Water Safety Instructor

YMCA of the Chesapeake; Lexington Park (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is seeking a Water Safety Instructor for a full-time, on-site position in Lexington Park, MD. You will plan and teach swimming and water safety to participants of varying ages and abilities, following YMCA curricula and safety standards.

Responsibilities include demonstrating techniques, monitoring progress, enforcing rules, preparing instructional materials, coordinating with aquatics staff, and supporting special programs, while modeling YMCA values and maintaining a

Qualifications

• Strong skills in swim instruction and swim lessons with ability to adapt to ages and abilities.
• Solid swimming and aquatics skills to demonstrate techniques and ensure safety.
• Lifeguarding skills with current certification or ability to obtain within timeframe.
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications beneficial.
• Experience in aquatics, recreation, education, or youth development preferred.
• Excellent communication, observation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Commitment to YMCA mission, safety standards, and inclusivity.

Responsibilities

• Plan and teach swimming and water safety lessons for participants of varying ages and skill levels.
• Demonstrate proper techniques, monitor progress, and enforce pool rules.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive learning environment and model YMCA core values.
• Schedule lessons, prepare instructional materials, and support special programs or events.
• Perform basic pool deck housekeeping and safety checks; communicate with families.

Skills

Swim Instruction

Swim Lessons

Lifeguarding

CPR/First Aid

Communication

Job description

Company Description

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest human service organization on the Eastern Shore, focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Serving more than 50,000 members and their families across Maryland’s Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties and Chincoteague Island in Virginia, the Y welcomes individuals of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds. The organization is committed to nurturing the potential of children and teens, improving community health and well-being, and creating opportunities for neighbors to support one another. In the past year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $2,000,000 in financial assistance to more than 16,000 community members, ensuring that no one is turned away due to inability to pay, and invested $200,000 in outreach and programming across the communities it serves.

Role Description

The Water Safety Instructor is a full-time, on-site role located in Lexington Park, MD. This role is responsible for planning and teaching swimming and water safety lessons for participants of varying ages and skill levels, following YMCA and industry-standard curricula. Day-to-day tasks include demonstrating proper swimming techniques, monitoring participants’ progress, enforcing pool rules, and maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment. The instructor collaborates with aquatics staff to schedule lessons, prepare instructional materials, and support special programs or events. Additional responsibilities include performing basic pool deck housekeeping, conducting safety checks, communicating with participants and families, and modeling YMCA core values in all interactions.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong skills in Swim Instruction and Swim Lessons, including the ability to adapt teaching methods to different ages and abilities.
• Candidates should possess solid Swimming and Aquatics skills to effectively demonstrate techniques and ensure participant safety.
• Candidates should possess Lifeguarding skills, including current lifeguard certification or the ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications (or willingness to obtain) are highly beneficial.
• Prior experience working in aquatics, recreation, education, or youth development is preferred.
• Strong communication, observation, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to motivate and encourage participants.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, as program needs require.
• Commitment to the YMCA mission, safety standards, and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all community members.