By Lauri Armstrong, Founder & Owner — Little Fins Swim School
Let me be real with you for a second.
We’re not looking for people who just want a job. We’re looking for people who want to be part of something. Something bigger than a paycheck, bigger than a shift schedule, bigger than “just teaching kids to swim.”
At Little Fins, every single lesson we teach is a potential life saved. That’s not a marketing slogan, it’s the reason we show up every day.
In 2025 alone, our team delivered over 35,000 one-on-one swim lessons to Colorado Springs families. Drowning is still a leading cause of accidental death in young children. And every time one of our instructors gets in the water with a child, they’re pushing back against that statistic. That’s what we do here. That’s who we are.
So if you’ve been thinking about applying, keep reading.
Who Thrives at Little Fins
We hire for attitude first. Skills second.
Some of our best instructors had never taught a lesson when they walked through our doors. What they had was energy, heart, and a genuine love for working with kids. We can teach technique. We can teach methodology. We can teach the methods and approach that forms the backbone of our survival swimming program.
What we can’t teach is passion. That has to come with you.
The people who thrive here are the ones who:
- Light up when a kid finally floats on their own
- Show up with positive energy even on a packed Tuesday evening
- Follow through on what they say they’re going to do
- Care about the families we serve — not just the lessons
- Want to grow, not just coast
Sound like you? Then let’s talk.
What Swim Instructors Actually Do
As a Little Fins swim instructor, your day is spent in the water. Our heated indoor pools at both our Garden of the Gods and Union Boulevard locations mean year-round, consistent schedules — no seasonal layoffs, no outdoor weather headaches.
You’ll teach one-on-one and small group lessons to students of all ages. Progress updates with parents happen after every lesson, and you’ll adapt your approach to each swimmer’s unique needs. Building real confidence in the water — that’s the goal every single day.
It’s not always easy. Some days are physically demanding. Some kids take longer to click. But the moment a child who was terrified of the water swims across the pool on their own? Nothing touches that.
Here’s what the pay looks like:
- Instructors start at $16/hour after training
- Performance-based advancement to $18–$22/hour
- Experienced instructors and specialty/leadership roles can earn $40–$50/hour
- Growth paths include Lead Instructor, Elite Instructor, Pod Leader, Aqua Babies Specialist, and management roles
We tie raises and promotions directly to your development and performance. If you show up and grow, we invest in you.
What Admin Team Members Do
Not everyone who makes Little Fins run gets in the water — and that’s just as important.
Our administrative team members are the first voice families hear when they call, the first face they see when they walk in, and the people who keep operations smooth so our instructors can focus on what they do best.
In this role, you’ll manage scheduling, handle customer inquiries, coordinate substitutes, process billing, and create the kind of experience that makes families feel like they made the right choice choosing Little Fins. You’ll work across phone, text, email, and in person — and you’ll need to be someone who genuinely loves serving people.
Admin positions start at $16–$18/hour depending on experience, with clear paths to specialized and leadership roles.
The Culture. For Real.
We talk about culture a lot because we’ve actually built one. It didn’t happen by accident, it happened because we made it a priority from day one.
As a result, our eight core values aren’t just words on a wall. They’re how we hire, how we promote, how we handle hard days, and how we celebrate big wins:
Integrity First.
Follow Through & Over Deliver.
People Over Profits.
Growth-Minded Grit.
Lead With Love.
Fun Is Fundamental.
Own the Outcome.
Think Bigger, Act Bolder.
Every team member is expected to lead with these values. And every leader is expected to model them. When we say “Lead with Love,” we mean it — you’ll feel it in how we run staff meetings, how we recognize great work, and how we support each other when things get hard.
We use what we call Bubble Briefs, short daily huddles, to start the day connected and aligned. We celebrate wins. We communicate. We build each other up.
Many of our staff tell us they stay because of the relationships they build, the meaning in the work, and the genuine opportunities to grow. That’s not an accident. That’s intentional.
What You Get Beyond the Paycheck
We believe your development matters beyond your shift. Here’s what working at Little Fins includes:
- Discounted swim lessons for your family
- CPR and First Aid certification (we offer it regularly at discounted rates for our team)
- PPF Goal Setting — Personal, Professional, and Financial goal coaching to help you build the life you want
- Ongoing professional development and clear advancement pathways
- A team that genuinely roots for you
The Requirements (The Basics)
For swim instructor positions:
- At least 16 years old
- Able to swim
- Comfortable being in the water for 3–6 hour shifts
- Available for evenings and weekends (that’s when families need us)
- Committed to at least 6 months of employment
No prior teaching experience required — but you’ll need the drive, the warmth, and the work ethic to back it up.
We’re Hiring Right Now
Both our Garden of the Gods location (4465 Northpark Drive) and our Union Boulevard location (1625 Medical Center Point) are actively hiring for swim instructor and administrative positions.
Whether this is your first job, a meaningful part-time role, or the next step in a career you care about — Little Fins might be the place.
We can’t wait to meet you.
Let’s go save lives.
— Lauri Armstrong Founder & Owner, Little Fins Swim School Colorado Springs, CO | LittleFinsSwimSchool.com 
