Summer Academy Water Safety Instructor

Overview

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

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
• 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

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.

WSI Training: TBD
Staff Orientation: 06/23/2026-06/26/2026
Summer Program: 06/29/2026-07/31/2026

* There will be no program on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day on July 4th.

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.

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.

• 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
• 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

• 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)
• Excellent swimming proficiency
• High school diploma
• 18 years old or older