Swim Instructor job description template
Swim instructors teach water safety and stroke skills to beginners and improving swimmers, usually in small groups or private lessons. A strong post says who takes your lessons, whether instructors teach in the water or from the deck, and which certifications you require or will help them earn.
Swim Instructor
Part-timeYour Company is hiring a patient, upbeat swim instructor to teach lessons at our pool. You'll lead small groups and private lessons, help nervous beginners feel safe in the water and coach stronger swimmers on their strokes. We provide a lesson plan for every level, paid training and a team of instructors who share tips. If you're a confident swimmer who enjoys teaching, we'd love to see you on deck.
What you’ll do
- Teach group and private lessons following our level-by-level curriculum and lesson plans
- Help nervous beginners get comfortable with floating, blowing bubbles and putting their face in the water
- Teach front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and treading water with clear demonstrations and feedback
- Keep every swimmer in your group within reach or in sight at all times and enforce pool safety rules
- Assess swimmers at the end of each session and recommend when they're ready to move up a level
- Give parents a quick progress update after class and answer questions about next steps
- Set out and put away kickboards, noodles, mats and other teaching equipment between classes
- Respond to emergencies following our emergency action plan and report incidents to the aquatics manager
What we’re looking for
- Strong, confident swimmer who can demonstrate front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke
- American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification, or willing to earn it with our help
- Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willing to complete it before teaching
- Willing to complete a background check before working with children
- Able to spend several hours in the pool or on deck and physically support swimmers in the water
- Patient, encouraging communication with nervous swimmers and their parents
Nice to have
- Lifeguard certification, such as American Red Cross Lifeguarding
- Competitive swimming, swim team or coaching experience
- Experience teaching parent-and-child classes or adult beginners
Schedule
Part-time, mostly weekday afternoons and evenings plus Saturday mornings, when lessons are in demand. Summer brings extra daytime hours if you want them.
What we offer
- Paid WSI and lifeguard certification courses
- Free pool access for lap swimming outside your lessons
- A consistent weekly lesson schedule built around your availability
- Paid training and shadowing before you teach your own classes
- Staff discount on swim lessons
Add your pay, location and schedule when you post. Jobs that show pay get noticeably more applicants.
Swim Instructor our company is hiring a patient, upbeat swim instructor to teach lessons at our pool. You'll lead small groups and private lessons, help nervous beginners feel safe in the water and coach stronger swimmers on their strokes. We provide a lesson plan for every level, paid training and a team of instructors who share tips. If you're a confident swimmer who enjoys teaching, we'd love to see you on deck. What you’ll do • Teach group and private lessons following our level-by-level curriculum and lesson plans • Help nervous beginners get comfortable with floating, blowing bubbles and putting their face in the water • Teach front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and treading water with clear demonstrations and feedback • Keep every swimmer in your group within reach or in sight at all times and enforce pool safety rules • Assess swimmers at the end of each session and recommend when they're ready to move up a level • Give parents a quick progress update after class and answer questions about next steps • Set out and put away kickboards, noodles, mats and other teaching equipment between classes • Respond to emergencies following our emergency action plan and report incidents to the aquatics manager What we’re looking for • Strong, confident swimmer who can demonstrate front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke • American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification, or willing to earn it with our help • Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willing to complete it before teaching • Willing to complete a background check before working with children • Able to spend several hours in the pool or on deck and physically support swimmers in the water • Patient, encouraging communication with nervous swimmers and their parents Nice to have • Lifeguard certification, such as American Red Cross Lifeguarding • Competitive swimming, swim team or coaching experience • Experience teaching parent-and-child classes or adult beginners Schedule Part-time, mostly weekday afternoons and evenings plus Saturday mornings, when lessons are in demand. Summer brings extra daytime hours if you want them. What we offer • Paid WSI and lifeguard certification courses • Free pool access for lap swimming outside your lessons • A consistent weekly lesson schedule built around your availability • Paid training and shadowing before you teach your own classes • Staff discount on swim lessons
Screening questions for a swim instructor
Ask these on the application form to sort applicants quickly. They’re added automatically when you post this template.
- Can you swim front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke well enough to demonstrate them to students?Yes / No · required
- Which certifications do you hold, such as WSI, lifeguarding or CPR, and when do they expire?Short answer · required
- Describe how you'd help a scared beginner get comfortable putting their face in the water.Paragraph
Swim Instructor interview questions
- A child is crying on the pool steps and won't get in. What do you do?
- How would you run a half-hour group lesson for four beginners at different comfort levels?
- Walk me through how you'd teach rhythmic breathing in front crawl.
- How do you keep track of every swimmer in your group while you're helping one of them?
- A parent thinks their child should have moved up a level by now. How do you handle it?
- What would you do if you saw a swimmer in the next lane struggling?
- How would you adjust your teaching for an adult who's afraid of deep water?
- Which days and times can you commit to for a full session of lessons?
Tips for hiring a swim instructor
- Have finalists get in the water and teach a short mock lesson. In a few minutes you'll see their demonstrations, safety habits and how they give feedback.
- Check certification cards and expiration dates before the first lesson, and keep copies on file.
- Run a background check and call references for every instructor who will teach children.
- Share the opening with local swim clubs, masters swim groups and lifeguard certification classes, where strong swimmers already gather.