
• Merit increase (3%) upon successful completion of probationary period and then annually.
• Additional $1/hour increase upon successful completion of a Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL) competency test.
• Discount on selected childcare programs (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 25-percent discount on certain recreation programs.
• Free use of pools for lap and play swim for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free use of fitness center for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free Wellness programs for employee.
• Payroll direct deposit is available.