Join the Y Aquatics Team!


Be the Spark! Join our passionate team and be the spark that ignites the potential in others.


Our culture is of paramount importance to us. We formally measure employee engagement annually to ensure our employees are having an excellent employment experience. Our current level of engagement is 80%, compared to some Canadian employer statistics of 69%.
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario was founded in 1856 and has over 200 locations from Goderich to Point Pelee, and Windsor to Woodstock. We are one of the largest not-for-profit providers of licensed child care in Canada and have over 100 school age programs across our regions. We also offer settlement services to newcomers, employment programs, mental health support, and youth programs. YMCA of Southwestern Ontario operates two overnight camps, one in Point Pelee National Park, and one on Beausoleil Island in Muskoka. We also have 15 Health & Fitness branches across Southwestern Ontario.
Why The Y?
At the Y, our people are central to delivering our mission. We are committed to the development of healthy communities and welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities.
We provide valuable training and development opportunities to help our team members grow professionally and personally.
We look for the following qualities in all of our employees and volunteers:
• Demonstrates our Core Values; Caring, Honesty, Respect & Responsibility and Inclusivity
• Fun, Enthusiastic & Friendly Individuals
• Hardworking and Dependable
• Positive Role Model
• Team Player
• Professionalism
• Enjoy working in a Social Environment
• Ability to effectively communicate with Employees & Members
Employees and volunteers of YMCA of Southwestern Ontario are ambassadors for the Y both on and off the job. We rely on them to help share our mission and increase awareness of the positive impact the Y can have on the lives of people in their communities. Particularly how we are helping to create healthy children, healthy families, and healthy communities.
All employees and volunteers are required to provide a current satisfactory Criminal Record and may require a Vulnerable Sector Search as a condition of their employment. Police Record checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirements of the position, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered gainful employment.


Position: Lifeguard & Swim Instructor

Start Date: to be determined based on current branch needs

Salary: starting at $16.55/hourly

Schedule: Hours are flexible and dependent on the branch's current needs and your availability. A commitment of at least 2 shifts per week is required.

As part of your total compensation, you will receive:
• A complimentary YMCA Everything Membership to our Health & Fitness facilities, and discounts on YMCA child care and camp programs
• Vacation entitlement in accordance with the employment standards regulations
• May be entitled to up to 12 paid personal days – applicable with position and contract length
• Benefits package - applicable with position and contract length
• Be part of a caring and supportive network of people to help each other succeed
• Complimentary access to wellness and counselling services
In this role, you will:
• Act as a YMCA ambassador, demonstrating the YMCA core values of Respect, Honesty, Inclusivity, Caring, and Responsibility in your daily work.
• Be responsible for lifeguard duties as trained during all programming within the Aquatics environment, such as recreational swims, swim lessons, aqua fitness, and swim lessons.
• Actively monitor all participants in all aquatics programming and be ready to assist participants in case of emergency.
• Be ready to enter the pool at any time to assist members/program participants.
• Be responsible for competent swim instruction of individual and group swimming lessons. You may also be required to assist with volunteer development in a co-teaching situation.
• Record lesson participants’ progress and prepare progress reports to share with guardians.
• Attend and participate in lifeguard and swim instructor training as per schedule.
• You will spend 95% of your work time in the pool or on the pool deck/waterfront in moist, humid climate conditions.
• You will need to be able to manage varying amounts of weight to assist members/program participants in the water in case of emergency and to lift/use chemicals.
• Ensure all YMCA of Southwestern Ontario policies and procedures are being followed.
• Be committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging.
Educations and Skills Qualifications:
• Required Certifications (must be current):
? Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard - Pool
? Standard First Aid and CPR-C (from Lifesaving Society or LSS-approved provider)
? Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor
? (We teach the LSS Swim for Life program at StarTech.com Y - applicants with a YMCA Swim Instructor certification must either complete a transition course to obtain LSS certification or take the full LSS Swim Instructor course)
• Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor and Emergency First Aid Instructor certifications are an asset.
• Previous lifeguard or swim instructor experience is an asset.
• Previous volunteer experience within Aquatics is an asset.
• Experience working with children, youth, and adults is an asset.
• Exceptional communication skills, relationship-building skills, and organizational skills.
• A current and acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is a condition of employment for all staff and volunteers age 18 and older.
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders including our members/participants, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and its associated standards and regulations.


Candidates, please be advised that our recruitment process incorporates AI technology for initial application screening. This assists us in efficiently assessing qualifications. Rest assured, our recruiters will additionally review resumes to ensure a fair and accurate assessment is completed.