Lifeguard/ Swim Instructor

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal YMCA membership

Paid sick leave

EAP and mental health resources

Education and certification support

Employee discounts on programs

Job summary

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties in Tacoma, WA is seeking a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor to safeguard members while teaching swimming to youths. The role blends lifeguarding duties with engaging swim lessons and safety education in a community-focused environment.

You will maintain safe pool conditions, participate in ongoing trainings, and foster inclusive relationships with program participants and staff. Part-time schedule up to 25 hours per week with benefits for eligible employees.

Qualifications

• Must possess, or obtain and maintain YMCA Lifeguarding or Red Cross Lifeguarding certification and CPR/AED, Oxygen Administration and First Aid certifications prior to hire.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety of members by vigilantly scanning the water and pool deck, enforcing rules and following emergency procedures.
• Instruct swimming lessons in basic and advanced stroke skills for youth members.
• Perform rescue actions and administer first aid and CPR per YMCA policies.
• Prepare class lesson plans with progression suitable for ages and abilities.
• Attend trainings and maintain safety knowledge and certifications.
• Maintain positive relationships with members and staff.
• Complete incident and accident reports as required.
• Keep attendance, usage charts, and safety inspections records.
• Promote an inclusive and equitable work environment.

Skills

Lifeguard

CPR/AED

First Aid

Oxygen Administration

Youth program experience

Job description

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is seeking a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor to join our team.

The YMCA focuses on empowering people in all forms, by improving health and well-being and inspiring action in and across our neighborhoods.

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non‑profit, charitable organization committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

As a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor, you will be responsible for performing Lifeguard and Swim Instructor duties while creating a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals. If hired for this position, you will also be responsible for promoting member engagement and safety by maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck and surrounding areas in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the safety of our members at all times by vigilantly scanning the water and pool deck areas, monitoring activities, identifying safety issues and concerns, enforcing rules, and following YMCA emergency procedures and protocols.
• Instructing swimming lessons in basic and advanced stroke skills to youth members.
• Performing necessary rescue actions, administering first aid and CPR in accordance with YMCA policies, procedures, and the “safe-in-six” model; completing related reports as required.
• Preparing class lesson plans with a natural progression of appropriate skills for the abilities and ages of the classes.
• Knowing, understanding, consistently communicating, and applying safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the pool and aquatic areas.
• Attending monthly, quarterly, and/or annual training and certification courses.
• Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants, and other staff.

Are you a good fit?

• You are committed to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• You have a current Lifeguard, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, First Aid, and Oxygen certifications.
• You are at least 16 years old.
• You have six months or more of related aquatics experience (preferred).
• You have previous experience working with youth and diverse populations.
• You are able and willing to take Child Abuse Prevention training on the first day as well as other online and in-person trainings as required.
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation(s).

• Regularly required to talk with members and program participants.
• Frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to grasp and feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to sit for long periods of time.
• Occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• See and observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility (specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus).
• Regularly in the water.
• 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.
• Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.

Wages:

$18.00 to $18.50 per hour, depending on qualifications

Hours:

Part‑Time, Up to 25 hours per week

Location:

Pearl Street Family YMCA, Tacoma, WA

Benefits:

All YMCA Employees receive the below benefits:

• A Personal YMCA membership and YMCA360 virtual streaming membership
• Flexible scheduling around school and extracurricular activities Paid Sick Leave accrued at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked per year
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Digital mental health counseling platform, Wellness program, and LifeMart employee discount center
• Professional training, education, and certification opportunities
• 20% discount on YMCA programs, childcare services and merchandise

Part‑Time employees who work more than 20 hrs./week are eligible for the below voluntary benefit options:

• HealthiestYou: by Teladoc (24/7 virtual general medical care access for non‑emergency conditions)
• Willamette Dental Plan
• VSP Vision Plan

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled.

Qualifications

Aquatics Staff Job Description

Position Summary

Aquatics Staff are responsible for performing Lifeguard and Swim Instructor duties while creating a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals. They are also responsible for promoting member engagement and safety by maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck and surrounding areas in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Provides a quality experience to children and parents focused on YMCA core values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety of our members at all times by vigilantly scanning the water and pool deck areas, monitoring activities, identify safety issues and concerns, enforcing rules, and following YMCA emergency procedures and protocols.
• Know and review all emergency procedures and respond quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Perform necessary rescue actions, administer first aid and CPR in accordance with YMCA policies, procedures, and the “safe-in-six” model; complete related reports as required.
• Prepare class lesson plans with a natural progression of appropriate skills for the abilities and ages of the classes.
• Safely instruct swimming lessons in basic and advanced stroke skills according to class swim level.
• Know, understand, and consistently communicate and apply safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area.
• Attend monthly, quarterly and/or annual trainings and certification courses as assigned.
• Attend and complete in‑water training and drills as scheduled.
• Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants and other staff.
• Complete accident, incident reports, and rescue data sheets.
• Assist with keeping accurate records of lesson attendance, member usage charts, and safety inspections.
• Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Parent communication utilizing session report cards.
• Meet performance measurement by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission.
• Assist staff leadership team in reaching campaign goals through recruiting campaigners, making personal asks and supporting branch events.
• Identify pool related hazards and perform cleaning and sanitation protocols.
• Staff are expected to adhere to all safety protocols and procedures, including the use of PPE.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum of 16 years of age or older.

• Must possess, or obtain and maintain YMCA Lifeguarding or Red Cross Lifeguarding certification and CPR/AED, Oxygen Administration and First aid certifications prior to hire.
• Six months or more of related experience preferred.
• Previous experience working with youth preferably in a program setting and diverse populations.
• Knowledge and skills in program activities and related aquatics and office equipment, and the ability to instruct participants in techniques.
• Must be able to demonstrate swim instructor skills in accordance with YMCA standards. Experience preferred.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in‑person training as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Physically perform all essential functions of a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness or focus.
• Regularly required to talk.
• Frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Frequently works in and around chlorinated water.
• Regularly swims, moves and trains in the pool.

Employee Acknowledgement

This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment‑at‑will rights at any time.

By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position.

Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.