Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5. We are doing something about it.

The Childhood Drowning Prevention Foundation is a California-based nonprofit dedicated to eradicating childhood drowning through high-quality, 1:1 private swim instruction, community outreach, and water safety education. Big Kahuna Swim Academy is our swim school — and the heartbeat of everything we do. Since 2015, we have taught over 25,000 swim lessons across our Norco and Riverside locations, serving 800+ lessons per month during our busy season. Approximately 30% of our student base are special needs students, with a strong emphasis on autistic learners — a population we are deeply proud to serve.

We are small, scrappy, and mission-driven. We are not a corporate swim chain. We are a grassroots nonprofit building something that matters — and we are looking for people who want to help us build it.

We are not hiring to fill a shift. We are hiring for the long haul — people who want to grow with this organization, contribute to its mission, and help us expand from a boutique local nonprofit into one that reaches thousands of children across the state and eventually the nation.

If you are looking for something to tide you over until something better comes along, this is not the right fit. If you are looking for a place where your work saves lives, your effort is noticed, and your growth is intentional — keep reading.

We hire for character and work ethic first. Skill can be taught. The following cannot:

This position is seasonal in nature. Our busiest months are May through September, and our slowest months are October through April. During the off-season, hours may be reduced organization-wide. Team members who build strong relationships with their families and students and bring in more clients tend to maintain more consistent hours year-round — our high performers. With that in mind, we ask that you be in a financial position to sustain a potential reduction in hours during our slower months and have a plan in place for that season.

About This Application

We are not hiring for one specific role. We are hiring for the right people.

We have a number of part-time and fractional roles available — likely the best fit for someone flexible and mission-minded rather than a seasoned specialist, given our nonprofit pay scale. That might mean teaching swim lessons, answering phones, supporting me directly, or handling day-to-day operations. Roles span a wide range of functions, including:

• Swim instruction (private, 1:1 lessons & group lesson)
• Client communications & front-office support
• Data entry, recordkeeping & filing systems
• Social media content scheduling & basic design
• Event planning & logistics
• Community engagement & outreach
• Recruiting coordination & candidate management
• Facility maintenance
• Executive assistance & CEO support
• General admin & operational support

If you believe in the mission, show up for the people around you, and want to be part of building something that genuinely saves children’s lives — we want to hear from you.

What we can offer beyond a paycheck is meaningful work. Every hour you contribute directly supports our mission to prevent childhood drowning — one child at a time.

What We Value

I don’t hire for résumés. I hire for character. Skill can be taught. The following cannot:

• Reliability — You show up, you follow through, and you communicate when something changes. Early is on time. On time is late.
• Coachability — You receive feedback without defensiveness and implement it immediately. You see correction as investment, not criticism.
• Emotional Maturity — You bring calm, positive energy. You assume good intent. You address concerns directly rather than letting them fester or spread.
• Initiative — You notice what needs to be done and do it without being asked. You bring solutions, not just problems.
• Mission Alignment — You genuinely care about why we exist. The children and families we serve are not just clients — they are the reason we come to work every day.

Who We’re Looking For

The right candidate:

• Is reliable — early is on time; they prepare before being asked and follow through without reminders
• Is coachable — they implement feedback immediately, without defensiveness or excuses
• Has emotional maturity — they assume good intent, don’t gossip, and address concerns directly
• Shows initiative — they notice what needs doing and step in without being asked
• Is mission-driven — they’re not just looking for any job; they care about why CDPF exists

Experience working with special needs populations — including autism, sensory processing differences, and developmental delays — is a major plus. If this part of our mission excites you, we especially want to hear from you.

A Note on Seasonality

This position is seasonal in nature. Our busiest months are May through September, and our slowest months are October through April. During the off-season, hours may be reduced organization-wide. Team members who build strong relationships with their families and students and bring in more clients tend to maintain more consistent hours year-round. We ask that you be in a financial position to sustain a potential reduction in hours during our slower months and have a plan in place for that season.

What You Can Expect From Us

• A mission that matters and work that is never meaningless
• A team that holds each other to a high standard — and supports each other in meeting it
• Clear expectations, honest feedback, and a culture of growth
• The opportunity to be part of building something from the ground up
• A leader who is invested in your development and committed to this mission for the long haul

Requirements

• At least 18 years old and a high school graduate
• Reliable transportation to our Norco and/or Riverside locations
• Ability to commit to a consistent weekly schedule
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Willing to complete a background check and drug screen
• CPR/First Aid certified (or willing to obtain prior to start date) — required for aquatic roles

Compensation & Details

• Starting at $17–$20/hour, commensurate with experience and role
• Both locations: Norco (5th St and Hamner) and Riverside (19531 Mission Village Dr)
• Year-round positions available
• Part-time (potential full-time opportunities)

A Note From Our Founder

“I started this with one goal: to prevent childhood drowning. I’ve spent over a decade building something I believe in deeply — and I’m looking for people who want to be part of building it with me. Not for a year. Not for a few seasons. For the long run. If that resonates with you, let’s talk.”

— Tenaya Goldsmith, Founder & CEO