Aquatics Specialist

Lifeguard & Swim Instructor | Full-Time & Part-Time

Penobscot Bay YMCA | Rockport, Maine

Make a Splash. Make a Difference. Join Our Team!

Do you love the water? Enjoy helping others build confidence, learn new skills, and stay safe? Looking for a job where you can make a difference in your community every day?

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is looking for enthusiastic, dependable, and safety-minded individuals to join our Aquatics team as an Aquatics Specialist!

This exciting position combines the responsibility of keeping swimmers safe with the rewarding experience of teaching children and adults how to swim. As an Aquatics Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference both on the pool deck and in the water!

Don't have your certifications yet? We can help! We offer FREE lifeguard and swim instructor certification training to qualified candidates who successfully pass the required certifications.

Whether you're looking for a full-time career with benefits or a consistent part-time schedule, we'd love to hear from you!

Why You'll Love Working at the Y

Competitive Pay Based on Experience & Scheduled Hours

• Part-Time: Starting at $19.50 per hour, with higher rates available based on experience, qualifications, and regularly scheduled hours.
• Full-Time: $21.50–$25.50 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications, plus eligible benefits.

FREE Certification Training!

Interested in becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor? We'll provide certification training at no cost to qualified candidates who successfully pass the required tests.

A Meaningful Career

Help swimmers of all ages develop confidence, learn essential water safety skills, and enjoy everything our aquatic programs have to offer.

Variety in Your Workday

Enjoy a combination of lifeguarding, teaching swim lessons, and supporting aquatic programs. No two days are exactly alike!

Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities

We offer both full-time and part-time positions, with schedules that may include mornings, evenings, and weekends.

YMCA Benefits

Eligible employees enjoy benefits according to their employment status and current YMCA policies, including opportunities for paid time off, YMCA membership, and additional full-time benefits.

What You'll Do

As a Lifeguard & Swim Instructor, you'll play an important role in keeping our pools safe while helping participants develop lifelong swimming skills.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain active surveillance of assigned swimming areas and enforce pool safety rules.
• Respond promptly and professionally to emergencies in accordance with your training and certifications.
• Teach engaging group and private swim lessons using YMCA curriculum.
• Adapt lessons to accommodate swimmers of different ages, abilities, and comfort levels.
• Encourage swimmers, celebrate their progress, and help build confidence in the water.
• Maintain accurate attendance and swimming skill records.
• Communicate positively with participants, families, and fellow team members.
• Help maintain clean, organized, and safe aquatic areas.
• Support aquatic programming and scheduling needs as assigned.
• Participate in required training and maintain all necessary certifications.

Important: Lifeguarding and swim instruction are separate assignments. Employees are not expected to provide active lifeguard surveillance while teaching lessons.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for individuals who are reliable, encouraging, safety-conscious, and passionate about helping others.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Current YMCA Lifeguard certification or equivalent accepted by the YMCA.
• Current YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor certification or equivalent accepted by the YMCA.
• Current professional rescuer CPR/AED or basic life support certification, and first aid.
• Ability to demonstrate required lifeguarding, rescue, and swim instruction skills.
• Strong communication skills and a positive, professional attitude.
• Willingness to complete required YMCA onboarding and child abuse prevention training within two weeks of hire.

Our YMCA Culture

At the Y, we are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined. We strive to strengthen our community and help all individuals belong and thrive.

The Penobscot Bay YMCA maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse.

Ready to Dive In?

At the Penobscot Bay YMCA, you're not just filling a position. You're helping children overcome fears, teaching skills that can last a lifetime, and making our community a safer, healthier place.

Join our Aquatics team and make a difference, one swimmer at a time!

Apply today!