Under general supervision of the school principal and in collaboration with adapted aquatics educators, the Adapted Aquatics Assistant performs tasks to support the organization and implementation of an adapted aquatics program for students with disabilities at schools eligible to request adapted aquatics services.  An employee of this class is responsible for performing a range of aquatics therapy duties for one or more students in the adapted aquatics program. The incumbent is expected to operate under general instructions/guidelines which require the use of considerable judgment and exercise initiative in carrying out program duties and responsibilities.  The work is reviewed by the principal and related service providers for results obtained in meeting the objectives and goals of the adapted aquatics program.

Participates in a wide variety of activities that meet the developmental learning needs of students with disabilities, including supporting motor, language and behavioral development in the adapted aquatics program;

Addresses student’s personal care needs, as well as learning and behavioral needs under the direction of an aquatics teacher or program coordinator;

Assists with supporting students in the adapted aquatics program, including the safe transfer of students in and out of the aquatics therapy tank;

Works collaboratively with aquatics teachers, classroom teachers and related service providers (i.e., Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, School Nurse, Speech and Language Therapist, etc.) that can provide information relative to medically fragile students and students with disabilities to support instruction;

Assists in the processing of parent/guardian permission forms and maintaining a current list of students with parent/guardian permission to be involved in the adapted aquatics program;

Supports students and staff at assigned school(s) regarding safety, locker rooms and pool procedures;

Assists with emergency care situations including transferring students to a safe environment and documentation of the event according to approved procedures;

Performs other duties as assigned.

General knowledge of COMAR and PGCPS philosophy, regulations, standard operating procedures and expectations;

Knowledge of swimming skills and the actions that are effective in balancing and moving a body through water;

Possesses the skills to deliver adapted aquatics therapy to individuals of varying capabilities and disabilities;

Knowledge and understanding of the approved Adapted Aquatics Emergency Plan for Therapy Tanks for PGCPS;

Ability to be flexible in regards to changes in assignments within the location or from location to location;

Ability to perform all tasks designated as necessary to the implementation of the aquatics program, including getting in the pool and supporting students and equipment;

Excellent communication and collaboration skills; interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;

Experience with students that exhibit challenging behaviors; and

Technical experience working with spreadsheets and databases.

A high school diploma required; preferably supplemented with additional coursework and/or training in adapted aquatics or special education.  A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with students with special needs is required.



Must be willing to obtain CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Certification within the first 6 (six) months of employment.



No direct supervisory responsibilities.



The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and see. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, lift, pull, push, grasp, climb and balance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs. and/or 100 lbs. when operating a wheelchair lift and assisting a special-needs student.




The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.




None.