Program Director - Aquatics

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Aquatics Program Director is responsible for overseeing the strategic development, day-to-day operations, and continuous improvement of all aquatic’s programs, including swim lessons, competitive and recreational swim programs, and special aquatic events. This role provides leadership for aquatic safety, program quality, and facility readiness, ensuring all programs operate safely, efficiently, and in alignment with the YMCA’s mission and values. The Aquatics Program Director is accountable for the overall upkeep and maintenance of aquatic facilities through effective coordination with internal staff and preferred vendors, including pool maintenance and outsourced lifeguard services, to ensure a safe, clean, and well-maintained aquatic environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Directs and supervises program activities to meet the needs of the community and fulfill YMCA objectives
• Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules and directs staff and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals
• Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals
• Establishes new program activities and expands program within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans
• Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information, may organize and schedule program registrations.
• Review and process program scholarship applications
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations
• Develops and monitors program budget to meet fiscal objectives
• Coordinates use of facilities for program activities and events
• Supervises aquatics fitness instructors, providing leadership, training, scheduling support, and performance oversight to ensure high-quality, safe, and engaging aquatic fitness programming.
• Manages and maintains the aquatic facility schedule within the Daxko operations system, ensuring accurate program setup, space utilization, staffing alignment, and clear communication of pool availability to members and staff.
• Oversees aquatic first aid and safety supply inventory, assigning a Senior Swim Instructor to maintain inventory levels for all first aid kits, safety supplies, and departmental emergency bags, and ensuring readiness and compliance with YMCA and regulatory standards.
• Assists in YMCA Annual Campaign activities and special events
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions. Responds to all member and community inquiries and complaints in timely manner
• Compiles program statistics. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and participation in programs
• Liaison for Cooksey’s Lifeguards
• Maintains accurate records of pool chemical levels and facility maintenance
• Maintains accurate records of staff certifications
• Conducts and ensures proper maintenance and cleaning of pools and deck area.
• Secures and schedules pool facilities
• Works with Facility Engineer to ensure MSDS sheets are kept up to date
• Performs other duties as assigned

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader):

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.

Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.

Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience
• Minimum of two years of successful program management or related experience in aquatics or a related field
• Ability to direct programs through supervision of volunteers and staff, development and monitoring of budgets, marketing and public relations, program development and fundraising
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community
• Basic computer skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), email correspondence and web-based program basics
• Must be able to adhere to timetables, meet deadlines and prioritize. Ability to work with multiple staff of varying skill/ability levels
• Current certifications from recognized providers to teach and certify Swim Instructors, CPR and First Aid, which must be kept up to date
• Certified Pool / Spa Operator Certification (CPO) required within 6 months of employment
• All required online training must be completed before starting work
• Criminal Record Clearance

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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 regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EFFECT ON END RESULTS

Successful performance of this job will result in safe and healthy pools and aquatic facilities, high quality YMCA aquatics programs that are mission-driven and consistent with YMCA Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, excellent member and staff satisfaction, and a fiscal performance consistent with the overall branch operating budget.