Water Safety Instructor

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

A nationally accredited team of passionate professionals devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. Our talented team at Durham Parks and Recreation is devoted to community service and provides a diverse range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars of creating equitable economic impacts; advancing conservation; rejuvenating health and wellness; enhancing quality of life and sustaining social equity.  

Hourly Rate:  $19.37

Position is the lead instructor or will assist a lead instructor with the demonstration of swimming skills.  Incumbent leads or assists with facilitating swim lessons and provides program support in a swimming pool environment for a diverse population of all ages and skill sets.

• Takes responsibility for the health, well-being, and safety of program participants

• .Ensures that lifeguards are stationed at appropriate locations on the pool deck to maintain proper supervision during swim lesson classes.

• Teaches swim classes using the guidelines and principles provided by the American Red Cross for the Learn-to-Swim program.

• Completes assessment of overall class abilities and skills needing improvement.

• Evaluates student progress and achievement and determines which levels students have completed, and which skills need improvement.

• Establishes and maintains positive interactions with class participants and facility patrons.

• Provides constructive feedback to participants, parents, and guardians.

• Acts as a role model by demonstrating patience and a calm demeanor while instructing to garner the respect and trust of participants.

• Completes report cards that are given to participants, parents, and guardians at the end of the session, detailing what the participant has learned and what level the participant has completed.

• Works closely with the lead instructor to keep them apprised of concerns and challenges.

• Assists the swim lessons coordinator with recording daily attendance for classes. 

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

-Basic aquatic skills and all swimming strokes. 

-Legal and ethical standards for instructing and safeguarding children. 

-Health and safety requirements for the swimming pool environment.

SKILL IN: 

-Teaching swimming lessons or basic swim strokes. 

-Communicating instructions effectively to individuals and groups. 

-Interacting positively and productively with all ages and skill levels. 

-Organizing and leading group activities. 

-Exhibiting character through positive encouragement, dependability, integrity, and adaptability.

• Ability to read, write and follow directions.

• Must be at least 16 years of age.

• Valid current certification as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor or equivalent such as Ellis Water Safety Plus Course, Start Guard Starfish Swimming Instructor, or YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor.

• Valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED – with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector or obtain Certification within the first six months of employment.

• Willing to teach all levels of swim lessons from parent and child classes to adult classes.
• Able to attend 2-4 hours of required training 4 times in the year.
• Able to communicate through email and/or text messages.