Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

Make a difference. Save lives. Teach skills that can last a lifetime.

The YMCA is looking for passionate individuals to join our team as Drowning Prevention Swim Instructors. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community by teaching children essential swimming and water-safety skills that can help prevent drowning.

You do not need to be currently certified to apply. The YMCA will provide the required training and certification at no cost to you.

Drowning Prevention Swim Instructors teach foundational swimming and water-safety skills using the YMCA of the USA Swim Instructor curriculum, with a strong emphasis on water safety, drowning prevention, and helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to stay safer in and around water.

What You'll Do

• Teach swimming and water-safety skills using the YMCA of the USA Swim Instructor curriculum.
• Provide instruction focused on drowning prevention, water safety, and foundational swimming skills.
• Create a safe, positive, encouraging, and engaging learning environment for children.
• Communicate effectively with children and their parents/guardians regarding swimming skills, water safety, and participant progress.
• Monitor and measure participant progress and program outcomes.
• Provide vigilant, attentive, and undistracted supervision of the pool and participants.
• Enforce all pool regulations, YMCA policies, and established safety procedures.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to aquatic emergencies and carry out emergency procedures when necessary.
• Encourage parent and child involvement throughout the program.
• Work with community partners, apartment communities, parents, and YMCA staff to support the program's drowning-prevention mission.

What We're Looking For

You must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Be available to work Monday–Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
• Have reliable transportation.
• Be comfortable and confident in the water.
• Be able to successfully complete the YMCA Lifeguard V7 physical competency requirements.
• Be able to successfully complete the YMCA Swim Instructor V6 physical competency requirements

YMCA Lifeguard Swim Requirement

Before beginning YMCA Lifeguard training, candidates must demonstrate the swimming ability necessary to safely perform the responsibilities of a lifeguard.

Candidates must be able to:

• Complete a continuous 350-yard swim.
• Swim using the required YMCA Lifeguard V7 strokes and sequences.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only their legs — no arms.
• Successfully complete the remaining physical competency requirements as part of the YMCA Lifeguard V7 training process.

We'll Train You — For FREE

No previous lifeguard or swim instructor certification is required.

If you are 17 or older, available during our program hours, and can meet the swimming requirements, we will provide the training you need to become a YMCA-certified lifeguard and swim instructor at no cost to you.

You'll receive training in areas including:

• YMCA Lifeguarding
• YMCA of the USA Swim Instructor
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer
• First Aid
• Water safety and drowning prevention
• Aquatic emergency response

The Opportunity

This isn't just another summer job.

You'll have the opportunity to teach children one of the most important life skills they can learn — how to be safer in and around water.

You'll help children build confidence, develop swimming skills, and learn behaviors that can potentially save their lives.

If you love the water, enjoy working with children, and want to make a real difference in your community, we want to hear from you.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Drowning Prevention Team Leader, who reports to the Associate Vice President of Aquatics.

The position regularly interacts with community partners, apartment community managers, program participants, parents/guardians, and YMCA staff.