Swim Instructor

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Lake Villa (IL); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago seeks a Swim Instructor to deliver group and private swim lessons, upholding YMCA standards for curriculum, safety, and participant wellbeing. The role emphasizes a safe, welcoming environment and requires ongoing certifications and quarterly in-service training.

You will support the Aquatics team, maintain records, and assist in emergencies, while contributing to a positive experience for members and guests. Training and supervision are provided.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Must hold or complete YMCA Swim Lessons or ARC Water Safety Instructor certification along with CPR, First Aid, AED and Oxygen certification.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality instruction to diverse youth and maintaining safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver group and private swim lessons per YMCA curricula.
• Prepare progressive lesson plans to enhance participant experience.
• Maintain records such as attendance, progress, and achievement certificates.
• Enforce pool rules and supervise class participants for safety.
• Assist lifeguards and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Attend in-service trainings and staff meetings as scheduled.

Skills

Safety awareness

Emergency response

Leadership

Youth engagement

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

YMCA Swim Lessons certification

ARC Water Safety Instructor

CPR

First Aid

AED

Oxygen administration

Aquatics Academy training

Job description

Job Summary

The Swim Instructor is an essential member of the Aquatics team, responsible for delivering both group and private swim lessons to participants. They ensure that the curriculum, instructional quality, safety, certifications, and other requirements meet YMCA standards. The role focuses on providing an exceptional experience for each swimmer and fosters a safe, welcoming environment that supports the physical and emotional well-being of program participants, members, and guests. The Swim Instructor upholds and maintains their swim instructor certification, along with certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED, and Oxygen Administration. Swim Instructors must also consistently participate in quarterly in-service training sessions to ensure the highest level of competency and readiness.

Job Summary

The Swim Instructor is an essential member of the Aquatics team, responsible for delivering both group and private swim lessons to participants. They ensure that the curriculum, instructional quality, safety, certifications, and other requirements meet YMCA standards. The role focuses on providing an exceptional experience for each swimmer and fosters a safe, welcoming environment that supports the physical and emotional well-being of program participants, members, and guests. The Swim Instructor upholds and maintains their swim instructor certification, along with certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED, and Oxygen Administration. Swim Instructors must also consistently participate in quarterly in-service training sessions to ensure the highest level of competency and readiness.

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Effectively implements YMCA swim curricula for various levels and populations depending on class needs as outlined by the standards of the YMCA.
• Prepares progressive lesson plans to enhance the experience of program participants.
• Prepares reports and maintains records, including attendance records, skills sheets, progress reports, and monthly Certificates of Achievement.
• Enforces aquatic rules and policies by maintaining constant surveillance of class participants by not turning their back to the class.
• Acts as a secondary responder in case of injury, accident, or illness in pool area and provides backup to lifeguards as needed in emergencies and crowd control.
• Reports injuries and completes required forms.
• Sets up the facility or equipment, and stores equipment upon completion of class. Immediately notify the supervisor of any broken equipment or unsafe aspects of the pool.
• Attends all in-service trainings and staff meetings as scheduled by supervisor or center leadership.
• Maintains job-related certifications and documents completion of certifications in the HR information system
• Supports the mission and vision of the YMCA as assigned
• Provides leadership to other team members (Level 3)

Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisorCompleting all child abuse prevention training as required
• Supports the YMCA’s commitment to inclusion of all members as required by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Job responsibilities may include implementing program modifications for persons with cognitive, behavioral or physical disabilities, including but not limited to the injection of medical glucagon to members with Type 1 diabetes in emergency situations. Appropriate training and development will be provided to YMCA team members based on your role and responsibilities.

Minimum And Preferred Requirements Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Current certification YMCA Swim Lessons or ARC Water Safety Instructor, CPR, First Aid, AED and Oxygen certification or must successfully complete the YMCA’s Aquatics Academy training program resulting in certification.
• Passion for working with diverse youth and ability to provide a high-quality of instruction using age-appropriate practices
• Physical mobility to properly use aquatic equipment to rescue a 200 lb. person.
• Must be mentally alert to dangerous situations in order to assure the safety of all swimmers.
• Must be physically and mentally able to respond to emergencies and administer CPR and First Aide effectively.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Team competencies in previous experience or practice
• Meets physical qualifications required for certification in job