Summer Program Water Safety Instructor Floater

Horizons Greater Washington 

Summer Program Water Safety Instructor Floater 

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 WSIs and will work collaboratively across three different pool sites.  The WSI Floater must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel amongst sites throughout a single day and throughout the week and summer. 

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 20-30 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: 06/29/2025-07/31/2025 

*There will be no program on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day  

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 1–9 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 academics—with a specific focus on math, humanities, literacy, and STEAM—with 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 the 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) before 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 

Floater Duties and responsibilities: 

• May be assigned to support classes at any of our three swim sites between 9 am and 12 pm, Monday-Friday? 
• Helps coordinate coverage for absent WSI and lifeguard staff  
• Organizes swim volunteers for all 3 sites? 
• Assists with data collection, entry, and analysis regarding the swimming program for all three Swim sites 
• Fills out the daily summary report for the Swim Director? 
• Coordinates with WSIs and Swim site staff to ensure the Horizons Greater Washington Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is being followed? 
• Dual certification WSI and ARC LG required  
• Liaises with the Swim Director as needed? 
• Fills out incident reports and communicates with HGW site directors when necessary  

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) 
• Lifeguard Certification  
• 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 
• Bilingual English and Spanish 

Compensation  

 The base pay for this position is $29.50 per hour, as it requires both WSI and Lifeguard certification.    

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.

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.  

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.??