Head Swim Instructor

POSITION TITLE: Head Swim Instructor (Hourly)

REQUISITION #: req8525

DEPARTMENT: Recreation

LOCATION: MULBERRY INDOOR POOL

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights.pdf

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

HOURLY RATE: $17.50 - 19.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 10/1/2026. The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Summary: The Head Swim Instructor supervises swim lesson instructors and lifeguard staff during group swim lessons, administers instruction in swimming techniques, skills, and water safety to participants when needed, and provides customer service to lesson participants and parents. Head Swim Instructors must be Lifeguard certified.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The following duties and responsibilities and illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Has and maintains a current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification.
• Maintains a safe environment for all students.
• Educates the swimming public to the habits and attitudes of safe aquatic activities and encourages their cooperation and support with good public relations.
• Accurately judges placement of students for swim instruction.
• Prepares and signed all aquatic certificates.
• Correctly utilizes and cares for all aquatic equipment and teaching aides.
• Supervises and directs all Swim Instructors and Lifeguards as assigned.
• Maintains a level of physical fitness required fulfilling any rescue or emergency procedure for any circumstance.
• Attends and participates in all required City sponsored clinics, workshops, and meetings.
• Assists in the maintenance and care of the facility, including cleaning duties.
• Performs any other related or similar duties as assigned.
• Attends monthly lifeguard in-service trainings
• Opens or closes facilities when needed in accordance with program schedules

Supervisory Responsibilities: Exercises supervision over Swim Instructors and Lifeguards as assigned.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Swim lesson instruction experience with a variety of skills and age levels
• Occasionally works independently without direct supervision.
• Is liaison between guests and staff.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationship with co‑workers, participants and the public.
• Ability to show sensitivity in dealing with all age groups, persons with disabilities, and a diverse population.
• Ability to show sensitivity in dealing with all age groups, persons with disabilities, and a diverse population.
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Ability to understand and apply department procedures and policies.
• Ability to handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to use table and chair dollies, kitchen equipment, carpet vacuum, standard office equipment including copiers and computers.
• The Aquatics Department has a dynamic and changing schedule. Ability to work varying shifts is desirable, particularly weekends and evenings.

Education and Experience:

Minimum age is 18. Must also be a Head Lifeguard for the City of Fort Collins.

Language Skills: Ability to read instructions and communicate with aquatics supervisor and the general public. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisor, user groups, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve and implement practical solutions to problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Foresee and initiate proactive measures to ensure program quality, customer service and safety.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations:

Must possess current American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification.

Physical Demands:

• Bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, jumping, twisting, balancing kneeling, crouching, reaching and climbing.
• Physical activity required in leading/demonstrating classes.
• Lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds
• Hand-eye coordination for operation of a computer keyboard.
• Ability to read written materials and to observe programs.
• Speech and hearing capabilities to maintain communications with employees and citizens.

Head Instructor Performance Steps

Step 1

• Supervises Swim Instructors
• Coordinates lesson responsibilities and takes direction from the Aquatics Coordinators
• Assist coordinators in developing work schedules and training new employees
• Assists in the assessment, training, and evaluation of Swim Instructor performance requirements
• Favorable review and interview by the Aquatics Coordinators and Aquatics Supervisor
• Assists with documenting waitlists, enrollments, drops, and transfers during first week of lessons

Step 2

• Performs all of the duties outlined in Step 1
• Assists in hiring, training and disciplinary action of Swim Instructors
• Attends and assist with Swim Instructor Trainings
• Deals with public complaints, researches problem areas and offers suggestions for improvements
• Exhibits a high standard of public relations through speaking with patron on the various programs offered in aquatics
• Accumulates a minimum of 10 sessions as Head Instructor
• Favorable review by the Aquatics Coordinator and/or Supervisor

Step 3

• Performs all of the duties outlined in Step 1 & 2
• Accumulates a minimum of 30 sessions as Head Instructor
• Favorable review by the Aquatics Coordinator and/or Supervisor

All steps based on budget availability and current City of Fort Collins Policy Based on previous employee experience steps can be skipped with the approval of Area Manager

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee's protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City's respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City's commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.