Summer Academy Water Safety Instructor

Overview 

HGW is seeking a passionate and energetic individual who wishes to transform children's lives as a Water Safety Instructor. 

Work Locations 

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.  

In the application, candidates will be asked to share their preference for the following locations: 

Embassy of Switzerland 

2900 Cathedral Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20008 

UDC Natatorium 

EB Henderson Sports Complex 

4200 Connecticut Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20008 

Montgomery College, Germantown Campus 

20200 Observation Drive #4067 

Germantown, MD 20876 

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. 

2025 Program Dates 

WSI Training: TBD  

Staff Orientation: 06/23/2025-06/26/2025 

Summer Program: 06/27/2025-08/01/2025 

*There will be no program on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day  

About Horizons Greater Washington  

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, advances its mission of educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning. HGW supports over 400 students in grades 1-9 with year-round programming, developing the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, and instill respect for self and others. By spanning from first to ninth grade, the program nurtures long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated staff who support them throughout the year. HGW program design and staff practices follow a Positive Youth Development approach, emphasizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment as key components that meet the needs of youth.  The five-week Summer Academy is Horizons’ core program, blending high-quality academics – with an emphasis on literacy, math, and STEAM – with social-emotional learning, swimming, hands-on projects, high-quality art lessons, and confidence-building challenges to boost engagement and improve outcomes.    

Position Description  

HGW is seeking a passionate and energetic individual who wishes to transform 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 
• 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 

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) 
• Previous swim instruction or coaching experience is required 
• Excellent swimming proficiency 
• High school diploma 
• 18 years old or older  

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies  

• Experience working with wide range of age bands 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  

Compensation  

The pay for this position is $28.00 per hour. 

WSI Certification Stipend 

If you acquired a WSI certification between September 2024 and June 1, 2025, 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. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with children and other staff. May be in situations which require conflict resolution. The employee must have visual, auditory, and physical ability to respond quickly to critical incidents involving students and act in an emergency situation.  

Horizons Greater Washington is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, matriculation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, homeless status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.