Assistant Swim Coach

The Danvers YMCA Dolfins and the Assistant Swim Coach:

The Danvers YMCA Dolfins, a privately owned, YMCA-affiliated youth swim team based from the Danvers Community YMCA, is seeking a part-time Assistant Swim Coach (ASC) to partner with the head coach in creating a program that develops swimmers who excel in and out of the water. 

The Dolfins are an up-and-coming program that is growing in both size and stature in New England Swimming. The Dolfins are owned by Timm Heffron, who is also the founder and owner of Swimm with Timm, the premier swim lesson program operating on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Swimm with Timm has been teaching children to swim out of pools in Peabody, Methuen, and Salisbury since 2017. Many graduates of the Swimm with Timm lesson program become members of the Dolfins, meaning the health of the swim team program is intact. 

The head coach of the Dolfins is Tom Phillips. Tom joined the Dolfins in September 2025, drawn by the opportunity to grow the team and develop children in the sport that he has devoted decades to. Tom was previously the head age-group coach for the Commonwealth North branch of Commonwealth Swimming and is currently an assistant coach for the Merrimack College Women’s Swimming and Diving team. 

During the 2025-2026 SCY season, the Dolfins experienced an 8-fold increase in the number of swimmers who qualified for New England Silvers, qualified 1 swimmer for New England 10&Under Age Group Championships, and tripled the number of swimmers who qualified for YMCA Districts, YMCA New Englands, and New England Bronze. Over 80% of swimmers completed the IMR Challenge, also a massive increase from the previous year. 

Swimm with Timm, the parent organization of the Danvers Y Dolfins is a rarity in the club swimming world, offering coaches benefits such as Paid Sick Time,  comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance, and a 401K program. Opportunities for professional development abound and are limited only by the coach's motivation. 

The Role and Functions:

The Assistant Swim Coach (ASC) is a part-time opportunity (20-25 hours per week w/ FT potential) that will allow the selected candidate to lead one or more training groups within the Danvers Y Dolfins swim program. The ASC, in consultation with the Head Coach, will develop and implement season and session goals and plans. The swim team operates from September to July, and practices are typically in the late afternoon and evening, with some early morning and weekend responsibilities. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform

the essential functions.

• The ASC will direct daily practices and coach at approximately 15-25 swim meets each year. 

• The ASC maintains constant supervision of swimmers to ensure safety. 

• The ASC encourages positive, nurturing relationships with swimmers, parents, and caregivers. 

• They promote and support the skill potential of all swimmers in the program. 

• The ASC adheres to organizational policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary matters, child abuse prevention, and emergency incidents.

Attributes and Qualifications:

The Assistant Swim Coach must possess the following attributes and qualifications. 

• High School Diploma and 2+ years of swim team coaching experience

• Must have or be able to obtain CPR, AED, First Aid, and Lifeguarding Certificates

• Must have or be able to obtain USA Swimming Coach and YMCA Principles of

• Competitive Swimming and Diving certifications

• Reliable transportation to travel between locations is a must

• Ability to recognize students who may need assistance

• Ability to recognize and remedy hazardous and dangerous situations

• Ability to work independently and possess energy and enthusiasm

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

• 2-4 years of experience on a competitive swim team

• 2-4 years of experience as a swim team coach or instructor

Work Environment:

The Assistant Swim Coach must remain indoors at a facility pool with water and air

temperatures of 75 degrees or higher at all times. While performing the duties of this job, the

employee may be exposed to chemicals and fumes.

Physical Demands:

Walks, runs, sits, stands, bends, lifts, swims, and moves continually during working hours; is

subject to lifting over 10 pounds. Must remain alert and able to recognize distress signals.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a part-time position, and hours will vary; evenings and weekends are required. This position is benefits-eligible. 

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of

activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties,

responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.