Swim Instructor

Salary: $15.00 - $16.50 Hourly
Location : Des Moines, IA
Job Type: Temporary Part-Time
Job Number: 8485-12-2025
Department: Parks
Division: PK201261 - PK Pools
Opening Date: 12/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/13/2026 4:00 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Non
Occupational Group: Non-Civil Service
Location of Vacancy: Parks and Recreation
Recruitment: Entrance
Selection Method: Applicants deemed most qualified based on qualifications may be contacted for an interview. Qualified applicants who need a reasonable accommodation must inform this office at (515) 283-4213 or TTY at Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942 at the time of application.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Under general supervision, to instruct certified swimming instruction programs and safeguard swimming pool/aquatic center patrons in various water areas and depths of aquatic facilities, and to ensure proper use of pool area.

Application Process: Applicants deemed most qualified based on qualifications may be contacted for an interview. If you are submitting an application December - February, please know that it may be approximately 10-15 business days before you receive a response. If you are submitting an application March - July, please know that it may be approximately 5-10 business days before you receive a response.Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until such time a sufficient number of qualified applications is received to fill the positions.

Approximate employment duration: Up to 30 hours per week. Appointments are May until August.

Paid Training: Pools will begin to open May 24, 2026 with paid training beginning May 11, 2026 for staff who are cleared to work.
Acceptable Experience and Training

• Must be 16 years of age.

Required Special Qualifications

• Must have the ability to obtain (by date of employment) a current certification in First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Candidates who possess a current certification as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) by the start of employment will be compensated at a starting rate of $15.50.
• Candidates who do not possess a current WSI certification by the start of employment will be compensated at a starting rate of $15.00.
  • Candidates accepting a conditional offer of employment as a Swim Instructor with the City of Des Moines may have the opportunity to be offered to take the Water Safety Instructor training class through the City of Des Moines. You have the opportunity to be reimbursed for this training by committing to teaching swim lessons for the City of Des Moines throughout the summer. Alternatively, Water Safety Instructor classes are offered year round throughout the community.
• Requires satisfactory criminal, sex offender and if applicable driving record background checks.
• Passing a pre-employment physical and drug screen is required prior to employment.

If you have current certifications such as American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, CPR, AED, First Aid, WSI, etc., please attach these to your application.
Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Instructs various levels of the Swimming and Water Safety program curriculum for American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn to Swim and other Red Cross Water Safety courses and presentations;
• Adapts teaching approaches to the ages, experiences and abilities of participants so they can meet course objectives;
• Communicates regularly with participants and their parents, as appropriate, to ensure they are aware of progress;
• Maintains personal health, fitness and endurance;
• Enforces rules governing the conduct of persons at the swimming pools;
• Performs cleaning duties related to opening, operating and closing the facilities.;
• Attend required in-service meetings;
• Recognizes emergency situations and reacts appropriately in a quick and calm manner;
• Recognizes potentially hazardous conditions and intercedes to correct such conditions;
• Assists with completion of course records and reports; and performs other related work as assigned.

This positions receives only mandatory benefits.
01

Are you or will you be at least 16 years of age on or before May 1, 2026?

• Yes
• No

02

Were you employed by the City of Des Moines during the 2025 Summer Employment Season?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you currently Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified?

• Yes. A copy of your certification is required to verify application qualification and may be submitted to Human Resources via fax to (515) 237-1680, mail or in-person to 1551 E MLK Jr Pkwy, Des Moines IA 50317, or email to humanresources@dmgov.org
• No

04

Describe your prior experience teaching swim lessons including where this experience was obtained and duration. If no experience, please indicate "None".
05

Describe your experience in an instruction related field, such as: teaching, training, coaching or related including where this experience was obtained and duration. If no experience, please indicate "None".
06

Where did you hear about this job? Please select all that apply.

• City of Des Moines website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Job Opening Website such as Indeed, CareerBuilder, GovernmentJobs, Unemployment, etc.
• Current/Former Employee
• School
• Newspaper/Print Ad
• Radio
• Television
• Billboard
• On-site Signage
• Email
• Friend, Family, or word-of-mouth (non-Employee)
• Neighborhood Association
• City Source
• Aquatic Brochure or Program Guide
• Unemployment Office
• Other (please specify below)

07

Please provide details on where you heard about this job.
Required Question