Come Change Lives With Us!

What's In It For You?

- Thriving wages: $20–$30/hour based on experience

- Flexible part-time schedule: 20–30 hours/week (weekends required)

- Paid training and mentorship: Learn our unique approach to swimming

- Meaningful work: Help children build confidence, safety, and lifelong skills

- Supportive team culture: Work with compassionate colleagues who care

- Professional growth: Leadership, coaching development, and advancement

- Neurodivergent-friendly workplace: centered on acceptance and belonging

- Work that feels good: knowing you made a real difference in a child's life

What You'll Bring...

- A genuine passion for supporting neurodivergent children and their families. You understand that every child learns differently and are excited to meet swimmers where they are.

- An appreciation for neurodiversity and child development. Knowledge of autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, emotional regulation, or related experiences is highly valued.

- Comfort and confidence in the water. Previous swim instruction or competitive swimming experience is helpful but not required; we provide comprehensive training.

- A natural ability to build trust, connection, and emotional safety. You enjoy forming meaningful relationships with children, families, and teammates.

- A calm, flexible, and growth-oriented mindset. You can stay present through challenges, adapt to changing needs, and approach learning with curiosity.

What You'll Do In the Pool...

- Help children build confidence, safety, and joy in the water through playful, engaging swim lessons for ages 6 months through teens

- Create calm, connected learning experiences by using sensory-aware and co-regulation practices that help swimmers feel safe, successful, and ready to learn

- Teach life-saving water safety and swim skills using Zen Penguin's unique Backfloat to Breathe curriculum

- Meet each swimmer where they are, adapting lessons to support their individual developmental, emotional, and sensory needs

- Build meaningful relationships with swimmers, families, and teammates rooted in trust, communication, and connection

- Celebrate progress and growth, tracking milestones and helping families understand their swimmer's journey

- Help create a welcoming environment by keeping our pools, equipment, and teaching spaces clean, organized, and ready for learning

- Continue growing as a coach through training, mentorship, workshops, and professional development opportunities

- Represent the heart of Zen Penguin, bringing patience, playfulness, curiosity, and care to every interaction

Certifications & Requirements

- Must be at least 18 years old

- Ability to pass an Oregon Child Care Division background check

- Lifeguard, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications required by the completion of training

What the Environment Is Like...

This is an active, hands-on role in a warm indoor pool environment. Coaches spend multiple hours each shift in chlorinated water, teaching, demonstrating skills, and supporting swimmers in the pool.

You should be comfortable:

- Spending several hours per day in a heated, chlorinated pool

- Working in a warm, humid aquatic environment

- Being exposed to moderate to high noise levels, including occasional loud or unexpected sounds

- Moving safely on wet pool decks and actively participating in water-based instruction

- Engaging physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout your shift

Typical Hours:

Most coaching shifts occur during the following times:

- Monday–Thursday: 3:00 PM–8:00 PM

- Saturday: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM

- Sunday: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Weekend availability is required.