YMCA Reston - Swim Instructor (Basic, Intermediate and Advance)

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA membership

403(b) retirement plan

10% employer-funded retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington seeks a Swim Instructor in Reston to lead beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. You’ll ensure safety, manage class control, and develop lesson plans for each session. The role includes evaluating strokes, maintaining records, and preparing student evaluations for level progression.

Both group and private lessons are taught. Qualified candidates will have required certifications and a commitment to the Y’s values.

Qualifications

• Must be 16+ years old and able to relate to participants of various age groups.
• Must obtain YMCA Swim Lesson Certification within nine (9) months.
• CPR/AED certification required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety procedures are in place for the class being taught.
• Maintain class control and discipline at all times.
• Develop lesson plans for each class of the session and provide substitutes with practical plans.
• Evaluate stroke technique and keep progress/attendance records up to date.
• Prepare student evaluations with recommendations for staying at or advancing levels.
• Teach both group and private swimming lessons.

Skills

Outgoing personality

Reliable

Problem solver

Relate to different age groups

Positive mentality

Education

WSI certification or equivalent

YMCA Swim Lesson Certification within 9 months

Job description

YMCA Reston - Swim Instructor (Basic, Intermediate and Advance)

12196 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190, USA

Job Description

Posted Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 4:00 AM

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is one of the largest charities in the DC area. The Y serves as an anchor in the community offering programs and services encompassing youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a leading nonprofit organization that has a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The Y is a cause driven organization that offers tremendous opportunities to make a difference. We invite you to join us in this amazing work to develop your skills, to realize your leadership potential and discover a career that is so much more than a job.

About the Job

YMCA Swim Instructors ensures adequate safety procedures are in place for the class being taught. Maintains class control and discipline at all times. Develops lesson plans for each class of the session. It is the responsibility of each instructor to provide “practical” lesson plans for their substitutes. Evaluates stroke technique of participants. Keeps skill sheets, student progress records and attendance records up to date after each class meeting. Prepares student evaluations, with recommendations and comments for either staying in the current level, with an explanation why, or movement to the next level. Teaches group and private lessons.

Qualifications: Please let us know if you have any questions about certification.

Swim Instructor Basic: $15.20 per hour

Must be 16 years of age. Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with participants of various age groups. Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver. Must have positive mentality. Obtain YMCA Swim Lesson Certification within nine (9) months.

Swim Instructor Intermediate: $15.75 per hour

Must be 17 years of age. At least two (2) years’ experience. Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with participants of various age groups. Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver. Must have positive mentality. YMCA Aquatic Safety Awareness course completion may be substituted at the discretion of the Aquatic Director. Must have one swim lesson certification. (YMCA swim lesson instructor, Red Cross WSI, or equivalent from outside agency, ymca lifeguard).

Swim Instructor Advance: $16.25 per hour

Must be at least 18 years of age. Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with participants of various age groups. Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver. Must have positive mentality. Must have 4 years of aquatics teaching experience. At least 2 water instruction certifications. (Including YASA, YMCA lifeguard, YMCA lifeguard instructor, Swim lesson instructor, YMCA swim coach cert, USA swim coaching cert, Red Cross WSI, Red cross Lifeguarding instructor, Aqua aerobics cert, Action against arthritis Cert, and other certifications along these lines).

Working Conditions:

• Must have the physical ability to meet all prerequisites for YASA Lifeguarding.
• Must be CPR/AED certified
• Must be able to lift and move around objects of 40 pounds or more.
• Swim 500 yards. Must be able to actively teach the YMCA swim program in the water.
• Ability to see and hear participants in distress or asking for assistance.

• Did you know that just for being a YMCA employee you get great benefits and discounts from banks, credit unions, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Dell, Veterinary Pet Insurance, supplemental (AFLAC, ALLSTATE, Vision Care, LegalShield) and even Zip Car!
• including a 10% employer-funded retirement plan with vesting after two years of service and 1000 hours compensated time in each of those two years
• 403(b) employee retirement savings plan
• free YMCA membership for employee
• numerous professional development opportunities

12196 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190, USA