Adaptive Swim Instructor
On-site | Part-time | Hourly
Arroyo Grande, California
About the Role
At 5 Cities Swim School, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, successful, and confident in the water.
As an Adaptive Swim Instructor, you'll use relationship-based teaching, individualized instruction, and play-based learning to support children with autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, sensory differences, anxiety, and other unique learning needs. Every lesson is an opportunity to foster confidence, communication, emotional regulation, motor development, and life-saving water safety skills.
This role is ideal for professionals with backgrounds in behavioral therapy, special education, child development, adaptive recreation, or early intervention who are looking to make a meaningful impact in children's lives.
What You'll Do
- Deliver individualized swim instruction using our child-centered curriculum while adapting teaching strategies to meet each child's developmental, communication, sensory, and learning needs.
- Build trusting, supportive relationships with children and families that foster confidence, engagement, and long-term growth.
- Support children's emotional regulation, independence, and success through positive reinforcement and strengths-based teaching.
- Create a safe, predictable, and encouraging learning environment where every child can thrive.
- Collaborate with families and teammates to celebrate progress, share observations, and support each child's developmental journey.
- Participate in ongoing training in adaptive instruction, child development, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and water safety education.
- Deliver exceptional customer service while helping families feel welcomed, understood, and supported.
We're Looking For Someone Who
- Has experience working with children with autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, sensory differences, or other support needs.
- Values neurodiversity and believes every child can learn with individualized support.
- Brings patience, empathy, flexibility, and genuine enthusiasm for working with children.
- Enjoys building meaningful relationships with children and their families.
- Is eager to learn evidence-informed strategies for adaptive instruction and child development.
- Thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
- Is at least 18 years old.
- Can commit to teaching at least two shifts per week, including weekend availability, for a minimum of one year.
- Can attend required trainings and professional development sessions.
Backgrounds We Love
We encourage applicants from a wide variety of child-serving professions, including:
- Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)
- ABA Therapists
- Behavior Interventionists
- Paraeducators
- Special Education Aides
- Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
- Early Intervention Providers
- Child Development Professionals
- Preschool Teachers
- Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech Therapy Aides
- Adaptive Recreation Professionals
- Psychology, Education, Child Development, Kinesiology, and Human Development students
Experience teaching swimming is welcome, but not required. We provide comprehensive paid training.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, and work in the water for up to four hours per shift.
- Ability to assist children in the pool and lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.
- Comfortable working in a warm, humid, and occasionally noisy aquatic environment.
Compensation
$21–25 per hour
- Flexible scheduling
- Paid training and professional development
- Opportunities for advancement
- Meaningful work that positively impacts children and families every day
Equal Opportunity Employer
5 Cities Swim School is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee and every family feels welcomed, respected, and supported. We celebrate diversity and encourage applicants of all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Pay: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
