Pool Aide (Erie)

Overview:
As a Pool Aide with the Aquatics Department of the Barber National Institute, you will provide direct, hands-on support to Elizabeth Lee Black School students during scheduled pool activities. You’ll help students safely access and participate in aquatic recreation, active play, and adapted activities while supporting their individual needs, abilities, and comfort.

In this role, you’ll work under the direction of the Director of Aquatics and in coordination with school staff and certified lifeguards. You’ll help create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive pool environment that promotes participation, independence, confidence, and positive experiences in the water. This is a non-lifeguard support role and does not involve independent aquatic instruction, therapy, or lifeguard rescue duties.

What You’ll Bring:
• Ability to swim and safely provide hands-on assistance to students in the water
• Understanding of basic water safety and pool rules
• Ability to support individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and mobility, communication, or sensory needs
• Patience, empathy, and a calm approach when supporting students who may be anxious or overwhelmed
• Ability to follow individualized support plans, safety procedures, and staff direction
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to recognize changes in participation, fatigue, discomfort, distress, or behavior and promptly seek assistance

What You’ll Have:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism preferred
• Experience in adapted recreation, school-based support, direct support, or aquatic programs preferred
• Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications required and must be maintained
• Related experience or credentials in adaptive recreation, direct support, nursing assistance, de-escalation, or water safety are a plus
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks, child abuse clearances, fingerprinting, and other agency-mandated clearances

A Typical Day May Include:
• Providing individualized in-water assistance to assigned students
• Supporting safe entry into and exit from the pool and movement between activity areas
• Helping students participate in aquatic recreation and active play based on their abilities, interests, communication styles, and sensory needs
• Using positive support strategies, clear cues, and respectful communication to reinforce pool safety and behavioral expectations
• Closely observing assigned students and communicating changes in participation, fatigue, distress, or behavior to appropriate staff
• Using approved adaptive equipment and assistance techniques within your assigned responsibilities
• Alerting certified lifeguards and following established emergency procedures when needed
• Preparing, cleaning, and storing recreation materials and adaptive equipment
• Maintaining accurate participation, support, and incident records
• Communicating student needs and observations with Aquatics and school staff to support consistent care and safe transitions
• Helping maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming pool environment

Perks with a Purpose 
Our benefits are created with YOU in mind. 

Healthcare 

• Teladoc Virtual Health 
Financial Well-being 
• On-Demand Pay 
• Employee Referral Bonus program 
• Student Loan Forgiveness 
• College Scholarship & Tuition Discounts 
• Employee Discounts 
Life & Family Support 
• Erie Campus*- discounted on-site weekday childcare 
• Employee discounts for select events and services 

• Generous Paid Time Off 

Who is Barber National Institute?

The Barber National Institute is a non-profit committed to its mission of providing the highest quality services for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities or behavioral health challenges and their families. Since our founding in 1952, we have evolved into a multi-faceted organization serving more than 6,200 individuals annually with a wide range of educational, vocational, residential and behavioral health programs.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation to apply, please contact HR. EOE

Any consideration of the background check will be an individualized assessment based on the applicant or employee’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job.