Swimming Instructor (General Services Department)

Swimming Instructor (General Services Department)

Salary

$44,616.00 Annually

Location

Detroit, Michigan, MI

Job Type

Certified-Regular Civil Service

Job Number

20261459021GSDdb

Department

General Services

Division

Recreation Center Operati

Opening Date

07/15/2026

Closing Date

7/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

1650-AFSCME NonSupervisory Local 542 Motor City Se

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

RECREATION DIVISION

Swimming Instructor

Under general supervision, directs and organizes the swimming activities of a community center, or has charge of a swimming pool, and provides instruction in swimming.

Pool Locations:

• Adam Butzel Recreation Center
• Coleman A Young Community Center
• Northwest Activity Center
• Heilmann Recreation Center
• Patton Recreation Center
• Joseph Walker WIlliams Recreation Center

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Adams Butzel Recreation Center

10500 Lyndon - Detroit, 48238

Coleman A Young Community Center

2751 Robert Bradby Dr - Detroit, 48207

Northwest Activity Center

18100 Meyers Road - Detroit, 48235

Heilman Recreation Center

19601 Crusade - Detroit, 48205

Patton Recreation Center

2301 Woodmere - Detroit, 48209

Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center

8431 Rosa Parks Blvd - Detroit, 48206

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes and directs swimming classes.
• Provides lessons in all swimming strokes, water games, and diving and lifesaving techniques.
• Oversees water safety for participants and provides first aid when necessary.
• Maintains order, in and around pools.
• Arranges and encourages participation in swimming meets, diving exhibitions and other aquatic programs and competitions.
• Selects and coaches individual participants and teams in activities.
• Promotes community interest in swimming and related sports.
• Enforces Recreation Department rules and regulations for pool usage.
• Inspects pools, locker rooms and lockers for cleanliness.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

Required

• Completion of two (2) years of college coursework in physical education, community recreation, or a related field.
• One (1) year of experience teaching swimming.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in community recreation, physical education or a related field.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification must be able to complete a demonstration of swim skills including the following techniques:

• Swim 200 yard Front Crawl, and a 100 yard Breaststroke
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs
• Perform shallow water rescues, deep water rescues, escapes, back boarding skills, and a timed retrieval of a 10 pound brick.

Equivalency

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Licensing and Certifications

• Valid State of Michigan Operator License.
• Valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate, American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Certificate (LGI), and an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) (New Methods) Certificate.
• Valid Community Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate as issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association of Michigan.
• Valid Standard First Aid Certificate as issued by the American Red Cross.
• Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

Supplemental Information

Evaluation Plan

• Swim Demo: PASS / FAIL
• Interview: 70%
• Eval TEP: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points

PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR RESUME & ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION (LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS) TO YOUR APPLICATION.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED

Knowledge of:

• Various swimming strokes, lifesaving holds and diving techniques.
• Community recreation work.
• First aid resuscitation, CPR and emergency medical procedures.

Skill in:

• Oral communication.
• Physical agility.
• Competitive swimming.
• Administering first aid.

Ability to:

• Instruct beginners and more advanced pupils in the art of swimming.
• Administer in-service training to lifeguards and lead annual re-certification classes.
• Perform rescue activities.
• Direct subordinate lifeguards.
• Demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness in promoting interest in activities.
• Interact effectively with departmental personnel and the general public with tact and diplomacy.

Physical Demands:

• The work is characterized as active.

• The Swimming Instructor swims, walks, stands, and/or sits for long periods of time.

• There are occasions where it will be required to lift equipment and persons when necessary.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed predominately in a swimming pool located at one of the facilities which could include an outdoor facility.

• There may be moderate exposure to the sun and possibly rain on inclement days when working at the outdoor facilities.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

HEALTH

• Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
• Dental
• Vision

INSURANCE

• Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS

The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

City Employees Retirement System

As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:

• Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
• At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
• At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
• In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
• An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
• Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.

Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.

01

Are you a previous City of Detroit - Summer Seasonal employee, who worked for the General Services Department - Recreation Division?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate your highest level of education completed

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Completion of two (2) years of college coursework in physical education, community recreation, or a related field.
• Bachelors Degree
• Bachelor's degree in community recreation, physical education or a related field.
• Masters Degree
• PhD/J.D.
• n/a

03

How many years of teaching swimming to you possess?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 to 5 years of experience
• 6 to 9 years of experence
• 10 or more years of experience
• No work experience

04

Describe your work experience in teaching swimming.

05

I understand as a candidate being considered for placement in this classification, I must be able to complete a demonstration of swim skills including the following techniques: Swim 200 yard Front Crawl, and a 100 yard Breaststroke, Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs, Perform shallow water rescues, deep water rescues, escapes, back boarding skills, and a timed retrieval of a 10 pound brick.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess the following Certificate:

• Valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Certificate (LGI)
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) (New Methods)
• Valid Community Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate as issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association of Michigan
• Valid Standard First Aid Certificate as issued by the American Red Cross
• No Certificates

07

Do you possess a valid State of Michigan Operators License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Detroit

Address Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

2 Woodward Ave ste 316

Detroit, Michigan, 48226

Website http://www.detroitmi.gov/Detroit-Opportunities/Find-A-Job