Responsive recruiter

Benefits:

401(k)
Company parties
Free food & snacks
Opportunity for advancement
Training & development

SWIM INSTRUCTOR
Big Kahuna Swim Academy | Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE Your Resume, a Cover Letter, & Any Relevant Certifications

About the Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5. We are doing something about it.

The Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation is a California-based nonprofit dedicated to eradicating childhood drowning through high-quality, 1:1 private swim instruction, community outreach, and water safety education. Big Kahuna Swim Academy is our swim school — and the heartbeat of everything we do. Since 2015, we have taught over 25,000 swim lessons across our Norco and Riverside locations, serving 800+ lessons per month during our busy season. Approximately 30% of our student base are special needs students, with a strong emphasis on autistic learners — a population we are deeply proud to serve.

We are small, scrappy, and mission-driven. We are not a corporate swim chain. We are a grassroots nonprofit building something that matters — and we are looking for people who want to help us build it.

This Is Not Just a Job

We are not hiring to fill a shift. We are hiring for the long haul — people who want to grow with this organization, contribute to its mission, and help us expand from a boutique local nonprofit into one that reaches thousands of children across the state and eventually the nation.

If you are looking for something to tide you over until something better comes along, this is not the right fit. If you are looking for a place where your work saves lives, your effort is noticed, and your growth is intentional — keep reading.

What We Value

We hire for character and work ethic first. Skill can be taught. The following cannot:

Reliability — You show up, you follow through, and you communicate when something changes. Early is on time. On time is late.
Coachability — You receive feedback without defensiveness and implement it immediately. You see correction as investment, not criticism.
Emotional Maturity — You bring calm, positive energy. You assume good intent. You address concerns directly rather than letting them fester or spread.
Initiative — You notice what needs to be done and do it without being asked. You bring solutions, not just problems.
Mission Alignment — You genuinely care about why we exist. The children and families we serve are not just clients — they are the reason we come to work every day.

A Note on Seasonality

This position is seasonal in nature. Our busiest months are May through September, and our slowest months are October through April. During the off-season, hours may be reduced organization-wide. Team members who build strong relationships with their families and students and bring in more clients tend to maintain more consistent hours year-round — our high performers. With that in mind, we ask that you be in a financial position to sustain a potential reduction in hours during our slower months and have a plan in place for that season.

What You Can Expect From Us

A mission that matters and work that is never meaningless
A team that holds each other to a high standard — and supports each other in meeting it
Clear expectations, honest feedback, and a culture of growth
The opportunity to be part of building something from the ground up
A leader who is invested in your development and committed to this mission for the long haul

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Deliver private 1:1 swim lessons using the BKSA Learn-to-Swim curriculum (as well as our Stroke Technique curriculum)
Track and document student progress accurately after every lesson
Maintain active water supervision — eyes on the water, always
Build genuine relationships with students and families
Participate in team meetings, trainings, and embrace ongoing coaching and feedback
Show up consistently, early, and prepared

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We hire for character first. Skill can be taught. The right candidate:

Is reliable — early is on time; they prepare before being asked and follow through without reminders
Is coachable — they implement feedback immediately, without defensiveness or excuses
Has emotional maturity — they assume good intent, don't gossip, and address concerns directly
Shows initiative — they notice what needs doing and step in without being asked

Experience working with special needs populations (autism, sensory processing, developmental delays) is a major plus. If this part of our mission excites you, we especially want to hear from you.

REQUIREMENTS

CPR/First Aid certified (or willing to obtain before start date)
Comfortable in the water; confident swimmer
Available for a consistent weekly schedule
Weekend availability preferred
Committed to CDPF's mission — not just looking for any job

COMPENSATION & DETAILS

Starting at $19/hour, commensurate with experience
Both locations: Norco (5th St and Hamner) and Riverside (19531 Mission Village Dr)
Year-round position

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER

"I started this with one goal: to prevent childhood drowning. I've spent over a decade building something I believe in deeply — and I'm looking for people who want to be part of building it with us. Not for a year. Not for a few seasons. For the long run. If that resonates with you, let's talk."

— Tenaya Goldsmith, Founder & CEO

Compensation: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour

The Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation, member of the United States Swim School Association, provides life-saving swim instruction in their communities that builds confidence and develops safety skills in a student-centered environment.

You have the opportunity to develop a rewarding career while helping people learn a lifelong and life saving skill.

If you are someone who loves kids and making a difference, look no further! Start your career in the learn to swim industry today by joining the staff at the Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation.

Member schools are independently owned and operated. Your application will go directly to the member school, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this school. All inquiries about employment at these schools should be made directly to the school location, and not to US Swim School Association.

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If extended a job offer, are you willing to submit to a detailed background check and drug screen?*

Can you provide the necessary documentation to prove that you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a foreign national with authorization to work in the United States?*

Are you at least 18 years old and a high school graduate?*

Do you have a current BLS Certification (CPR/FIrst Aid/AED)? And if not, are you willing to get certified before you get hired?*

Do you have reliable transportation?*

Have you ever been fired or forced to resign from a position?*

Have you ever applied to the Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation or Big Kahuna Swim Academy in the last 3 years?*

Do you agree to respond to any communications from us via email, text or phone call within 24 hours moving forward in the hiring process?*

Are you able to commit to a consistent weekly schedule, including weekends (if required)?*

We invest deeply in our team members and are looking for people who see this as a career, not just a job. Which best describes what you're looking for?*

Approximately 30% of our students have special needs, including autism. How would you describe your experience and readiness working with special needs children and their families?*

Approximately how many shifts or days did you call off — for any reason — in your last position over the past 12 months?*

Approximately how many hours per week did you work in your last position?*