Aquatics Director

Old Colony YMCA•Middleboro, MA

About The Position

The Aquatics Director oversees aquatic programming, pool safety, staff, budgets, and facility operations for Old Colony Y. The role ensures that the organization’s swim testing and safety standards are followed whenever the facility is open, and that members and program participants have engaging opportunities to use the pool. The director leads certified lifeguards, coordinates lifeguard training, supports swim lessons and water-safety programming, and communicates with participants and the wider branch team. The position also contributes to the Old Colony Y Aquatics Team and promotes aquatic programs and water safety in the community. The director recruits, hires, trains, mentors, schedules, and evaluates aquatic staff and volunteers; maintains certifications and training records; and helps staff develop professionally. Fiscal duties include following financial procedures, maintaining attendance and class records, participating in the Annual Campaign, developing and managing the aquatic budget, and promoting memberships. Facility duties include maintaining emergency and first-aid supplies, coordinating pool maintenance and water quality with the branch CPO, opening and closing the pool, securing and cleaning pool areas, maintaining equipment, reporting problems, and serving as a Manager on Duty in collaboration with branch leadership. The director also promotes Y programs through public appearances, presentations, and community collaboration.

Requirements

Team Leader Certification from Y-USA, or actively working toward it.
Acquire and maintain Ellis Lifeguard (LG) and Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certifications within required timelines.
Acquire and maintain American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) or Water Safety Instructor Trainer (WSIT) certification within required timelines.
Acquire and maintain Vangaard Aquatics Supervisor Training within required timelines.
At least 3–5 years of related work experience.
Physical ability to teach aquatic lessons and lift an adult male from the pool to the pool deck.
Complete program-specific and employee orientation training by the required timeline.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience preferred.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Uphold Old Colony Y swim testing and safety standards during all operating hours.
Lead lifeguards and ensure effective guarding through regular five-minute quick-check observations.
Conduct lifeguard in-services that prepare staff to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.
Coordinate pool programming and schedules to support use by members and program participants.
Contribute to the Old Colony Y Aquatics Team, including scheduling and quality control of Association lifeguard trainings.
Use Old Colony Y marketing materials to promote water safety, aquatic activities, and swim lessons and programs at the Y and Cosgrove Pool.
Ensure continuous supervision of the pool area, locker rooms, and swimmers while the aquatic facility is open.
Complete and submit in-service records, swim testing, incident reports, emergency action plan documentation, and Ellis administrative materials on time.
Communicate aquatic-related information with the supervisor and branch team.
Deliver high-quality swim lessons and water-safety programming through certified staff while meeting or exceeding allocated budget targets.
Communicate student progress, class expectations, and dates to swim lesson participants.
Maintain adequate quantities and condition of lifejackets/PFDs, safety equipment, water-fitness equipment, family and water toys, and swim-lesson aids.
Coordinate pool use with other program departments.
Teach swim classes and lifeguard as needed.
Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and evaluate aquatic staff, supporting professional growth and higher-level certifications.
Recruit, train, and provide leadership for volunteers.
Model lifeguard job expectations while guarding.
Assign and post staff schedules to ensure adequate pool coverage during all operating hours.
Ensure staff certifications and in-service requirements are current and training documentation is properly filed.
Follow fiscal policies and procedures for program registration, purchase orders, company credit cards, and employee expenses.
Maintain accurate attendance records and class rosters.
Participate in the Annual Campaign by running at least one aquatic-department fundraising event.
Develop the annual aquatics budget and manage the aquatic program budget to meet or exceed budgeted targets.
Promote, recruit, and maintain memberships.
Keep emergency-action-plan and first-aid equipment stocked and checked, and raise improvement needs with the branch team.
Work with or serve as the branch CPO to maintain a clean, safe, and organized pump room and chemical storage area, and to support water quality and pool maintenance.
Open and close the pool according to the Association checklists and schedule.
Secure the pool area, keep it attended and locked as appropriate, and check doors and windows.
Maintain daily cleanliness of pool areas, including hosing the deck, brushing walls, cleaning the staff office, storing equipment neatly, inspecting the area, and reporting problems in writing to the supervisor.
Assign and post facility-related jobs for staff.
Serve as Manager on Duty alongside other branch leaders to support branch operations.
Promote Y programs through public appearances, presentations, and community collaboration.
Model and teach YMCA values, champion inclusion, and support high-quality services.
Provide volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition.
Listen empathetically and communicate effectively when handling negotiations and conflict; build relationships and tailor communications to the audience.
Provide staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support; hold staff accountable for quality results and use formal processes to measure progress.
Support program launches, provide decision-making frameworks, develop plans and best practices through team engagement, and cultivate fundraising relationships.
Create and manage budgets effectively; address sensitive issues and performance concerns using non-threatening methods, share insights, and facilitate change while modeling adaptability.
Complete program-specific and employee orientation training within the required timeline.