Water Safety Instructor ($21.61/hour - $29.17/hour)

Do you want to teach someone a lifelong skill they will never forget? Become a Water Safety Instructor and teach the community how to swim!

POSITION SUMMARY

Under direct or general supervision from the Recreation Supervisor, instructs in swim skills for participants at all skill levels; instructs water safety courses; instructs in swim skills for swim team participants; supervises and evaluates course participants, conducts patron surveillance acting as a lifeguard, protects the health and safety of participants when aquatic facility is open, assists with maintaining the pool and surrounding facility area, and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level classification in the Water Safety series. Incumbents in this class are primarily responsible for instructing swim skills at all skill levels in addition to as acting as a lifeguard but may also perform general duties to assist with pool maintenance and operations. This class can be distinguished from the class of Lifeguard because incumbents in this class have a nationally recognized certification in Water Safety.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Incumbents may not perform all duties. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• All duties and responsibilities of a Lifeguard
• Provides instruction in the Learn to Swim program.
• Provides instruction in water safety courses
• Provides instruction in swim skills for swim team participants
• 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

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. The functions of this position are primarily performed in outdoor locations as part of a team. The setting includes various weather conditions, including heat and sunshine. Incumbents must wear an appropriate uniform with identification and protective equipment. The environment requires working in and around water as well as slippery and/or wet surfaces. Specialized aspects of the work environment may also include high noise levels, working with participants who are using potentially dangerous sports equipment, and risk of exposure to pool water treatment chemicals and cleaning agents. Incumbents may be assigned an irregular working schedule including weekends, early mornings, evenings and holidays and may have to travel between various locations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have: hearing and speech adequate to communicate in person, by telephone, by PA system and by radio, and to speak loudly in a noisy setting; vision adequate to clearly distinguish objects and persons at a distance and to identify signs of swimmer distress; bodily movement adequate to frequently sit, stand, walk, run, jump, climb, swim, dive, reach, turn, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crawl, and push/pull; ability to raise arms above shoulder height; manual dexterity adequate to grasp objects, use fine manipulation, write and operate office machines and equipment; strength and endurance to safely swim 300 yards, perform lifting and carrying of items/persons up to 50 pounds, and work outdoors in the sun for prolonged periods of time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Ability and Skill to:

• Perform all swimming strokes according to American Red Cross standards; engage in physical activity such as swimming and treading water
• Instruct, demonstrate and train patrons in a variety of swimming skills and techniques
• Develop and implement lesson plans for swimming instruction and certification activities
• Work with adults, children and families participating in a variety of aquatic recreational activities
• Monitor compliance with District regulations and policies, and general safety practices related to pools and aquatic activities; firmly but tactfully enforce rules and regulations
• React quickly and calmly in emergencies; rescue swimmers in distress
• Perform First Aid and CPR and use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
• Maintain discipline, order and safety in a crowded and loud environment
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people
• Respond appropriately to changing situations and stressful conditions
• Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the work

Knowledge of:

• Teaching approaches for varying age, experience and ability of participants so they can meet course objectives
• Aquatic lifesaving methods and procedures; first aid and resuscitation measures.
• Instruction techniques based on swim skill progressions from basic to advanced
• Standard safety rules and regulations related to public aquatic activities.

Education/Experience/Training:

• Previous experience with aquatics programs is required
• Must possess current certificates in Lifeguard Training, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, as well as standard First Aid, and must maintain certifications thereafter as a condition of continued employment
• Must possess a current Water Safety Instructor certificate
• Any combination of experience, training and/or education that provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the class is acceptable

Special Requirements:

• Must be at least 16 years of age
• If 16-18 years of age and still in high school, must possess a valid work permit
• If 18 years of age or older, must pass a fingerprint and/or background clearance prior to employment.
• Completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination series is recommended
• Provide proof of negative TB Skin Test
• Verification of ID and ability work in the USA