Instructor Assistant Jobs in Graham, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.85 - $27.27 Hourly
Location : Various Parks Tacoma locations, WA
Job Type: Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 05/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description
Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $23.85.
The current full hourly range for this position is $23.85 - $27.27.
Be a part of our amazing aquatics family! Join the team at one or more of our swimming pools. We have year-round opportunities at our 3 indoor pools located at Eastside, Peoples and Norpoint Community Centers.
This position serves as a lead Water Fitness Instructor and Instructor Trainer within the aquatics program. In addition to independently leading classes, the Instructor III is responsible for training, mentoring, and supporting Instructor I staff as they develop their teaching skills. This role requires current Water Fitness Instructor certification (and/or advanced certification), as well as CPR/AED and First Aid certification. Responsibilities include training new instructors, modeling best practices, providing feedback and coaching, and helping ensure consistency across all water fitness offerings. This is an on-site leadership role that combines advanced instruction with staff development and program support under the direction of an Aquatics Coordinator.
**Applications are reviewed as they are received. This position will remain open until filled.**
Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
Why You'll Love it HereCome work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you'll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. On top of that, you'll wake each day knowing that you're helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
Position Information
Provide fun, informative and exciting classes or learning opportunities in assigned program area.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Essential Duties

• Provide support to, and collaborate with, other department staff to assist with planning, preparing, and implementing programs.
• Plan and prepare instruction materials or lesson plans or implement already established lesson plans.
• Instruct, and/or teach participants using excellent citizenship, sportsmanship, and inclusivity.
• Assess and evaluate student progress and provide feedback.
• Provide each participant the opportunity to succeed and grow their skills through program opportunities.
• Maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment.
• Track attendance reports as required.
• Provide a positive attitude toward program participants and staff; encourage and serve as a positive role model.
• Maintain communication with staff, participants, and/or parents/guardians as needed.
• Stay up to date on trends within assigned program area.
• Plan, prepare and instruct and/or teach programs that require additional experience, certifications and/or education.
• Develop, implement, and deliver educational programs for all age groups
• Depending on position, may assist in coordination of other seasonal staff and volunteer schedules.
• Depending on position, may provide direction to other supplemental staff.
• Depending on position, may drive park district vehicles and/or equipment.
• Assist in defining and recommending program goals and objectives.
• May work in more than one assignment area in the department.
• Administer first aid as needed.
• Responsible for the designated site location program set-up and general clean-up.
• Ensure program/facility rules, policies and procedures are followed; maintain and enforce safety standards and expectations.
• Ensure proper use, care and storage of program equipment and supplies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age.
• At least 4 years of experience teaching or instructing.
• Experience mentoring, training or leading staff.
• Certified instructor from any of the following: AEA, SCW Fitness, or FiTour.
• Valid First Aid and CPR/AED certification required.

Additional Information
HOURS/SCHEDULE:

• Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 10:00AM; 6:00PM - 7:00PM
• Saturday 9:00AM - 10:00AM
• Up to 12 hours per week

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of assigned recreation programs, activities, and services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of safety guidelines and practices.
• Skill in overseeing and instructing/teaching others.
• Ability to handle conflict and solve problems using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations.
• Work with diverse groups of people in a tactful, effective, and respectful manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the community and program participants.
• Follow instructions, both written and verbal.
• Ability to safely perform job tasks in a variety of park and non-park settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
• Driving a district vehicle, and transporting patrons, is required for some positions.
• Work various schedules including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Ability to Frequent communication with district employees and customers.
• Noise level is moderately loud.
• Standing for long periods of time.
• Walking, kneeling and/or crouching to demonstrating proper form.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds on occasion.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations, including performing CPR.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at .
Employment is subject to a national background check.
This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.
Enrollment in the the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS) may be mandatory.
Sick Leave: 1 hour earned for every 40 hours worked.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) -SupportLinc provides emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources to keep you at your best. Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, the program offers guidance to help you address and resolve everyday issues at no cost to you or your family.
Community Center Fitness Pass - All Parks Tacoma employees get a Staff Pass to use at our community centers.The All Center Pass allows access to all four centers - Center at Norpoint, Eastside Community Center, People's Center and STAR Center.
Note: THIS BENEFIT OVERVIEW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED AND/OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
01
Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have at least 4 years of experience teaching or instructing?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you currently certified as a Water Fitness Instructor?

• Yes
• No

04
What Water Fitness Instructor certification(s) do you hold?
05
Do you hold any instructor trainer or advanced fitness certifications? If so, please list them.
06
Are you currently certified in CPR/AED and First Aid?

• Yes
• No

07
How many years of experience do you have teaching water fitness or group exercise classes?
08
Describe your experience training, mentoring, or evaluating other instructors.
09
Describe your experience designing class formats or contributing to program development.
10
What days and times are you available to teach and/or support trainings?
11
Which pool would you prefer to work at? (Select all that apply)

• Eastside Community Center
• Peoples Community Center
• Center at Norpoint

Required Question