Swim Instructor (WSI)

City of Chaska; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chaska is seeking a Swim Instructor to provide ARC-based swim instruction for all ages in a safe, positive environment. You will deliver lessons, demonstrate techniques, and adjust plans to support student progress while maintaining constant supervision and safety.

The role emphasizes adhering to ARC standards, communicating with participants about goals and performance, and evaluating appropriate level placement for future sessions.

Qualifications

• ARC WSI certification required.
• ARC CPR/AED/First Aid certification within 60 days of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to swim in shallow and deep water (Level 5).
• Ability to perform all taught swimming skills and demonstrate proper techniques.
• Ability to recognize swimmers in distress and respond appropriately.
• Ability to communicate with participants of all ages and skill levels.
• Ability to recognize and react to hazardous situations.

Responsibilities

• Creates a safe, enjoyable and positive class experience.
• Provides swim instruction to students of various ages and levels.
• Explains and demonstrates proper swimming techniques and aquatic skills.
• Teaches and encourages participants in the acquisition of new aquatic skills and strokes.
• Develops progressive lesson plans and modifies instructional strategy as needed.
• Maintains constant supervision of participants and responds to emergencies.
• Communicates performance, progress and goals to each participant.
• Applies ARC Swim Lessons standards and progression levels.
• Evaluates and recommends level placement for future lessons.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

ARC lifeguard/Swim instruction safety

Communication with participants

Distress signal recognition

Hazard recognition and response

Ability to supervise pool activities

Education

ARC Water Safety Instructor certification

ARC CPR/AED/First Aid certification (within 60 days)

Tools

Kickboard

Lifejacket

PPE

Whistle

Job description

The Swim Instructor is responsible for providing swim instruction to students of all ages following the American Red Cross (ARC) curriculum and guidelines within a safe, enjoyable and positive atmosphere that promotes safety and participant satisfaction.

1. Creates a safe, enjoyable and positive class experience.
2. Provides swim instruction to students of various ages and levels of ability.
3. Explains and demonstrates proper swimming techniques and aquatic skills.
4. Teaches and encourages participants in the acquisition of new aquatic skills and swimming strokes.
5. Develops progressive lesson plans and modifies instructional strategy as needed.
6. Maintains constant supervision of participants and responds to emergency situations.
7. Communicates consistently to each participant throughout the class about performance, progress and goals.
8. Understands and applies the standards of the ARC Swim Lessons program, including swimming levels and skills taught at each.
9. Evaluates and recommends level placement for future lessons.
10. Performs all other related duties as requested or assigned.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 16 years of age

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Current American Red Cross (ARC) Water Safety Instructor certification required
• ARC CPR/AED/First Aid certification within 60 days of hire
• Demonstrated ability to swim in shallow and deep water, and tread water (Level 5 swimming ability)
• Ability to perform all swimming skills being taught and demonstrate proper techniques
• Ability to recognize swimmers who may be in need of assistance and respond accordingly
• Ability to communicate with participants of all ages and levels
• Ability to recognize and react to hazardous/dangerous situations

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer
• Telephone
• Kickboard
• Lifejacket
• Barbell
• Ring
• Pull Buoy
• Flotation devices
• Megaphone
• Whistle
• First Aid Kit
• PPE
• AED
• Shepherd’s crook

MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Mental Effort

• Ability to remain alert with no lapses of consciousness for long periods of time in a warm environment with air temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Ability to recognize distress signals
• See, observe and hear all participants and make sound judgements and decisions even when distracted by noise and activity
• Perform all swimming skills being taught
• Attention to safety standards, procedures, and practices

Physical Requirements

• Bending, lifting, carrying up to 40 pounds
• Ability to remain in the pool area at all times during lessons and capacity to remain in water of 80 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit for one to four hours
• Communicate verbally, including projecting the voice across distance in normal and loud situations
• Ability to demonstrate all swimming skills being taught
• Ability to support child or adult body weight in the water

Working Conditions

• Warm/humid indoor or outdoor environment
• Exposure to sun
• Exposure to slip and falls
• Exposure to pool chemicals