Swim Instructor

At the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, we are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Swim Instructor to join our team. As a Swim Instructor, you will be responsible for conducting swimming lessons and ensuring participant safety at all times.

• Instruct swimming lessons in accordance with YMCA guidelines, having prepared lesson plans accordingly.
• Build effective, authentic relationships with students and parents; help them connect with each other and the YMCA.
• Convey information on aquatics programs and schedules and, as appropriate, refer students and parents to other programs.
• Maintain attendance and skill accomplishment records for each participant.
• Maintain teaching equipment and conduct routine checks to ensure participant safety.
• Organize and put away needed class equipment.
• Report any damaged equipment.
• Maintain surveillance of participants and know their location at all times.
• Follow all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures.
• Complete incident and accident reports as necessary.
• Know location of emergency equipment.
• Attend staff meetings and swim instructors in-services as scheduled.
• Train and supervise class aides as assigned.
• Represent the YMCA as a Leader of Aquatics Safety committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor or designated staff person.

• Ability to read, write, and perform simple mathematical functions.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Current Red Cross CPR-PR/AED/First Aid Certification OR equivalent - prior to starting.
• Intro to Y's Cause & Culture Online Course - prior to starting if hired.
• Training to be completed within the first 30 days and maintained afterwards.

• Ability to demonstrate all skills required to teach participants both in and out of the water.
• Ability to communicate professionally with parents, children, swim instructors and others regardless of their temperament.
• Attend trainings and/or courses as required by the YMCA.
• Continually update skills through quarterly in-services or other trainings and resources.

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, crouch, stoop, crawl, use their hands and fingers to handle or feel, reach with arms and hands and lift up to ten pounds of weight.

Visual, auditory and verbal ability is required to communicate effectively with people and monitor property and activity.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

This position usually works in an indoor aquatics environment, but the mission of the organization may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces.