Swim Instructor - East Palo Alto

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Swim Instructor teaches swimming skills and water safety techniques to individuals or groups of various ages and skill levels. They develop lesson plans tailored to learners' needs, provide clear instruction and encouragement, and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. The instructor monitors progress, offers feedback, and works closely with participants and parents to promote confidence and skill development in the water.

SALARY RANGE: $23.00 - 25.00/Hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides swimming and water safety instruction to students of all ages and abilities
• Plans and implements program activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, and consistent with YMCA values
• Helps to create new approaches to serve the needs of program participants
• Adheres to program standards, including safety and cleanliness standards, and ensures consistency with evidence-based practices
• Maintains constant supervision of students, identifies students who need assistance, and supports students as necessary to ensure a positive learning environment
• Attends staff meetings and trainings
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies
• Maintains positive relationships with parents and caregivers and other staff. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions
• Complete required abuse prevention training.
• Supervise high-risk activities responsibly and report any unsafe or inappropriate behavior.
• Follow mandated reporting laws for suspected abuse.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Other duties and responsibilities assigned by supervisor

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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.

• Lift equipment and a small- to average-size child.
• Remain in the pool area at all times.
• Remain alert, with no lapses of consciousness, in a warm environment with air temperatures of 80 degrees or higher.
• Recognize distress signals.
• Support child or adult body weight in the water.
• Remain in water ranging from 80--90 degrees for one to four hours.
• Communicate verbally, including projecting voice across distance, in normal and loud situations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age of 15
• Basic life support or professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration certifications and child abuse prevention training within 30 days of hire date
• YMCA Swim Instructor certification or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to recognize students who may need assistance
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and remedy hazardous and dangerous situations
• Demonstrated ability to swim in shallow and deep water and tread water
• Patience and the ability to communicate

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's 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.

Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgement.

Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.

Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.

Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g.: staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.

Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.