Special Needs Swim Instructor

usssa-careers; Cudahy (WI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

British Swim School in Cudahy, WI is seeking Adaptive Swim Instructors to provide individualized swim and water-safety instruction for children with autism, developmental or physical disabilities.

We value patience, reliability and compassion; no prior swim-instruction experience required as training will be provided, and there are opportunities to work evenings and weekends, helping each swimmer gain independence and safety in the water.

Qualifications

• Experience in autism or developmental disability services
• Experience in special education
• ABA therapy or behavioral support
• Occupational or physical therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Respite or caregiving
• Special needs childcare
• Psychology or related fields
• Education or social work related background
• Strong compassion and reliability

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized swim and water-safety instruction
• Work one-on-one or in small instructional settings
• Adapt how skills are taught to meet each swimmer's needs
• Use tools such as visual cues, predictable routines, simple language and task breakdown
• Provide appropriate physical support in the water
• Work with swimmers who may be nonverbal or communicate differently
• Help swimmers build confidence, independence and lifesaving water-safety skills
• Celebrate progress-even when progress happens one small step at a time

Skills

Autism services

Special education

ABA therapy

Occupational therapy

Physical therapy

Recreational therapy

Respite caregiving

Special needs childcare

Psychology

Education

Social work

Related fields

Job description

This is more than a typical swim instructor job.

British Swim School is looking for dependable, compassionate individuals to join our Adaptive Swim Program at our Cudahy location.

What does “adaptive” mean?

Our adaptive program provides individualized swim and water-safety instruction for children who may have autism, developmental or physical disabilities, sensory needs, communication differences, or other needs that make a traditional swim lesson challenging.

Every swimmer is different—and every success looks different.

One swimmer may be learning to comfortably enter the water. Another may be working on rolling to their back and floating independently. Another may be ready to develop traditional swim strokes.

Our goal is always the same: help each swimmer become safer and more independent in the water.

Who We're Looking For

We are especially interested in applicants with experience in areas such as:

• Autism or developmental disability services
• Special education
• ABA therapy or behavioral support
• Occupational or physical therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Respite or caregiving
• Special needs childcare
• Psychology, education, social work, or related fields
• Swim instruction or aquatics

You do NOT need to be an experienced swim instructor to apply.

We can teach you our swim curriculum and instructional methods. We're looking for people who already bring the qualities that are harder to teach: patience, compassion, reliability, adaptability, and a genuine desire to connect with their swimmers.

What You'll Do

As an Adaptive Swim Instructor, you will:

• Provide individualized swim and water-safety instruction
• Work one-on-one or in small instructional settings
• Adapt how skills are taught to meet each swimmer's needs
• Use tools such as visual cues, predictable routines, simple language and task breakdown
• Provide appropriate physical support in the water
• Work with swimmers who may be nonverbal or communicate differently
• Help swimmers build confidence, independence and lifesaving water-safety skills
• Celebrate progress-even when progress happens one small step at a time

Consistency Matters

For many of our adaptive swimmers, building trust and maintaining a predictable routine are incredibly important.

That means we need instructors who will show up.

We're looking for people who can commit to a consistent evening and/or weekend schedule and become a familiar, trusted person for their swimmers.

If you're looking for an occasional job with a constantly changing schedule, this probably isn't the right fit.

If you want to build relationships with your swimmers and watch their skills grow week after week, it might be exactly the right fit.

Current openings are primarily:

• Weekday evenings
• Weekends

Consistent weekly availability is strongly preferred.

Pay

$22.00/hour starting pay

Opportunities for growth may be available based on experience, performance, training and additional responsibilities.

The Best Part of This Job

Sometimes the biggest victory isn't swimming across the pool.

It's a child putting their face in the water for the first time.

It's a swimmer learning how to find the wall.

It's independently rolling onto their back.

It's a parent realizing their child is becoming safer around water.

Those moments matter.

If you're patient, dependable, coachable and want a part-time job where the work you do can have a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.