Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Free uniforms
Health insurance
Training & development
Vision insurance

Job Title: Special Needs Swim Instructor

Reports to: General Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Make a Difference — One Swimmer at a Time.

Are you passionate about working with children of all abilities? Do you want a rewarding career where you can help children build confidence, independence, and life-saving water safety skills in a supportive environment?

Goldfish Swim School is seeking patient, energetic, and compassionate individuals to join our Golden Learners Program, designed specifically for children with special needs including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, and other developmental or physical differences.

If you love helping children succeed and thrive, we’d love to have you on our team.

What We Offer

Paid specialized training in adaptive swim instruction
Weekly pay
Consistent set schedules
Part-time and full-time opportunities
Career growth opportunities
Inclusive, mission-driven work environment
Positive and supportive team culture
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day

Position Overview

Special Needs Swim Instructors teach children ages 4 months to 12 years old in a warm, 90-degree indoor pool environment. Instructors provide individualized swim instruction tailored to each child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and sensory needs.

This role requires previous experience working with children with special needs. Goldfish Swim School provides swim-specific training, curriculum instruction, and ongoing support.

Key Responsibilities

Provide swim instruction using the Goldfish Swim School curriculum while adapting lessons to meet individual needs
Work one-on-one or in small groups with children with special needs
Use patience, empathy, and structure to support sensory, behavioral, and physical differences
Maintain a safe, calm, and encouraging learning environment
Ensure student safety at all times
Track and document student progress
Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding goals and progress
Use flexibility and problem-solving skills to address challenges during lessons
Inspect pool areas before and after lessons and report concerns
Maintain and properly store pool equipment
Perform light cleaning duties as needed
Attend required trainings and in-service meetings
Perform additional duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Previous experience working with children with special needs required (professional or structured volunteer experience accepted)
Experience may include working with children with autism, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, or similar developmental or physical differences
Ability to remain calm, patient, and attentive in dynamic environments
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to follow safety procedures and lesson plans
Reliable transportation and consistent availability

Preferred Experience

Swim instruction, aquatic therapy, or adaptive sports experience
Background in special education, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, childcare, or behavioral support
CPR, First Aid, or Lifeguard certification preferred
Goldfish Swim School can provide certification training for qualified candidates

Core Skills & Attributes

Compassion and empathy
High emotional intelligence
Flexibility and adaptability
Strong observational skills
Team-oriented mindset
High energy with strong attention to detail

Ready to Join Our Team?

We are hiring immediately, and the hiring process can take less than one week!

Join a team where you can truly make a lasting impact in children’s lives while building meaningful relationships with families and coworkers every day.

Keywords: Kids, Children, Child Care, Education, Instruction, Instructor, Teacher, Daycare, Fun Job, Part Time, Growth, Swim, School, Work with Kids, Customer Service, Receptionist, Flexible, Engaging Job, After School Job, Camp, Counselor, Coach, Tutor, Nanny, Babysitter, Water Safety, Lifeguard, Pool Job, Leadership, Rescue, Safety, Fun

Each Goldfish Swim School is an independently owned and operated franchise. The respective Franchisee is the employer at each Goldfish Swim School location. Each franchisee can set their own wages, benefit programs and terms and conditions of employment, which may vary at each Goldfish Swim School location.'

Compensation: $14.00 - $17.00 per hour

Tropical Vibes & Impacting Lives!

You feel it the moment you walk in. There’s more than vibrant colors, a tropical theme and happy children. There’s something different, something extraordinary. Something truly GOLDEN. It’s passion. Not just a passion for kids or a passion for swimming…it’s a special passion for changing – even saving – lives, by being a part of kids learning to swim.

When you work at Goldfish, you're not just an employee. You're a part of something bigger. You're making an impact; a splash in the lives of the children in your community. You're an integral part of a team, working together to move forward a mission. You’re also making waves in your future, learning life lessons in and out of the pool through mentorship, leadership and passion. At Goldfish, it’s more than a job - it’s an endless pool of possibilities, opportunities and life-changing moments!

Making Waves with Passion, Purpose & Core Values!

At Goldfish, our core values are at the heart of everything we do, and behind every decision that we make. To us, these values are more than just words - they're embraced with purpose in our everyday lives, and what allows us to make a splash in our community, and in the lives of our members and our team!

We go above and beyond with every detail to create a GOLDEN Experience!

We believe in nurturing a culture that provides WOW! Customer Service

We do the right things, make the right decisions and treat people with Integrity • Compassion • Trust

We meet and exceed expectations so you see Extraordinary Results

We make a big deal about life’s accomplishments by remembering to Celebrate!

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Do you have prior experience working directly with children with special needs (such as autism, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, or other developmental differences)? If yes, please briefly describe your experience (setting, age group, and length of time).*

Which of the following best describes your experience level working with children with special needs?*

Working with children in an aquatic environment can involve sensory sensitivities, behavioral escalations, or communication challenges. Please describe how you would respond if a child with autism became overwhelmed and refused to enter the pool during their lesson.*

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Why Dive In With Goldfish?

Paid Training

We set you up for Extraordinary Results! It doesn’t matter if you’ve never learned to swim yourself or if you’re a seasoned swimmer, we are proud to provide our team with paid training, certifications and ongoing support.

Flexible Schedules

Work life balance is essential to any team! At Goldfish, we understand you have commitments outside of work - family, school, sports, whatever it may be - and we celebrate that! We offer convenient schedules to accommodate YOU!

All Are Welcome

At Goldfish, we value Diversity & Inclusion! We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment for all by treating everyone with Integrity, Compassion and Trust as we work together to make waves for water safety.

Make Waves...In Your Community

Our team members are literal life-savers. Superheroes. Wavemakers. At Goldfish, you’re helping keep the children of your community safer in and around water - and that’s something to CELEBRATE!

Make Waves...In Your Career

Dip your toe into a pool of possibilities at Goldfish! You’ll learn life lessons through leadership, mentorship and ongoing training. From customer service to education, healthcare to business, you’ll gain impactful work experience that is sure to make a splash in your future, no matter what your career path!

High Fives & Tropical Vibes!

We believe in making a big deal about life’s accomplishments by remembering to CELEBRATE! We give high fives, dance and have some serious fun while doing some serious work. And with tiki huts, palm trees and surfboards, every work day will make you feel like you’re on vacay!

Going for Gold!

We align with partners who not only share our passion for water safety, but also share our core values. Helping us make a splash are World Record Holders and Olympic Gold Medalists Ryan Murphy and Cullen Jones! We are also committed to making waves, giving back and saving lives through our partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation.

Grow with Goldfish

There’s no limit to where you can go with Goldfish! We’ve seen part time team members #GrowUpGoldfish - becoming managers, joining the Franchise Support Team, and even going on to own and operate their own Goldfish Swim School! Dip a toe or dive all the way into the pool of possibilities and endless opportunities!