Certified Lifeguard & Swim Instructor - MD

The Position

At Headfirst, we design fun, intentional, and transformational camp experiences where every camper feels seen, known, and celebrated. Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. Through thoughtfully planned activities and trained staff, we create what we call Headfirst Moments: when a camper tries something new, pushes through fear, and realizes, “I can do it.”

Headfirst Summer Camp Certified Lifeguards & Swim Instructors balance time supervising pool safety as a lifeguard and teaching swim classes. This includes writing home to parents about camper’s progress in the pool, and assisting in swim testing for recreational swim blocks. We provide the pool policies, instructional swim curriculum & daily camp schedules along with all equipment for a successful day at the pool but need you to bring camp to life with your enthusiasm and eye for safety.

Camper ages: 3-12 years old

Activities include:

As a lifeguard: swimming supervision, reinforcement of safety policies and guidelines, administration of first aid and CPR, back boarding, and emergency procedures as needed

As a swim instructor: blowing bubbles, floating on front and back, swim strokes, kicking, adding breaths to strokes, jumping into the pool, recreational free swim

Schedule:

In-season (late June through mid August): 7:45 am – 3:30 pm Monday – Friday

Pre-season (early June): select weekends for training and site preparation

Compensation: $15 - $18 / hour

• Big Picture:
  Keep the Aquatics Area Safe and Bring a Love of Swimming to Life
  • Supervise swimming activities and ensure that policies, guidelines, and safety procedures are followed and understood by both campers and staff, with retraining as needed
  • Administer first aid in the event of injury, rescue swimmers in distress or danger of drowning, and administer CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary
  • Teach small groups of 4 to 6 campers in pre‑written instructional swim curriculum, implementing Headfirst‑specific swim level expectations and adaptations
  • Complete thorough, timely, and accurate written weekly individual camper swim reports based on the week’s activities
  • Implement Headfirst’s safety protocols on supervision, bathrooms, emergency policies, and pool safety procedures
  • Attend in‑season safety trainings and consistently strive for personal growth in learning swim instruction and improving first responder skills
  • Execute morning and afternoon carpool as a key player, welcoming each family to camp by name with fantastic dance moves and coordinated carpool procedures
• Nurture Physical, Social & Emotional Safety
  • Work directly with campers to support them in their emotional, physical, and social development through hands‑on exploration and developmentally appropriate activities
  • Get to know each camper’s individual swim needs and encourage developmentally and individually appropriate growth in swim skills
• Represent Headfirst for Families & Facility Partners
  • Represent the Headfirst brand daily to families at carpool and to school facility partners throughout the summer by being enthusiastic, helpful, hands‑on, and in uniform
  • Actively participate in our efforts to take care of our camp facility and community
• Be an Active Member of the Camp Team
  • Arrive on time, communicate schedule changes promptly, be a loyal and consistent team member who shows up for the campers and your team
  • Be flexible with your assignment and open to supporting other programs on site
• Handle the Curveballs
  • Practice resiliency and arrive with a “How Can I Help?” mentality that puts camper experience and team success at the forefront through problem solving and trying new things

Must be at least 16 years old with at least (2) years of high school completed or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience:
  • Experience in swim instruction is preferred, but not required (we will teach you!)
• Must be able to:
  • Swim and be in a swimming pool for extended periods of time.
  • Work around small children including sitting, standing, running, and climbing stairs for the full day.
  • Work in hot and outdoor environments while actively supervising campers and participating in dynamic activities for…