As a part-time Water Safety Instructor, you will provide safe, high-quality swimming instruction for community members of all ages through the Durango Parks and Recreation Department. You will teach American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor lessons, maintain a safe aquatic environment, enforce facility rules, and ensure all equipment and records are properly maintained. You will support a positive learning environment and help participants build confidence and skill in the water.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence
The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.What You’ll Do in This Role:

Teach swimming lessons in accordance with American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor standards.
Organize class and maintain a safe and orderly environment for all participants.
Maintain a safe aquatic environment at all times, including inspecting the facility and equipment.
Enforce all aquatic facility policies, rules, and regulations.
Perform cleaning duties as assigned and ensure the pool area and equipment are properly maintained.
Complete required records, reports, and evaluations accurately and on time.
Participate in regular in-service training sessions and staff meetings.
Exercise regularly to maintain personal fitness level required for instructing and demonstrating swimming skills.
Demonstrate professionalism and provide excellent customer service.
Perform related duties as assigned and assist other departments as necessary.

You Have:

Current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification
Current American Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certifications.
Completion of required American Red Cross courses for Water Safety Instructor and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

You Will Succeed in This Role If You:

Can maintain a safe and structured environment for participants in the pool.
Communicate clearly and effectively with participants, parents, and coworkers.
Demonstrate strong knowledge of swimming instruction techniques and can teach age- and skill-appropriate lessons.
Maintain the physical and mental capacity required to perform and demonstrate swimming skills safely.
Are dependable, adaptable, and able to work independently or as part of a team.

What We Can Offer You: The following perks are available for part-time and seasonal employees.

Free pass to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area
Free Transit pass
Eligibility to participate in the City’s Annual Wellness Challenge and a chance to receive prizes and cash rewards

To view the full Certified Instructor-WSI-Part Time job description, click here.

Certified Water Safety Instructor

Job Description