Swim Lesson Instructor

Salary: $16.00 Hourly
Location : McHenry Recreation Center
Job Type: Seasonal
Job Number: 00131
Department: Parks & Recreation Department
Division: Athletics & Aquatics
Opening Date: 07/22/2025

Develop and educate the McHenry Parks & Recreation swim lessons for youth ages 6 months to adults. Nurture the development and swim mechanics in participants while providing a safe and controlled environment. Instructor is responsible for planning lessons, motivating students, correcting swimmer's mechanics, and properly demonstrating techniques. They play an integral role in the development of building strong character values in youth. The staff is a representative of the philosophy, mission, and goal of the City of McHenry and its parks and recreation department. Staff must strive to work cooperatively with the Aquatics Supervisor/Aquatics Coordinator and fellow employees to achieve the goals and objectives of the City of McHenry Parks & Recreation department.

Job Duties
DECISION MAKING AND JUDGEMENT

• Organize and direct small group activities/exercises as directed by ARC Learn-to-Swim standards
• Assesses swimmer's skills, monitors students during lessons, and keeps the coordinator informed of issues/performance of students
• Ability to handle and resolve conflicts between participants and parents
• Actively engage each student for the duration of the lessons
• Develop lessons to meet class size and needs along with flexibility to adjust class based on participants abilities
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with program participants and parents
• Be responsible for maintaining order and discipline within assigned group
• Be prepared to discuss with a parent any experience a child has during program
• Supervise volunteers while they are working, assist other staff, and follow/enforce policies set forth by supervisors

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Will be at your program area and set up 10 minutes prior to start of scheduled activities
• Displays appropriate role model behavior and maintains honest, trustworthy, and responsible conduct towards students, officials, other employees, and spectators
• Keep program areas clean, neat, and organized to optimize customer satisfaction
• Runs lessons according to block schedule to maximize in water time
• Distributes equipment, supplies, and uniforms to students
• Readies all equipment and necessary teaching tools prior to the start or class
• Never turns their back on the students and doesn't exit the water or leave the pool deck until their last swimmer is out of the water and returned to their parents.
• Maintain inventories and report any equipment problems or needs to the Aquatics Coordinator
• Report any incidents or conflicts directly to Aquatics Coordinator/Aquatics Supervisor within 24 hours
• Assists Aquatics Coordinator with submitting a list of student advancement and providing constructive feedback to help improve overall value of program - must submit completed daily attendance records for every session taught
• Ability to attend regular scheduled program events, trainings, and additional meetings as needed
• Complete necessary swimmer evaluations and progress reports by due dates for each session
• Perform support tasks such as distributing and maintaining welcome packets, emergency data, and other records
• Submit attendance rosters, timesheets, and evaluations to Swim Lesson Coordinator in a timely manner

SUPERVISION

• Maintains order and safety in swimming areas
• Always assists in enforcing city and aquatics policies
• Keep accurate count of children in program
• Accountable for set-up and take-down of equipment for program
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to swim or demonstrate the competitive strokes of front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly
• Understanding of swim lesson terminology and ability to explain to participants and parents
• Ability to multi-task and handle high pressure situations in loud environments
• Must be motivated and able to implement oral and written instructions
• Must be able to communicate respectfully and effectively with supervisor, co-workers, parents, and children ages 6 months-18 years old
• Must be physically able to lift a child (if necessary)
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must be able to evaluate situations and make decisions within established policies and standards
• Requires frequent lifting and moving of equipment and supplies
• Must be able to participate in activities
• Knowledge and physical ability to respond in emergency situations
• Candidate must be energetic, outgoing, and interested in being a positive role model to young children
• Candidate must possess strong oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Candidate must possess ability to be flexible and adjust to changing work environment
• Candidate must possess creativity, initiative, and willingness to learn and implement new ideas
• Candidate must be trained and certified in First Aid, CPR, AED, and American Red Cross WSI

ACCURACY

• Requires accurate record keeping for programs

PARTICIPANT SAFETY

• Review and understand all emergency drills and be prepared to implement them
• Requires considerable attention and alertness to safety hazards
• Must be able to take on a leadership role in matters of safety

PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES:

• Fill in at various positions when there are personnel shortages, vacations, or special projects
• Other related duties as assigned and perform all duties in a respectful and responsible manner
• Maintains necessary records
• Adheres to all policies and procedures

Qualifications

• Must be 15 years of age or older
• Must be an example of good moral behavior
• Must have previous experience working with children
• Basic First Aid, CPR, AED, and American Red Cross WSI certification current or obtained before first session
• Desire to work with children and parents on a daily basis
• Willingness to project the City of McHenry image by personal adherence to all policies
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret and administer all policies, established by the City of McHenry Parks & Recreation department, to all employees and volunteers you may come in contact with
• At least 6 months to 2 years experience working with children
• At least 1 year previous experience in aquatics field or competing on a competitive swim team
• Prefer one or more years of college in a related field (i.e. recreation, child development, sports management, physical education, etc.)

The City of McHenry is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.