Department and Commission: Recreation, Community Services
Vacancy Type: Temporary
Posting Date: September 1, 2026
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
About the City of Markham
The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canada’s top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canada’s Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award-winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve.
Join us and make a lasting difference!
Job Summary
As a Swim Instructor for the City of Markham Recreation Services Department, you will provide direct leadership, instruction and motivation in helping our swim program participants achieve and surpass Lifesaving Society, City of Markham and other association standards.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide direct instruction and evaluation of program participants.
- Plan and organize classes through daily lesson plans and long-term core plans to ensure progressive learning.
- Maintain class safety through formations and proper scanning techniques.
- Educate all facility users on safe and enjoyable swimming practices.
- Check rescue equipment and discuss your scanning approach with the team.
- Complete pool deck set-up and clean-up.
- Apply basic life support and first aid as required.
- Perform minor maintenance and cleaning.
- Know emergency procedures.
- Have excellent customer service skills and the ability to work well with other staff.
Qualifications
In addition to being at least 15 years old, you will need the following required current qualifications and/or certifications:
- Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross OR Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard.
- Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor.
- Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid or Intermediate First Aid with CPR C and AED.
- Lifesaving Society Airway Management.
*Interviews will be held on Nov 20 and Dec 5 only.
*Please include your Lifesaving ID number on your resume. Certifications that will expire during your work term must be re-certified prior to your start date. If you are registered for an applicable course, please list it on your resume along with the registration dates.
Note: All qualifications must be current from the beginning to the last day of each session. Qualifications that are due to expire during a session must be re-certified prior to the start of the season and staff will be required to provide proof of registration for the re-certification.
Core Behaviours
- Service Excellence: Meets or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization.
- Change & Innovation: Responds positively and professionally to change and helps others through change.
- Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships.
- Communication: Communicates in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening.
- Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrates ethical behaviour and accountability, aligns with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation.
- Management & Leadership: Demonstrates self-management, professionalism and engagement; leads by example.
Core Values
At the City of Markham, our work is guided by a shared set of core values that shape how we serve our community and support one another.
- Service Excellence: the consistent delivery of high-quality efficient and customer-centric service that exceeds expectations.
- Accountability: our obligation to be responsible and accountable for our actions, decisions and performance.
- People-Focused: putting people first.
- Trust: the confidence we place in each other to act with integrity and fairness.
- Innovation: Investing in each other and the way we deliver our programs and services.
We are looking for candidates who bring these values to life through their actions, decisions, and leadership approach.
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) / Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) letter.
AI Disclosure
At the City of Markham, we value transparency and fairness in recruitment. While our system (ADP Workforce Now) includes AI-powered features, we do not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. All evaluations are conducted by people.
The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process.
Please respect our scent free area by not wearing scented products when visiting the office.
