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Safety Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Water Safety Instructor

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$16.50 - $19.75/hr

Water Safety Instructor Intermittent, hourly, on-call position to support the JPCC and/or Propstra pools as needed throughout the 26-27 school year. Working schedule will not exceed 19 hours a week.

Safety Manager - Bilingual

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

Safety Manager - Bilingual Primary Responsibilities and Duties * Maintain and administer the ... Fall Protection Competent Person/Trainer - Instructor Level. * Forklift Operator Trainer ...

Zumba Instructor

Camas, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

... the safety of the members is not compromised. The Group Exercise Instructor will also serve as a resource to educate members on various aspects of fitness. Major Responsibilities: Pre-class ...

Zumba Instructor

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

... the safety of the members is not compromised. The Group Exercise Instructor will also serve as a resource to educate members on various aspects of fitness. Major Responsibilities: Pre-class ...

Yoga Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

... the safety of the members is not compromised. The Group Exercise Instructor will also serve as a resource to educate members on various aspects of fitness. Major Responsibilities: Pre-class ...

Yoga Instructor

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

... the safety of the members is not compromised. The Group Exercise Instructor will also serve as a resource to educate members on various aspects of fitness. Major Responsibilities: Pre-class ...

Yoga Instructor

Camas, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

... the safety of the members is not compromised. The Group Exercise Instructor will also serve as a resource to educate members on various aspects of fitness. Major Responsibilities: Pre-class ...

Zumba Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

... the safety of the members is not compromised. The Group Exercise Instructor will also serve as a resource to educate members on various aspects of fitness. Major Responsibilities: Pre-class ...

Aquatics Director

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$42K - $55K/yr

Must be certified as Water Safety Instructor or equivalent. For more information about Villa Sport, please visit our website at www.villasport.com. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY It is the Company ...

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Safety Instructor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$12

$28

$58

How much do safety instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for safety instructor in Portland, OR is $28.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.48 and $32.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a safety instructor?

Safety Instructors are professionals who educate individuals or groups on safety protocols, procedures, and regulations in various environments such as workplaces, schools, or industrial settings. They design and deliver training sessions on topics like emergency response, equipment use, and hazard prevention. Safety Instructors ensure that trainees understand and can apply safety standards to minimize risks and prevent accidents. Their role is crucial in fostering a culture of safety and compliance within organizations.

What does a safety instructor do?

As a safety instructor, you teach people how to comply with OSHA workplace standards. As part of your responsibilities and duties, you may review potential threats in a given area, help create countermeasures to minimize potential risks, and assess the training needs of employees. You often attend meetings, must keep up with changing safety laws, evaluate employee compliance, and otherwise help make each work area as safe as possible. Many details of this job vary based on the work environment. For example, medical laboratories often have very different safety needs than construction sites, so it’s essential to adapt your techniques with each employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a safety instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Safety Instructor, you need thorough knowledge of safety regulations, risk assessment, and instructional design, often supported by certifications such as OSHA or First Aid/CPR instructor credentials. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), presentation software, and safety equipment is commonly required. Strong communication, public speaking, and the ability to engage diverse learners are vital soft skills that distinguish effective instructors. These skills and qualifications ensure safety instructors can deliver impactful training, promote compliance, and create safer work environments.

What are some common challenges safety instructors face when training diverse groups, and how can they effectively address them?

Safety Instructors often work with trainees from various backgrounds, experience levels, and learning styles, which can make it challenging to ensure everyone understands and retains critical safety information. To address this, instructors should use a mix of teaching methods—such as demonstrations, hands-on activities, and visual aids—to cater to different learning preferences. Creating an inclusive environment, encouraging questions, and checking for understanding through practical assessments help ensure all participants are engaged and competent. Regularly updating training materials to reflect current regulations and industry best practices is also essential.

What is the difference between Safety Instructor vs Lifeguard?

AspectSafety InstructorLifeguard
Required CertificationsCPR, First Aid, Safety Instructor CertificationCPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Certification
Work EnvironmentSchools, training centers, corporate safety programsPools, beaches, water parks
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, safety training providersPublic pools, beaches, aquatic facilities

Safety Instructors and Lifeguards both require CPR and First Aid certifications, but Safety Instructors focus on teaching safety protocols in various settings, while Lifeguards primarily monitor water areas to prevent and respond to emergencies. Their work environments and employer types overlap somewhat, but their roles differ in scope and focus.

How much do safety instructors make?

Safety instructors typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the industry they work in. Full-time safety instructors may have annual salaries ranging from $30,000 to $70,000. Compensation can vary based on location, specialization, and whether they work for private companies or government agencies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Safety Instructor jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Safety Instructor jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Safety Instructor jobs in Portland, OR?

For Safety Instructor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Safety Instructor jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Safety Instructor jobs in Portland, OR are:

Infographic showing various Safety Instructor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,780 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Water Safety Instructor

Vancouver, WA • On-site

$16.50 - $19.75/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Water Safety Instructor

Intermittent, hourly, on-call position to support the JPCC and/or Propstra pools as needed throughout the 26-27 school year. Working schedule will not exceed 19 hours a week.

We appreciate your interest in employment with Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). All applications are considered and reviewed. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will receive an interview.

Résumés should include education, relevant experience (including current position), and skills which highlight the qualifications of the position to which a person is applying.

All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel file periodically to ensure that their file includes current and relevant documentation that supports their education, experience, training, etc., as it relates to qualifications described on job postings.

Qualifications
  • Possession of a recognized certification or equivalent relevant experience
  • Minimum 16 years of age
Other Requirements
  • Ability to remain calm in emergency situations
  • Ability to instruct students and patrons of all ages and levels in water safety education and swimming techniques
  • Ability to communicate readily and effectively with district wide staff, students, parents and patrons in person and over the phone
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment physical skills evaluation as stipulated by the department
  • Ability to prepare routine administrative paperwork.
  • Ability to follow routine verbal and written instructions.
  • Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
  • Ability to lift and move moderately sized objects up to 50 pounds
  • Regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements
Essential Functions
  • Works in a flexible and cooperative manner
  • Treats co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times
  • Serves as a positive role model for students, and practice the behaviors that are expected of our students
  • Provides instruction in water safety for school district classes, public group and/or private swim lessons
  • Presents professional appearance and attitude at all times, and maintains a high standard of customer service.
  • Performs various maintenance duties as directed to maintain a clean and safe facility
  • Works flexible hours
  • Prepares and maintains appropriate activity reports
  • Performs other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

It is understood that the district has the right to transfer and assign employees to best fit the needs of the district.

Benefits/Compensation

Salary & Time Off: New employees start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range. However, employees with verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Educational Service Districts may receive experience credit toward salary placement. Salary schedules can be accessed here.

Benefits: Employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed eligibility information can be found here.

Retirement: Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) based on position FTE. Detailed information can be found here.

Time Off: Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave.

  • Sick Leave: 8 hours per month (part-time employee accrual will be proportionate to their FTE).
  • Personal Leave: 3 days per school year
  • Twelve (12) month full-time Pro Tech employees are eligible to accrue ten (10) days vacation at one (1) - five (5) years of service. The accrual days are incrementally improved by five (5) days at the completion of five (5), eleven (11) and twenty (20) consecutive years of service respectively.