POSITION SUMMARY: Leads and instructs classes in a safe, enjoyable, and positive environment that promotes member wellness and engagement in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPECTATIONS:
1. Display a friendly, helpful, and positive disposition.
2. Provide customer service that is thorough, timely, organized, and accurate.
3. Help ensure the Y is meeting member and participant needs by utilizing good listening skills, attentiveness, objectivity, and patience in all situations.
4. Place members and participants as the first and highest priority showing kindness and compassion at all times.
5. Demonstrates the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through all daily activities and responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Overarching Goal: Through their planning, actions, and daily work, creates and fosters a safe, welcoming environment for all persons of all backgrounds and abilities. Has positive, nurturing relationships with staff and participants while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers and program partners. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall YMCA experience.
1. Assumes responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of all program participants at all times.
2. Instructs swimming lessons in accordance with YMCA Of Springfield guidelines.
3. Communicates regularly and develops a working relationship with caregivers to build an effective, authentic relationships with them and students, helping them connect with each other and the YMCA, leading to caregiver involvement and identification of potential volunteers.
4. Communicates aquatic programs and scheduling information effectively to members and participants.
5. Communicates and/or meets with Director and/or Associate Director as needed to discuss areas of concern.
6. Assists with the daily set up and take down of activity areas including class appropriate equipment gathered before each class taught. Keeps instructional equipment organized and maintained, reporting damaged equipment to Aquatic Director.
7. Maintains records as necessary: attendance, progress tracking, performance evaluation, etc.
8. Reports any problems with staff, children, or parents to Aquatic Director.
9. Knows and adheres to all pool policies and guidelines and program guidelines.
10. Incorporates Character Development into all areas of the program.
YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES (Leader):
Competency: Clusters of observable skills and behaviors needed to be successful within an organization or role.
Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Ys work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.
Collaboration: Creates sustainable relationships within the Y and with other organizations in service to the community.
Communication & Influence Listens and expresses self effectively in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Ys cause.
Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
OBSERVABLE BEHAVHIORS (Leader)
Expresses the Ys Cause & Culture
Creates a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment
Delivers a high-quality experience
Serves others by welcoming, connecting and supporting
Invites others to get involved and give back
Listens with the intent to support
Sees the Y as a lifelong connection

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Minimum age of 14
2. Ability to maintain certification-level of skill and preparedness.
3. Must demonstrate swim instructor skills in accordance with YMCA of Springfield standards.
4. Ability to learn quickly.
5. Ability to work with integrity, discretion, and a professional approach.
6. Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (age, language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
7. Ability to complete all required trainings within 60 days of employment, including but not limited to CPR, first aid, Living Our Cause, DCFS Mandated Report, IL Gateway Registry Modules and to maintain these certifications as current as outlined by regulations or requirements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate. Be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
Instruct and observe participants in proper stroke technique.
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
May require physical effort while reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, balancing, bending, leaning, kneeling, walking, and climbing.
- Specifically, o Normally lifting, holding, catching a small to above average sized child.
o Bending, kneeling, walking, swimming, treading without the use of your arms, and diving down to depths of 9 feet.
The noise level in the work environment is usually Loud.
Exposure to communicable diseases and body fluids.
Exposure to chlorinated water for extended periods of time.