Lifeguard, Swim Instructor and Other Jobs in Aquatics!

Start changing lives! The YMCA of San Diego County is the place to begin your career.

Whether you’re looking to help save lives as a lifeguard, teaching kids how to swim and be safe in the water as a friendly and encouraging role model, or be a motivating and instructive swim team coach, the YMCA has the aquatics job for you!

With 13 aquatic facilities operating year-round throughout San Diego County, our aquatics team is passionate about creating a safe and fun environment where the whole family can play, learn and grow!

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Get Certified as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor at the YMCA

The YMCA requires continued training and certification for Lifeguards and Swim Instructors. If you are already certified, have no certifications, or looking to complete your certifications, we have the training program for you!

We offer classes for first-time Lifeguards and Swim Instructors and re-certification classes for employees returning to the position. Through classroom activities, online learning, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work as a Lifeguard or Swim Instructor.

PAID TRAINING

The YMCA of San Diego is now offering paid training for the certification classes for the Lifeguard and Swim Instructor positions. Upon accepting an employment offer, you will be paid for your time while completing online course work, classroom training and in-person testing.

Getting your certifications through the YMCA will save you hundreds of dollars in enrollment fees and provide you with all of the necessary certifications for the job. Anyone can get certified, no matter your financial situation.

REQUIREMENTS

Participants must be able to:

  1. Be 16 years old or older.
  2. Tread water for at least 2 minutes.
  3. Swim 100 yards of front crawl.
  4. Swim 50 yards each of: front crawl with head up, sidestroke, breaststroke, breaststroke with head up, inverted breaststroke kick with hands on stomach.
  5. Perform a feet first surface dive in 8 to 10 feet of water and then swim underwater for 15 feet.
  6. Perform a series of tasks given by the instructor to demonstrate listening and scanning ability as well as stamina and endurance.

Swim instructors must also be able to swim 25 yards of each: butterfly, backstroke, sidestroke, freestyle at intermediate to advanced level.

Questions? Contact Us

If you'd like to learn more about available aquatic positions or financial aid for lifeguard training, contact us at [email protected].

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

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