Swim Coach — Sensory-Aware & Adaptive Aquatics Zen Penguin Swim School Clackamas, OR Job Details Full-time $20 - $30 an hour 2 hours ago Benefits Paid training Paid holidays Opportunities for advancement Qualifications CPR Certification Teamwork Lifeguard Training First Aid Certification Teaching Working with youth Full Job Description Swim Coach — Sensory-Aware & Adaptive Aquatics Zen Penguin Swim School | Portland Metro Area $20-$30/hour | 30-40 hours/week | Saturday & Sunday availability required Come Build a Career Changing Lives Zen Penguin Swim School is looking for someone who wants to build a career supporting neurodivergent children and their families through adaptive aquatics. This is a substantial, long-term position for someone seeking 30-40 hours per week with consistent Saturday and Sunday availability . We're especially interested in educators, paraeducators, childcare professionals, direct support professionals, and others who have experience helping children feel safe, connected, and successful. You don't need to be an experienced swim instructor. If you know how to build trust with children, stay grounded through big emotions, and meet a child where they are, we can teach you the swimming part. What Makes Zen Penguin Different Many of our swimmers experience autism, ADHD, sensory differences, anxiety, or developmental differences that can make traditional swim lessons difficult or inaccessible. Our coaches combine play-based instruction, relationship-building, nervous-system awareness, sensory-informed teaching, and co-regulation with intentional water-safety and swim instruction. We invest deeply in our coaches through paid training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development in adaptive aquatics and neurodiversity-affirming practices. What You'll Do Teach individualized, play-based swim lessons from infancy through the teen years Work extensively with neurodivergent children and children needing additional developmental, emotional, or sensory support Build trusting relationships with swimmers and families Adapt instruction to each child's individual needs Teach water safety and swimming skills using Zen Penguin's Backfloat to Breathe curriculum Support children through fear, dysregulation, sensory needs, and big emotions Track progress and communicate with families about goals and milestones Collaborate with coaches and leadership to provide consistent, high-quality care Participate in ongoing training and professional development Help maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming aquatic environment Who We're Looking For Our strongest candidates often come from special education, paraeducation, early childhood education, childcare, developmental disability services, direct support, behavioral support, occupational or recreational therapy, youth programming, or aquatics. We're looking for someone who is: Passionate about supporting neurodivergent children Calm, patient, playful, and emotionally attuned Curious about what a child's behavior is communicating Skilled at building relationships with children and adults Dependable and committed to consistent attendance Interested in growing professionally in adaptive child and family services Required Experience working with children Availability for 30-40 hours per week Consistent Saturday AND Sunday availability Comfortable and confident in the water Strong communication and interpersonal skills Excellent reliability and attendance Ability to pass an Oregon Child Care Division background check At least 18 years old CPR/First Aid and Lifeguard certifications, or willingness to obtain required certifications What We Offer $20-$30/hour , based on experience 30-40 hours per week Extensive paid training and ongoing mentorship Paid holidays Professional development Opportunities for advancement into training, leadership, and program development A collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming workplace Meaningful, relationship-centered work with children and families Physical Requirements Coaches spend several hours each shift actively teaching in chlorinated water in a warm, humid pool environment. This is active, physical work and requires the ability to safely assist and support swimmers weighing up to approximately 50 pounds. Join Zen Penguin At Zen Penguin, we're helping children build safety, confidence, regulation, independence, and joy in the water. If you're looking for meaningful, long-term work with children and want to develop specialized skills in adaptive aquatics, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay:

$20.00 - $30.00 per hour Expected hours: 28.0 - 38.0 per week

Work Location:

In person