Swim Instructor I

Piedmont; Piedmont (CA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

The City of Piedmont is hiring Swim Instructors to deliver swim lessons and ensure water safety for participants of all ages. Responsibilities include planning lessons, demonstrating swim techniques, and maintaining a safe environment. Candidates should have swim experience and be at least 15 years old. Preferred qualifications include teaching and communication skills. The role involves working outdoors and indoors at the city’s aquatic facilities, contributing to a fun and safe aquatic experience.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 15 years old and possess a work permit if under 18.
• Extensive swim experience required, preferably from swim teams or clubs.
• Experience in sports teams, childcare, or recreation programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach swim and water safety lessons to participants of all ages.
• Demonstrate proper swim stroke mechanics.
• Collaborate with the aquatics team on lesson plans.
• Ensure a safe learning environment during lessons.
• Monitor behavior and communicate progress to participants and parents.

Skills

Swim strokes proficiency

Teaching ability

Communication

Water safety knowledge

Education

Completion of 9th grade

Job description

City of Piedmont is a charter city of approximately 11,000 residents located in the beautiful Oakland Hills, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The city, which is virtually built out, consists of established residences on quiet tree-lined streets. Within Piedmont's 1.8 square-mile area there are five city parks and numerous landscaped areas which offer wooded paths, tennis courts, children's playgrounds and picnic facilities. The city will be opening a new all‑electric Community Pool featuring a state‑of‑the‑art competition pool, activity pool and bathhouse facility.

Definition

Swim Instructors provide planning and instruction for aquatic programs, lessons and camps within the guidelines of the City of Piedmont's comprehensive aquatics program. They are responsible for delivering effective swim lessons, ensuring water safety, communicating with participants and parents, and creating a positive and enjoyable environment for participants.

Class Characteristics

Under the direction of the Recreation Supervisor and Recreation Coordinator for Aquatics, Swim Instructors are distinguished by their swim strokes proficiency and knowledge, their ability to demonstrate and break down the stroke mechanics and communicate well with children and adults and their ability to handle emergency situations.

A Swim Instructor I

• Be at least 15 years old
• Complete 9th grade and possess a work permit if under 18
• Have extensive swim experience, such as participation in swim teams or clubs
• Experience volunteering or working in sports teams, childcare, or recreation programs is preferred

Examples of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Teach swim and water safety lessons to participants of all ages—from six months to adult—following the established program curriculum and progression
• Demonstrate proper swim stroke mechanics and techniques, providing clear, age‑appropriate instruction and individualized feedback to both children and adults
• Collaborate with the aquatics team to help design lesson plans and participate in pre‑registration activities, including assessing participant skill levels
• Maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment during all lessons. Monitor participant behavior, adjust activities as needed, and communicate progress and assessments to participants and their parents/guardians
• Report concerns or skill level discrepancies immediately to Head Swim Instructor in an attempt to resolve the issue within the same class period
• Prepare, inspect, and safely store all instructional equipment before and after each lesson to ensure readiness and proper use
• Accurately record attendance, participant progress reports, and any incidents in accordance with program procedures and timelines
• Assist in planning and executing special aquatic events, such as swim meets, safety demonstrations, and community outreach programs
• Encourage continued participation in aquatic programming by providing guidance in lesson progression and upcoming opportunities
• Monitor pool deck and water conditions, correcting or reporting any safety or maintenance concerns to appropriate staff promptly

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• The mechanics of the four basic swim strokes: freestyle (front crawl), backstroke (back crawl), breaststroke and butterfly
• The basic understanding of skill progression needed to guide swimmers to achieving proper swim techniques
• Standard safety protocols required to maintain safety in an aquatic setting

Ability to:

• Demonstrate the four basic swim strokes
• Learn and follow structured lesson plans and best practices in swim instruction
• Adapt teaching approaches to the age, experience and abilities of participants to help them meet the course objectives
• Maintain the safety of all assigned students
• Commit to the session dates assigned so that continuity is maintained for students
• Participate in regular in‑service training sessions
• Communicate effectively and work cooperatively with Recreation department personnel, volunteers, vendors representatives, school personnel, children, parents, patrons, the general public, and coworkers
• Follow instructions, respond to requests and follow up with supervisor as needed
• Understand and use a wide variety of resources and information, such as regulations, accident/incident reports, schedules, timesheets, patron complaints, correspondence and general operating manuals
• Act quickly, calmly and appropriately in emergency situations by participating and assisting Lifeguards in the Emergency Action Plan

Requirements

Certifications:

• First Aid/CPR with AED through American Red Cross or nationally recognized agency
• American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue (offered in‑house) within 3 months of hire ­– OR at least one of the following other certifications:
  • American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
  • American Red Cross Lifeguard certification

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Vision (which may be corrected) and hearing must be within normal range to be able to see and hear students who may be in life and/or health and safety endangering situations
• Ability to communicate clearly with aquatic patrons, students or parents in‑person, via phone, or email
• Ability to use a computer, phone system, copier, and other standard office equipment
• Capable of sitting or standing for extended periods; occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds
• Able to respond quickly and appropriately during emergencies or urgent situations
• Knowledge of basic clerical procedures and ability to follow instructions with attention to detail

Environmental Elements:

• Ability to work outdoors, including participation in required aquatic staff in‑service in and out of the water for extended periods, exposed to sun, water, and varying weather conditions
• Ability to dress in Swim Instructor uniform and dress code throughout scheduled shifts
• Ability to work indoors in an office setting with frequent transitions to the pool deck area
• Exposure to noise, humidity, and chlorine‑related odors
• Must be comfortable working in a shared space with high public interaction
• Ability to work under moderately safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental or job‑related factors may cause discomfort and where there is a risk of temperature variations or extremes, odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, wetness, noise, violence, disease, blood or bodily fluids while rendering first aid and CPR

Successful candidates must pass a Department of Justice live fingerprint scan, background reference checks, and a Tuberculosis screening prior to start of employment.