Swim Instructor

Job description:

Summary

A Swim Instructor at Sarah Heinz House plays a key role in supporting our mission: to empower all youth, especially those who need us most, to laugh, learn, and lead. Instructors work directly with youth enrolled in our aquatics programs and collaborate closely with the Aquatics Director to deliver safe, effective, and engaging swim instruction. As a role model, instructors are expected to maintain positive, professional relationships with children, parents, staff, volunteers, and the community while upholding the highest standards of care and conduct.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all participants during swim lessons.
• Plan and organize lessons using weekly lesson plans to ensure consistent, skill-appropriate instruction.
• Teach swimming with encouragement, energy, and positive reinforcement.
• Maintain reliable attendance for all scheduled classes to ensure continuity.
• Communicate with parents and staff regarding participant progress and any concerns.
• Demonstrate and teach all four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly).
• Serve as a positive role model for all youth participants.

Qualifications

Required:

• Ability to swim proficiently and teach all four strokes.
• Experience working with or instructing children in a group setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage group behavior and create a safe, inclusive learning environment.

Preferred:

• Prior swim instruction experience.
• Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification.
• Lifeguard certification.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (Red Cross preferred).

Skills and Knowledge

• Passion for working with youth and promoting water safety.
• High energy, patience, and enthusiasm for teaching.
• Strong classroom management and organization skills.
• Reliable, punctual, and consistent.
• Understanding of swim lesson planning and delivery.

Swim Lesson Schedule

Instructors are not required to work every day, but consistent weekly availability is preferred to ensure continuity for the same group of children. Instructors are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to the first lesson. Swim lessons take place during the following times:

Monday-Thursday: 6-8pm