Water Safety Instructor

Overview

The award-winning Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department is looking for team-oriented individuals to help us create quality experiences for every participant in our aquatics program. A Water Safety Instructor is responsible for instructing the curriculum of group and private swimming lessons for individuals of all ages and abilities following the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim guidelines. A Water Safety Instructor is a member of the Recreation and Parks staff team that works together to develop aquatics programming for infants through adults of all ages and abilities.

The goal of Brooklyn Park aquatics is to make swimming lessons accessible and ensure water safety throughout the community.

• Obtain & maintain the required Water Safety Instructor certification through the American Red Cross within 2 months of hire.
• Maintain a safe environment for all participants.
• Maintain a positive attitude and help ensure a fun learning experience.
• Prepare lesson plans to correlate with participant level and level being taught.
• Fill out progress reports properly prior to last day of lessons including positive/encouraging comments.
• Help set up/put away equipment and maintain an organized pool environment.
• Enforce all established pool rules during and in-between lessons.
• Follow established emergency procedures and respond appropriately in an emergency.
• Attend all required training.
• Effectively communicate with parents/guardians/adults of participants, supervisors, and hiring managers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

• 15 years of age or older
• Current Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification OR ability to obtain within first 2 months of hire

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position may be considered.

• Knowledge of stroke mechanics and ability to correct participants strokes.
• Knowledge of established pool rules and emergency procedures.
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with supervisors and coworkers in a timely and professional manner.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets/exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
• Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding in the course of work duties.
• Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to embrace and engage in a cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.

• Two (2)+ years of experience teaching Red Cross Learn to Swim program.
• Current Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor certification.
• Competitive swim experience.
• Completion of Red Cross Swimming Level 5 or higher.
• Prior exposure to City of Brooklyn Park Aquatics Program.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao or Vietnamese language(s).

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully and safely perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.

• This is a seasonal, non-benefited position that will work up to 39 hours per week in the summer – Monday through Thursday, depending on participant registration and staff availability. During the September-May, this position will work up to 20 hours per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, depending on participant registration.
• Work is performed in several types of environments that may involve extended periods of standing, and moving about, facilitating a variety of recreational activities during the day, evenings, or weekends in aquatic environments. Traveling between two pool facilities in the Brooklyn Park area may be required. Water Safety Instructors may need to be able to lift objects weighing up to 30lbs.

The City has determined that a criminal background check, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (MN BCA) and/or qualifications check may be…