Lifeguard Instructor/Water Safety Instructor Trainer (Part-Time, On-Call/Temporary)

WHERE PASSION MEETS PURPOSE—AND DREAMS BECOME REALITY

At Mountain Recreation, we believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life—and that includes our employees. Join a team that dares to dream big and envisions a stronger, more connected community every single day.

No matter what your role, you’ll be part of a dynamic team redefining what recreation, community, and service can look like. We’re elevating experiences, building partnerships, and making meaningful change—and we’re just getting started.

Come grow with us as we continue to dream boldly and build a healthier, happier tomorrow.

Mountain Recreation is seeking a passionate and experienced Lifeguard Instructor/Water Safety Instructor Trainer to support the safety, training, and development of our aquatics programs. This role is responsible for teaching swim lessons, lifeguard certification courses, and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) courses, including training and certifying future swim instructors. The position helps maintain high safety and instructional standards across aquatics programming while mentoring staff, supporting ongoing training, and ensuring compliance with American Red Cross and facility policies. The Lifeguard Instructor/WSI Trainer plays an important role in developing confident swimmers, skilled instructors, and qualified lifeguards while creating a positive, inclusive, and safety-focused environment for participants and staff of all ages.

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POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Lifeguard Instructor/Water Safety Instructor Trainer

Location: Gypsum Recreation Center (Gypsum, CO), Eagle Pool & Ice Rink (Eagle, CO)

Employment Type: Part-Time, On-Call/Temporary

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Overtime Eligible)

Schedule: Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and multi-day trips. Flexibility is required to successfully fulfill job responsibilities. 

Supervision Required: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Aquatics Supervisor 

Supervision Exercised: May provide direct supervision, training, and leadership to part-time and seasonal aquatics staff, swim instructors, lifeguards, instructor candidates, volunteers, and program participants.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: This position is performed in both indoor and outdoor aquatics environments, with schedules that may vary based on operational and program needs. Work may include exposure to water, humidity, noise, pool chemicals, and varying or potentially extreme weather conditions.

The role requires sustained mental and visual attention, including the ability to actively observe participants and recognize safety concerns in and around the water. Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, swimming, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying equipment and supplies up to 50 pounds. The position may also require demonstrating swim techniques, assisting participants in the water, and responding quickly and effectively in emergency situations.

This position operates in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive environment and requires the ability to maintain focus, communicate clearly, and interact professionally with participants, staff, and guests of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Salary: $35.00/hour; staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual and can pass the language competency test.

Benefits: 

• Retirement Savings: 3.75% employer contribution to a 401(a)-retirement account.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access to mental health resources, life coaching, financial and legal consultation, and more through AllOne Health. 
• Paid Time Off: Accrued sick leave in accordance with HFWA.
• Facility Access & Memberships: Complimentary access to all three Mountain Recreation facilities and a free membership to the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Program Discounts: 20% off facility programs for employees and immediate family members.
• Family Discounts: Discounted punch cards for immediate family members at the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Outdoor Gear Perks: Access to pro deals on top outdoor industry brands.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Student scholarship programs available.
• Healthcare Options: Opportunity to enroll in Vail Valley Partnership’s One Valley Healthcare Plan—an affordable healthcare program for employees and their families.

Mountain Recreation believes that everyone, including our staff, deserves to be healthy and happy. We foster a culture of accountability and flexibility while offering world-class benefits.

For more details on employee benefits, visit: https://mountainrec.org/benefits-overview/

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

General Statement of Duties: Provide high-quality aquatics instruction and staff training through Mountain Recreation aquatics programs. Responsibilities include teaching swim lessons, lifeguard certification courses, and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) courses, including training and certifying future swim instructors and lifeguards. This position promotes water safety, skill development, and emergency preparedness while supporting a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment for participants and staff of all ages and abilities.

Essential Functions: 

• Teach and evaluate American Red Cross swim lessons, lifeguarding courses, and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification courses.
• Train, mentor, and certify future swim instructors and lifeguards in accordance with American Red Cross standards.
• Ensure participant safety through active supervision, emergency response, and enforcement of aquatics safety procedures.
• Demonstrate and instruct proper swimming techniques, rescue skills, water safety practices, and emergency procedures.
• Maintain accurate course records, certifications, attendance logs, and incident documentation.
• Provide professional communication and exceptional customer service to participants, families, staff, and guests.
• Support a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment for participants and staff of all ages and abilities.
• Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, certifications, and professional development activities.
• Comply with all Mountain Recreation policies, American Red Cross standards, mandatory reporting requirements, and aquatics safety protocols.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with scheduling, organizing, and coordinating aquatics courses, trainings, and staff certifications.
• Provide ongoing coaching, support, and mentorship to aquatics staff and instructor candidates.
• Prepare lesson plans, course materials, and instructional equipment for classes and certification programs.
• Inspect, organize, clean, and maintain aquatics equipment, training materials, and instructional spaces.
• Assist with program setup, breakdown, and operational support for aquatics activities and events.
• Stay current on American Red Cross curriculum updates, aquatics best practices, and required certifications.
• Serve as a positive role model and leader for participants and staff.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

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COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Considerable knowledge of: 

• American Red Cross lifeguarding, swim lesson, and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) program standards and curriculum.
• Water safety principles, emergency response procedures, rescue techniques, and accident prevention practices.
• Instructional methods and teaching techniques for participants of varying ages, abilities, and learning styles.
• Aquatics facility operations, safety practices, and risk management procedures to ensure participant and staff safety.
• Proper use, maintenance, and storage of aquatics and training equipment and supplies.
• Customer service practices and the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with participants, families, staff, and the public.
• State, local, and organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards related to aquatics programming.

Skills and abilities: 

• Passion for water safety education, skill development, and creating positive experiences for participants of all ages and abilities.
• Strong instructional, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to teach, evaluate, and mentor swim instructors, lifeguards, and aquatics staff in a professional and supportive manner.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage participants, families, staff, and guests.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and make sound decisions in emergency and high-pressure situations.
• Strong attention to safety, risk management, and compliance with aquatics standards and procedures.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, maintaining professionalism in all interactions.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while fostering positive and inclusive relationships.
• Adaptability, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced aquatics environment.
• Physical ability to demonstrate swim techniques, perform water rescues, move equipment, and actively supervise participants for extended periods of time.
• Commitment to building respectful, cooperative, and inclusive relationships with participants, families, staff, and community members.

Requirements:

Education and experience:

• Be 18 years of age or older; AND
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One (1) to two (2) years of experience in aquatics instruction, lifeguarding, swim lesson instruction, or aquatics training; OR
• Previous experience teaching swim lessons, lifeguarding courses, or instructor-level aquatics certifications; OR
• Any satisfactory combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or training staff or instructor candidates preferred.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, sound judgment, and composure in emergency situations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills and cultural literacy preferred.

Certifications:

• Current American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification required.
• Current American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid certification required.
• Current American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certification required.
• Current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification required.
• Current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer (WSIT) certification required or ability to obtain within a designated timeframe.
• American Red Cross Water Lifeguard Instructor Trainer (LGIT) certification preferred 
• Additional aquatics, instructor trainer, or safety certifications preferred.

FORWARD TOGETHER

You are welcome at Mountain Rec for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what keeps you active. Recreation is for everyone—and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our organization, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It is in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way we PLAY.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mountain Recreation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Mountain Recreation is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Residents: We are committed to fair hiring practices. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. This position will require the applicant to verify the meeting of a minimum age requirement of 18 years old as such requirement is a bona fide occupational qualification pertaining to public safety and required by law.