Swim Instructor

Salary: $19.25 - $23.10 Hourly
Location : San Ramon, CA
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 2026-02-X345
Department: Parks and Community Services
Opening Date: 02/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
Open Until Filled

If you are interested in other positions, you must apply to those recruitments directly as this submission is restricted to the Swim Instructor classification.

DEFINITION
Under direct or general supervision, teaches learn-to-swim and water safety courses, supervises and evaluates swim lesson participants, protects the health and safety of participants in each class, assists with maintaining the pool and surrounding facility area, and performs related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct or general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May exercise technical and functional direction and provide training to other staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is an entry-level class in the Parks and Community Services Department. Positions in this class typically have basic work-related experience and work under direct or general supervision. Swim Instructor is distinguished from the Senior Lifeguard in that the later requires more responsibility and experience.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides instruction in the Learn to Swim program.
• Greets the public, responds to patrons' questions and inquiries concerning programs;
• Supervises and ensures the safety of swim lesson participants.
• Creates and implements age-appropriate lessons.
• Assesses students' skills, abilities and tests swim lesson participants.
• Ensures Swim Lesson report cards are completed correctly and on time.
• Provides feedback to supervisors regarding program goals, objectives, and activity schedules to the public, participants or supervisors.
• Attends mandatory trainings and meetings.
• Maintains a safe program environment and facility.
• Assists in supervision of participants in program area.
• Facilitates recreation activities according to prepared curriculum.
• Assists senior staff and supervisors as directed.
• Keeps records and reports.
• Prepares facility, pool, teaching aids and equipment for use during swim instruction; and store equipment and materials when not in use.
• Cautions swimmers regarding unsafe practices and safety hazards; enforces pool rules and regulations; maintains order in and around the pool; and maintains control of swim students during lessons.
• Communicates regularly with program participants and their parents, as appropriate, to ensure they are aware of progress.
• Follows the City and Parks and Community Services Department policies and procedures.
• Presents and maintains a professional appearance and demeanor, including wearing appropriate uniform or attire for the position and exhibiting respect and enthusiasm as duties and responsibilities are carried out.
• Organizes and teaches water safety and swim classes with individual and group instruction in a safe manner.
• Demonstrates skills as required for class content and uses teaching aids such as kickboards, diving rings and lifejackets.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Adapt teaching approaches to the age, experience and ability of participants so they can meet course objectives.
• Safety methods and procedures necessary to ensure public safety in and around a pool.
• Policies and procedures of the swimming pool facility.
• Basic facility programs such as e-mail, scheduling and registration software
• Professional work habits including reliability, dependability, creativity, and demonstration of enthusiasm for the job.
• Techniques for effectively dealing with individuals of various ages, various socio-economic and ethnic groups, and effectively representing the City in contacts with the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Conduct one's self in a professional manner.
• Think clearly and act quickly and decisively in emergency situations while remaining calm
• Perform First Aid and CPR and use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
• Develop and implement lesson plans for swimming instruction and certification activities.
• Instruct, demonstrate and train patrons in a variety of swimming skills and techniques.
• Learn and enforce City swimming pool rules, regulations, and policies.
• Perform all swimming strokes according to American Red Cross standards; engage in physical activity such as swimming and treading water.
• Function effectively under direct supervision and to develop effective working relationships with fellow City employees and the public.
• Receive direction and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Handle multiple tasks.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Deal with difficult or stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Must be a minimum of 15 years old and demonstrated experience in skilled aquatic activities is desirable.
• Appropriate clearances from background check/fingerprinting and documentation of a negative skin test for TB within the last two (2) years are required.

Licenses and Certifications:
At the option of the City, persons hired into this class may be required to either possess at entry or obtain within specified time limits designated licenses, certificates or specialized education and training relevant to the area of assignment. Additional requirements may include, but are not limited to:

• Current certification in CPR/AED and First Aid is desirable.
• Current certification in American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor is desirable.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office and/or recreational facility setting and use standard office and/or recreation equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Must possess the physical stamina to lift and move tables and chairs and arrange facilities for community events and/or meetings. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, and walk on uneven surfaces to participate in recreational activities; and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

• Employees may work in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and/or hot temperatures, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards. Incumbents may be exposed to blood and body fluids rendering First Aid and CPR and are required to wear appropriate attire for the recreation activity to which they are assigned. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, at a variety of City facilities.

FLSA: NON-EXEMPT, TEMPORARYEFFECTIVE: MARCH 2019
Recruitment Process
Ready to Join the Team? Apply Now!
Where Can I Obtain a CPR/First Aid Certification?

Resources for CPR/First Aid include, but are not limited to:

Adams Safety in San Ramon ()
American Red Cross ()
American Heart Association ()
Heart Start CPR ()
DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Recruitment Process:

The most qualified applicants, as determined by initial screening of applications, will be invited to participate in an interview and testing process that may consist of written and oral board interview.

The City of San Ramon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex origin or disability. In accordance with Federal law, the City of San Ramon will only hire individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States. As a condition of employment, you will be required to present proof of your identity and employment eligibility. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at (925) 973-2523.

The City of San Ramon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex origin or disability. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at (925) 973-2508.
Information contained herein, including the recruitment process, is subject to change without notice.
This position does not receive benefits.
01

Will you be at least 15 years old by the date of hire?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate which lifeguard certifications you possess. (Check all that apply.)

• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
• First Aid
• CPR/AED
• I currently do not have any certifications.
• I currently do not have any certifications, but I am enrolled. (You can tell us where you're enrolled and when you plan to complete the course later on.)

Required Question