Summer Academy Water Safety Instructor

Water Safety Instructor Horizons Greater Washington is seeking a passionate and energetic individual who wishes to transform children's lives as a Water Safety Instructor. The Water Safety Instructor (WSI) position will lead swim instruction individually as well as in partnership with other WSI and will work collaboratively across four different pool sites. Work Locations: Embassy of Switzerland 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 UDC Natatorium EB Henderson Sports Complex 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 George Washington University Mount Vernon Campus Swim Center 2100 Foxhall Road NW Washington, DC 20007 NOTE: Pool is accessed from Whitehaven Parkway, across from St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School Schedule: WSIs have a part-time schedule of approximately 10-20 hours per week within our core program hours of Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 3:00 pm. 2026 Program Dates: WSI Training: TBD Staff Orientation: 06/23/2026-06/26/2026 Summer Program: 06/29/2026-07/31/2026 There will be no program on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day on July 4th. About Horizons Greater Washington: Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, is a dedicated leader in advancing educational opportunities by creating long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create enriching out-of-school experiences that ignite the joy of learning for our students. HGW supports over 400 students across grades 19 with robust year-round programming. Our approach is centered on whole-child development, specifically focusing on building problem-solving skills, fostering a strong sense of community responsibility, and instilling respect for self and others. By maintaining this multi-year commitment from the first to the ninth grade, HGW cultivates meaningful, long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated, supportive staff. Our program design and staff practices utilize a Positive Youth Development framework, prioritizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment to effectively meet the needs of our youth. The cornerstone of our work is the five-week Summer Academy, which expertly blends high-quality academicswith a specific focus on math, humanities, literacy, and STEAMwith comprehensive social-emotional learning, arts instruction, swimming, and confidence-building opportunities. Position Description: HGW is seeking a passionate and energetic individual who wishes to positively impact children's lives as a Water Safety Instructor. Swimming is a core component of the Horizons model and an essential part of our overall strategy to advance equity. Students often begin the program as non-swimmers who are afraid of the water. The Water Safety Instructor will work to ensure that our staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to turn our students into confident, able swimmers whose newfound self-esteem and resilience spills over to the classroom. Core Duties and Responsibilities: Under direction of the Swim Director, the Water Safety Instructor's responsibilities include but are not limited to: Attending orientation sessions (during the week of June 23) prior to the start of the program Implementing a standardized swimming curriculum that is in compliance with organizational goals and relevant state regulations Leading all swim instruction, including directing both the Swim Program Support Staff and Program Support Staff where their support is needed in the pool and/or on the pool deck Introducing water safety and survival concepts and skills to students when appropriate Enforcing pool safety standards for all students and staff through consistent and open communication Organizing and assisting in the design and implementation of special programs, activities, or instruction related to the pool (e.g., Swim Olympics) Completing and submitting records and documentation of completed lessons and promotions to the Site Director on a regular basis Monitoring and documenting student progress through weekly swim assessments Providing ongoing guidance to other HGW staff to ensure the effective and safe teaching of swimming competencies Maintaining an ongoing program of personal physical fitness, which may involve direct instruction of students in the pool Working with aquatics facility staff to ensure students are adhering to all building rules and regulations Ensuring that all HGW staff and volunteers perform as a team to maintain high safety standards and program quality. Communicate with Swim Volunteers regarding program and schedule changes, such as weather-related closures or delays Maintain HGW equipment for use with students Requirements: Required Qualifications and Competencies: Current American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction Certification, including CPR-PR/AED, First Aid for adult, swimmer and infant (or the ability to secure such certification prior to the start of the program) Excellent swimming proficiency High school diploma 18 years old or older Preferred Qualifications and Competencies: Preference for our GW location will be given to candidates who have or will be able to obtain the American Red Cross Lifeguard certification prior to the start of our program. Previous swim instruction or coaching experience is preferred Experience working with wide range of ages and aquatic proficiencies, with preference given to candidates who have worked with children age 6 to 10 and/or individuals with water trauma Administrative experience, especially as it relates to instruction and/or swimming Dual certification in WSI and Lifeguard Bilingual English and Spanish Compensation: The base pay for this position is $28.00 per hour. In addition to the base hourly rate, candidates with a Lifeguard certification will receive an additional $1.50 per hour in compensation. WSI Certification Stipend: If you acquired a WSI certification between September 2025 and June 1, 2026, HGW will reimburse the fees paid for your WSI certification upon successful completion of your employment in our summer program. Work Permits: Employees under the age of 18 must have a work permit from DC or MD. How to Apply: Please fill out our online application, which will include uploading a current copy of your resume. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning in mid-January. Final candidates will be subject to a reference check. Background Check Requirements: All offers of employment to employees 18 or over are contingent on the successful completion of the background checks described below: Fingerprinting (FBI) (MD & DC) MD Criminal Database Background Check (MD) Maryland Child Protective Services Clearance (MD) DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR)(DC) Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check (DC) National Sex Offender Registry (DC) All offers of employment at Horizons Greater Washington are contingent upon clear results of the above suitability checks. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates immediately after acceptance of employment offer and on all employees who are promoted, as deemed necessary. COVID-19: Horizons Greater Washington is committed to providing and maintaining a workplace that is free of known hazards. As such, we strongly encourage our employees to receive the latest COVID vaccination to minimize the risk of infectious disease in our workplace. Environmental and Physical Conditions: The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of up to 20 pounds. Work includes regular time in a chlorinated pool and on commercial school buses

Created: 2026-03-07