Swim Coach (Sensory-Aware & Adaptive Aquatics)

Swim Coach (Sensory-Aware & Adaptive Aquatics) Zen Penguin Swim School Portland, OR 97220 $20

• $30 an hour
• Part-time, Full-time $20
• $30 an hour
• Part-time, Full-time Swim Coach (Sensory-Aware & Adaptive Aquatics) Zen Penguin Swim School | Portland Metro Area Come Change Lives With Us
• Help kids build confidence, safety, and joy in the water. $20
• 30/hour 20-30 hours/week Teachers, Educational Assistants, Paraeducators, and Special Education Professionals Encouraged to Apply Are you passionate about helping children grow but feeling burned out by traditional educational systems?

Do you love working with neurodivergent children , building relationships, and creating environments where kids can succeed? At Zen Penguin Swim School, we're creating something different. We believe swimming is about far more than strokes and water safety. Every lesson is an opportunity to help a child build confidence, regulation, resilience, and trust in themselves. Our coaches use play-based instruction, nervous system awareness, sensory-informed teaching, and co-regulation practices to help swimmers of all abilities thrive in the water. Many of our most successful coaches come from backgrounds in education, special education, early childhood development, behavioral support, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and youth programming. If you've spent your career helping children learn, regulate, and grow, we can teach you the swimming part. Why Zen Penguin? We're a mission-driven swim school serving children of all abilities, with a strong focus on neurodivergent swimmers and families seeking a more supportive approach to learning. Our team receives extensive training in: Co-regulation and nervous system awareness Adaptive and sensory-informed instruction Neurodiversity-affirming practices Water safety and swim instruction The Zen Penguin Backfloat to Breathe curriculum We believe that when educators are supported, children thrive. That's why we've built a workplace centered on respect, flexibility, growth, and meaningful work.

What We Offer Competitive pay:

$20

• 30/hour based on experience 20-30 hours per week Paid training and mentorship Paid holidays Flexible scheduling Leadership and advancement opportunities Neurodivergent-friendly workplace Collaborative, supportive team culture Meaningful work that changes lives What You'll Do As a Zen Penguin Swim Coach, you'll create safe, joyful, and engaging learning experiences that help children develop both swimming skills and confidence.

Responsibilities include:

Teaching play-based swim lessons for children ages 6 months through teens Supporting swimmers through sensory-aware and co-regulation practices Creating calm, structured, and emotionally safe learning environments Teaching water safety and swim skills using the Zen Penguin Backfloat to Breathe curriculum Adapting instruction to meet each swimmer's developmental, emotional, and sensory needs Building positive relationships with children, families, and teammates Tracking student progress and communicating milestones Educating families about swimmer growth, safety, and learning expectations Maintaining a clean, organized, and safe pool environment Performing light facility duties including equipment care, deck cleaning, and pool readiness Participating in ongoing professional development, workshops, and team trainings Serving as a positive ambassador for Zen Penguin Swim School Who Thrives Here? This position is an excellent fit for: Teachers Special Education Teachers Educational Assistants Paraeducators Behavior Support Specialists Occupational Therapy Assistants Recreational Therapists Child Development Specialists Preschool Teachers Childcare Providers Youth Program Leaders Camp Counselors Social Work Professionals You'll likely love this work if you are: Patient and emotionally intelligent Calm under pressure Playful and creative Curious and eager to learn Passionate about supporting neurodivergent children Able to build trust with both children and adults Looking for meaningful work in a supportive environment Required Comfortable and confident in the water Basic swimming ability Experience working with children in educational, recreational, therapeutic, or childcare settings Strong communication and interpersonal skills Ability to create calm, emotionally safe learning environments Reliability and consistent attendance Willingness to work primarily with neurodivergent children and families 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 within 30 days of hire) Preferred Teaching or educational support experience Experience with neurodivergent children or individuals with disabilities Special education, early childhood, or behavioral support experience Familiarity with trauma-informed, sensory-aware, or co-regulation practices Swim instruction experience (not required) Physical Requirements Active participation in water-based instruction for multiple hours per shift Ability to lift, carry, or support swimmers up to 50 pounds Ability to work in warm, humid pool environments Ability to safely navigate wet pool decks and aquatic environments Our Commitment At Zen Penguin, every swimmer belongs. We celebrate diversity, welcome different perspectives, and strive to create an environment where children, families, and staff can show up as their authentic selves. We're not just teaching swimming. We're helping children discover confidence, safety, connection, and joy. If you're looking for work that feels meaningful again, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay:

$20.00

• $30.

00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Health insurance On-the-job training Opportunities for advancement Paid training

Work Location:

In person