Swim Instructor (LAY)

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Swim Instructor at an Akron Area YMCA creates and maintains a safe, supportive, and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and provides direct leadership, instruction, and motivation for students in swim classes with an emphasis on water safety.

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Instructs swimming lessons in accordance with YMCA guidelines, having prepared lesson plans accordingly, and supports members and program participants in achieving their goals while maintaining constant supervision of class participants.
2. Develops and maintains positive relationships with volunteers, members or program participants, and colleagues at all levels of the organization; helps participants and families connect with each other and the YMCA; and encourages parent or caregiver involvement.
3. Conveys information about aquatics programs and schedules while referring program participants and families to other programs.
4. Patiently provides positive feedback and reinforcement in response to students learning and practicing skills using positive and simple language to support learning.
5. Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area.
6. Remains calm and objective when under pressure or when challenged by others.
7. Reports to class at least five minutes before the start time of scheduled shift to set-up, tear down, and organize all equipment. Reports damaged equipment.
8. Starts and ends the lesson within five minutes of scheduled time, covers all lesson content, wears professional swim attire and/or rash guard, and gets in the water with students.
9. Secures a qualified substitute well in advance, provides substitute with progress tracker and lesson plan, and notifies Supervisor.
10. Maintains records as required by the YMCA in a timely manner (e.g., progress trackers, mid-session reports, and certificates of achievement).
11. Follows all YMCA policies, rules, regulations and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Completes incident and accident reports as necessary.
12. Trains and supervises class aides as assigned.
13. Attend all scheduled meetings and training sessions.
14. Complete all other jobs as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | ABUSE PREVENTION:

Upholding the YMCA’s commitment to the safety and well-being of youth in our programs is a core responsibility of all staff regardless of position.

1. Attend required abuse risk management training.
2. Adhere to policies related to boundaries with consumers.
3. Adhere to procedures related to managing and supervising high-risk activities.
4. Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
5. Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Communication: Interprets messages and body language effectively.  Listens with intent to understand the perspective of others by using appropriate communication methods, including open-ended questions.
• Developing Self & Others: Supports members, participants or project teams in achieving their goals.
• Reflects on and learns from successes and mistakes. Proactively shares information, experiences, lessons learned, and suggestions to help others be more successful.  Volunteers for challenging tasks or projects in an effort to grow and develop.  Solicits and is open to informal learning opportunities to gain insight (ex., performance feedback, coaching, stretch goals).
• Emotional Maturity: Acts in alignment with personal and organizational values in all situations.  Remains calm and objective when under pressure or when challenged by others.  Accepts responsibility for behavior.  Leads with empathy, anticipating how actions and words impact others.  Operates with openness and a willingness to receive ongoing feedback from all levels of the organization.
• Inclusion: Embraces all dimensions of diversity (i.e., ability, age, culture, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, income, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc.) by treating all people with dignity, compassion, and respect.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age of 15
• Certifications: Basic life support or professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration
• Current YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor certification, or equivalent
• Child abuse prevention training within 90 days of hire date
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness
• Must be able to demonstrate swim instructor skills in accordance with YMCA standards

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.

• Physically perform all skills required of a swim lessons instructor.
• Ability to demonstrate, instruct, and observe proper stroke techniques.
• Ability to lift equipment, and to lift a small to average size child.
• Must be able to be in the pool for extended periods of time (sometimes cooler water temperatures).
• Communicate verbally, including projecting voice across distance, in normal and loud situations.
• Recognize distress signals through sight and sound in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around pool area.
• See and observe all class participants at all times.