Swim Instructor Aide (WSI-A)

About the Department

The Swim Instructor Aide is responsible for assisting Swim Instructors providing lessons to students following the American Red Cross (ARC) curriculum and guidelines within a safe, enjoyable and positive atmosphere that promotes safety and participant satisfaction.
The Swim Instructor Aide is responsible for assisting Swim Instructors providing lessons to students following the American Red Cross (ARC) curriculum and guidelines within a safe, enjoyable and positive atmosphere that promotes safety and participant satisfaction.

Position Duties

1. Creates a safe, enjoyable and positive class experience.
2. Provides swim instruction assistance under direct supervision of a Swim Instructor (WSI) to students of various ages and levels of ability.
3. Explains and demonstrates proper swimming techniques and aquatic skills.
4. Teaches and encourages participants in the acquisition of new aquatic skills and swimming strokes.
5. Maintains constant supervision of participants, watches for those in need of assistance and aids when necessary to ensure a positive and productive learning experience.
6. Understands and applies the standards of the ARC Swim Lessons program, including swimming levels and skills taught at each.
7. Performs all other related duties as requested or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of age

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities    

• ARC CPR/AED/First Aid certification (WSI-A) within 60 days of hire
• Demonstrated ability to swim in shallow and deep water, and tread water (student certificate in Level 5 swimming ability)
• Ability to perform swimming skills being taught and demonstrate proper techniques
• Exhibits a strong sense of maturity and responsibility
• Ability to recognize swimmers who may need assistance and respond accordingly
• Ability to communicate with participants of all ages and levels        
• Ability to recognize and react to hazardous/dangerous situations

Other Qualifications

EQUIPMENT USED

• Swim lesson equipment
• Computer
• Telephone
• Kickboard
• Lifejacket
• Barbell
• Ring
• Pull Buoy
• Flotation devices
• Megaphone
• Whistle
• First Aid Kit
• PPE
• AED
• Shepherd’s crook

MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
Mental Effort

• Ability to remain alert with no lapses of consciousness for long periods of time in a warm environment with air temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Ability to recognize distress signals
• See, observe and hear all participants and make sound judgements and decisions even when distracted by noise and activity
• Perform all swimming skills being taught
• Attention to safety standards, procedures, and practices

Physical Requirements

• Bending, lifting, carrying up to 40 pounds 
• Ability to remain in the pool area at all times during lessons and capacity to remain in water of 80 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit for one to four hours
• Communicate verbally, including projecting the voice across distance in normal and loud situations
• Ability to demonstrate all swimming skills being taught
• Ability to support child or adult body weight in the water

Working Conditions

• Warm/humid indoor or outdoor environment
• Exposure to sun
• Exposure to slip and falls
• Exposure to pool chemicals

Provides municipal government services to the Chaska community.