Swim Instructor

Willamalane-Park-and-Recreation-Distric; Springfield (OR); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Annual cost of living increase

Free pool use for employee

Discounts on recreation programs

Job summary

Willamalane Park and Recreation District is seeking a part-time Swim Instructor to teach beginner to advanced classes and ensure student safety in the district’s aquatics facilities.

You will follow approved lesson plans, monitor progress, and communicate with parents. The role requires shift flexibility, strong communication, and the ability to respond calmly in emergencies.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of water safety, swim instruction, basic lifesaving methods, first aid, and emergency procedures.
• Swimming skills and techniques; teaching and demonstrating swimming skills.
• Communicate directions/instructions both verbally and by demonstration; work effectively with people of all ages; create a positive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Teach swimming classes using appropriate lesson plans for beginner to advanced students; demonstrate and monitor proper swimming techniques.
• Monitor the safety of students and other community members using the swim center facilities.
• Respond to questions from parents/guardians regarding students’ progress and programs.
• Maintain prompt responsiveness to shifts, facility updates, and scheduling.
• Maintain records of class participation and students' progress.
• Administer First Aid in case of emergency until a Lifeguard takes over.

Skills

Water safety

Swim instruction

First aid

Emergency procedures

Job description

SWIM INSTRUCTOR

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

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE

All applications due by 5PM on 12/7/26. Application screening will begin immediately.

Anticipated start date 12/18/2026

General Statement of Duties

Instructs swimming classes; monitors students' safety; does related work as required; maintains flexible shift availability and responsive communication.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this classification is responsible for instructing swim classes for beginner to advanced students. Positions in this classification require flexibility to work assigned shifts across facilities based on department operational needs. Employees are required to maintain active, responsive communication with Aquatics leadership. Work is performed under the supervision of an Aquatics Supervisor who reviews work primarily on the basis of direct observation and feedback from the Aquatics Programming Coordinator, participants and/or parents. 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.)

• Teach swimming classes using appropriate lesson plans for beginner to advanced students; demonstrate and monitor that swimming skills and techniques are being performed properly and safely.
• Monitor the safety of students and other community members using the swim center facilities.
• Respond to questions and inquiries from parents/guardians regarding students’ progress and/or Aquatics programs and activities.
• Receive, read, and stay current on all regular departmental communications and directives from Aquatics leadership; maintain prompt responsiveness to phone calls and text messages regarding shifts, facility updates, and scheduling.
• Maintain appropriate records regarding class participation and students' progress.
• Administer First Aid in case of emergency, until a Lifeguard takes over care.
• Attend and participate in all in-service training(s).
• Perform other job-related duties or tasks as required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge

Considerable knowledge of water safety, swim instruction, basic lifesaving methods, first aid, and emergency procedures.

Skills

Swimming skills and techniques; teaching and demonstrating swimming skills.

Abilities

Communicate directions/instructions both verbally and by demonstration; work effectively with people of all ages; create a positive learning environment; act calmly and effectively in emergency situations; interpret and implement swim center policies; monitor the safety of students and other patrons using the swim center facility.

Physical Demands of the Position

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand for the entire work period; most of which is spent in the pool. The role involves frequent physical activities such as bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and pushing or pulling the tot dock. The position requires mobility, including the ability to lift and tow swim lesson participants of varying body weights between 20-100 pounds on a regular basis. Additionally, the employee frequently lifts swim lesson participants (ages 3-8, 20-80 pounds) from the pool deck into the water. The position also requires regularly moving materials and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, such as toy chests and tot docks, which may be significantly heavier when wet. Continuous use of arms, wrists, and hands, including manual dexterity and coordination, is necessary throughout the work period. Individuals with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodations. Accommodations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific job requirements, the nature of the disability, and the hiring department's ability to provide suitable adjustments.

Necessary Experience and Training

Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties.

Preferred Experience and Training

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, CPR, and AED certification is required; Successful completion of the Willamalane Park and Recreation Districts internal swim instructor training is required. Reciprocity available for current ARC Water Safety Instructors. Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test will be required prior to employment.

Personal Protective Equipment

Access to nitrile gloves for the administration of first aid.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hours & Shifts

• Shifts include Monday and Wednesday 3:45 - 7:30pm; Tuesday and Thursday 4:15 - 7:30pm; Saturday 8:45 am - 12:30 pm
• Seasonal Summer Swim Lesson shifts include Monday - Thursday 9:15am - 12pm.
• Various morning shifts, depending on season

Work Schedule, Coverage & Attendance Expectations

• Shift variability & availability: work schedules vary based on department operational needs. Employees should be available to work at least one consistent session per term
• Term-based scheduling: Schedules are typically established prior to each school term (Fall, Winter Break, Winter, Spring Break, Spring, and Summer). Management reserves the right to modify schedules.
• Team Collaboration & Coverage: Staff must maintain active, open communication with peers, proactively identify scheduling needs, and collaborate to ensure complete shift coverage. Employees are expected to assist teammates by filling in for open shifts resulting from illness, injury, emergency, or coverage requests.
• Time-Off Requests: Time-off requests will generally be approved if the employee has secured qualified replacement coverage for all affected shifts prior to submission, or in cases of sudden personal illness, injury, or emergency.

Drug Free Workplace

Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test 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 the initial probationary period, and up a three percent (3%) increase annually thereafter as approved by the Board.
• 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.