Master Swim Instructor

Why Your Role Matters

Swimming lessons are vital for everyone, especially children. Not only do they reduce the risk of drowning, but they also provide an enjoyable way to stay active and promote healthy living from an early age. As a Swim Instructor at the Greater Austin YMCA, you play a key role in creating an experience where participants develop a love and respect for water while building confidence that lasts a lifetime.

How You Make an Impact   

• Proactively monitor pool areas and enforce safety rules to prevent accidents, creating a secure space where members can enjoy the water with confidence. 
• Connect with participants and families, offering constructive feedback and encouraging progress.
• Arrive early, ready to teach, and manage class transitions seamlessly to maintain flow.
• Never leave the pool unattended; actively engage with swimmers, ensuring safety and effective instruction.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, progress, and evaluations to support continuous improvement.
• Inform members about pool rules and safety procedures, encouraging compliance and helping them feel secure while engaging in water-based activities. 
• Provide first aid as needed, ensuring timely and accurate incident documentation and reporting.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the pool area and locker rooms, ensuring a pleasant, hygienic space where members can relax and enjoy their time. 
• Attend all required trainings and staff meetings to stay up-to-date with safety procedures and best practices, improving your skills and enhancing your impact. 
• Demonstrate YMCA's purpose and values in all interactions, helping to create a culture of respect, care, and community. 
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization, sharing the Y's work and culture with members, peers, and guests and fostering a sense of belonging. 
• Assist with any other tasks as assigned, contributing to the overall success and positive atmosphere of the YMCA. 

What You Bring to the Y  

• Must be a minimum of 16 years old.
• Excellent swimming skills with the ability to teach various swimming techniques.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations.
• Swim Instructor Experience is a plus.
• Current certifications in First Aid, CPR/AED, and Emergency Oxygen.
• YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor or American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certifications preferred
• You have a growth mindset - You quickly learn from failure and value feedback in an effort to continuously improve. 
• You are a team player--You are a team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude and can work well with others.  
• You communicate effectively - You listen for understanding and meaning. You speak and write effectively.  
• You are customer-focused -- You build good customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions. 
• You foster a culture of inclusion and belonging - You leverage people's differences as strengths.  

Physical Requirements:  

This position requires working in a pool environment, with exposure to water, chlorine, and varying temperatures. The Swim Instructor must be able to stand, walk, swim, and remain alert for extended periods. You will be required to demonstrate swimming techniques, perform strokes, and actively engage with participants in the water. Effective communication is essential to program participants. Additionally, you must be able to assist swimmers and lift or guide participants as needed to support their learning and development. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Location

5315 Ed Bluestein Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78723, United States

About Us

The Greater Austin YMCA is a dynamic force elevating quality of life in Greater Austin by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our rapidly growing community. For nearly 75 years, the Greater Austin YMCA has evolved to address each community's greatest needs, touching every phase of life and nurturing happier, healthier people, a stronger community and a better world.

We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality programs that keep our community strong. As a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide financial assistance to expand access so community members can learn, grow, and thrive through our early learning academies, fitness and wellness centers, youth programs, workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling, and more.

Each year, the Y serves nearly 140,000 people across Travis and Hays counties through seven fitness and wellness centers, more than 55 licensed campuses in four school districts, two YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ locations, and Camp Moody, our outdoor Adventure camp.

Globally, the YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-serving organizations in the world, united by our commitment to a better future -- for all.

Additional Information:

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Greater Austin YMCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Greater Austin YMCA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which we have employees. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We Take Care of Our People

• Benefit from a free household YMCA membership, enriching both your life and the lives of others.
• Access retirement planning options to secure your future.
• Enhance your skills through participation in learning and development workshops.
• Exclusive cell phone plan discounts for AT&T and T-Mobile/Sprint users.
• Discounts on programs and services to make your YMCA experience even more rewarding.

Pay Range: $15.00 to $24.00 per hour, DOE