Join Our Aquatics Team!
Are you passionate about water safety and helping others? Dive into a rewarding career at the YMCA, where you can make a real difference in our community by keeping people safe and teaching essential life-saving skills.
LIFEGUARD
The Best Part-Time Job Ever!
Ages 15+
No certification? We’ll train you! The YMCA provides the training you need to lifeguard at one of our branch pools while helping keep swimmers and your community safe.
SWIM INSTRUCTOR
Teach Skills That Last a Lifetime
Ages 16+
We’ll train and certify you! Teach swimmers ages 3 through adulthood, building confidence, swim skills, and water safety.
OUTREACH LIFEGUARD/SWIM INSTRUCTOR
Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructors
Ages 17+
Travel to community partner locations teaching essential swim and water safety skills through our Safety Around Water program.
AQUATICS LEADER
Lead the Team. Make an Impact.
Take the next step in aquatics! Lead and support YMCA aquatics teams in roles like Swim Team Coach, Head Lifeguard, Summer Pool Manager, Outreach Team Leader, and more.
🛟Become a Lifeguard
We’re hiring part-time lifeguards (age 15+) at Dallas-area and surrounding Y locations with pools, in Dallas, Rockwall, Grand Prairie, Waxahachie, and Flower Mound. No previous lifeguarding experience is required—we'll provide the training, help you earn your lifeguard certification, and equip you with the skills to succeed. With flexible scheduling, a fun and supportive team, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community, becoming a YMCA lifeguard is more than just a part-time job—it's a meaningful way to grow while helping keep others safe.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Monitoring swimmers and enforcing pool safety rules
- Preventing accidents by staying alert and recognizing potential hazards
- Responding quickly to emergencies, including performing water rescues and administering first aid when needed
- Conducting safety checks of the pool deck and equipment
- Assisting with opening and closing pool procedures
- Providing excellent customer service by greeting members and answering questions
- Supporting swim lessons, recreational swim, lap swim, water fitness classes, and special events
What You'll Need
- Be at least 15 years old
- Successfully complete a swim skills assessment
- Participate in and successfully complete the YMCA's lifeguard training program & receive necessary certifications
Ready to get started?
Complete the application form below and select the YMCA branch where you'd like to work. A member of our aquatics team will reach out to discuss.
🏊Become a Swim Instructor
Becoming a YMCA Swim Instructor is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by teaching one of life's most important skills. Through the YMCA's nationally recognized swim lesson program, instructors help children and adults build confidence in the water, develop proper swimming techniques, and learn essential water safety skills that can help prevent drowning.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Teaching swim lessons using the YMCA Swim Lessons curriculum
- Instructing proper swimming techniques and water safety skills
- Creating a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment
- Monitoring participants and ensuring safety during lessons
- Evaluating swimmer progress and providing feedback
- Maintaining attendance and participant progress records
- Assisting with lesson setup, equipment, and general pool operations
- Supporting other aquatics programs and special events as needed
What You'll Need
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Pass a swimming proficiency assessment
- Complete YMCA Swim Instructor certification (or an equivalent certification accepted by the branch)
- Obtain necessary CPR and First Aid certifications
- Demonstrate the ability to teach swimming skills and water safety to participants of varying ages and abilities
- Instruct and observe proper stroke technique while providing encouragement and constructive feedback
- Maintain accurate attendance, skill assessments, and participant progress records
- Be able to lift swim equipment and assist a small to average-sized child when needed
Ready to get started?
Complete the application form below and select the YMCA branch where you'd like to work. A member of our aquatics team will reach out to discuss.
🤝 Join Our Outreach Aquatics Team
Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
The Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructor is a dual-role position on our Outreach Aquatics team, created to bring essential water-safety education and swim instruction beyond our YMCA branches and directly into the community.
This position primarily supports the YMCA’s Safety Around Water (SAW) program, a drowning-prevention program that brings essential swimming and water-safety education directly to children in the community. Through partnerships with schools, apartment communities, and other community organizations, our Outreach Aquatics team helps expand access to lifesaving water-safety skills throughout the Dallas area.
Unlike traditional branch-based aquatics positions, Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructors travel to community-based program sites and serve as both certified lifeguards and swim instructors. You’ll help maintain a safe aquatic environment while teaching children the skills and confidence they need to be safer in and around water.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Teaching foundational swimming and water-safety skills using YMCA curriculum
- Providing instruction focused on drowning prevention, water safety, and building confidence in the water
- Lifeguarding and providing vigilant, attentive supervision during community-based aquatics programs
- Recognizing and responding appropriately to aquatic emergencies
- Creating a safe, positive, encouraging, and engaging learning environment for children
- Monitoring participant progress and program outcomes
- Working with YMCA staff, schools, apartment communities, community partners, and families to support program delivery
What You'll Need
- Be at least 17 years old
- Be available Monday–Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM
- Have reliable transportation to community program locations
- Be comfortable and confident in the water
- Be able to successfully complete the YMCA Lifeguard V7 physical competency requirements
- Be able to successfully complete the YMCA Swim Instructor V6 physical competency requirements
Not certified yet? You can still apply. No previous lifeguard or swim instructor certification is required. If you meet the position and swimming requirements, the YMCA will provide the training and certifications needed to serve in both roles at no cost to you.
Training includes YMCA Lifeguarding, YMCA Swim Instructor, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, water safety and drowning prevention, and aquatic emergency response.
Ready to make an impact in the community?
Join our Outreach Aquatics team and help bring lifesaving water-safety education to children throughout the communities we serve.
Complete the application form below and select the “Outreach Aquatics: Drowning Prevention Lifeguard/Swim Instructor” position. A member of our team will reach out to discuss next steps.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Why Work in Aquatics at the YMCA?
Working in our Aquatics department means more than just a job—it’s about creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment for people of all ages. Whether you're looking to be a lifeguard, swim instructor, or aquatic manager, we offer flexible hours, great benefits, and the opportunity to grow within the Y.