Aquatics Director

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION KANKAKEE•Kankakee, IL

3d•$48,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Aquatics Director provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight of YMCA aquatic facilities, staff, and programs, including swim lessons, water fitness, and other approved aquatic activities. The role ensures safe and reliable pool operations, qualified supervision, effective staff development, financial stewardship, and responsive member service. Through inclusive water safety education, collaboration, and responsible use of resources, the Aquatics Director strengthens families and advances the YMCA mission. The director manages aquatic programs and staff, maintains compliance with applicable health codes and YMCA safety and child protection policies, directs pool operations, and develops and manages the annual aquatics budget. The role also builds community partnerships, collaborates with other departments, organizes aquatic events, analyzes performance measures, and supports marketing and fundraising. The Aquatics Director leads safety drills, staff training, emergency planning, incident follow-up, and corrective actions while maintaining child protection and supervision practices. The position is full-time and exempt. It requires at least two years of experience managing aquatic operations or programs. A bachelor’s degree in recreation, health sciences, education, or a related field is preferred. Current lifeguard certification and CPR/AED/First Aid credentials appropriate to the facility are required before independently overseeing aquatic safety operations. The director must be available to work evenings and weekends as necessary and meet the physical demands of lifeguard duties and water-based supervision.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of experience managing aquatic operations or programs.
Current lifeguard certification and CPR/AED/First Aid credentials appropriate to the facility before independently overseeing aquatic safety operations.
Complete required YMCA child abuse prevention and other role-specific safety training before assuming duties requiring such training, and maintain all required credentials.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to relate effectively to people of all backgrounds and build a safe, inclusive environment.
Sufficient strength and mobility to perform essential lifeguard duties and supervise water-based activities.
Ability to lift and move equipment and children during emergency or instructional response.
Availability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in recreation, health sciences, education, or a related field.
3 years of progressively responsible aquatic leadership experience.
Lifeguard Instructor certification; if not held, obtain within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

Manage and evaluate swim lessons, water safety education, water fitness, and other approved aquatic programs in alignment with YMCA standards, community needs, and staffing capacity.
Lead aquatic staff, including lifeguards, swim instructors, water fitness instructors, and seasonal personnel; oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance development, evaluations, and succession planning.
Ensure compliance with health codes, YMCA safety and child protection policies, facility standards, and reporting requirements; document inspections, incidents, corrective actions, and staff certifications.
Direct daily pool operations, including water quality, safety checks, equipment coordination, lifeguard coverage, and contingency plans for absences or service interruptions.
Develop and manage the annual aquatics budget; review monthly financial results, monitor revenues and expenses, evaluate program sustainability, and recommend resource allocations.
Serve as lead aquatic liaison for schools, community agencies, and aquatic partners to strengthen water safety education and access to YMCA programs.
Collaborate across departments on aquatic components of youth programs, including swim days during camp and water safety days for enrichment programs.
Design and execute aquatic events, such as Family Swim Nights and Learn to Swim Weeks.
Compile and analyze participation, service quality, safety, staffing, and financial measures to guide decisions and continuous improvement.
Assist with Association marketing and fundraising events.
Lead aquatic safety drills, staff in-service training, emergency action planning, incident follow-up, and documented corrective actions.
Maintain child protection and supervision practices across aquatic activities and promptly escalate safety concerns through established reporting procedures.
Expand partnerships with schools, city departments, and healthcare agencies to increase access to swim lessons and water safety education.
Host seasonal aquatic community events and ensure culturally competent, inclusive programming for diverse community groups.
Build an accountable and engaged aquatic team through training, clear expectations, coaching, recognition, mentoring, and leadership development.
Coordinate internal communication and collaborate with Membership Services on schedules, updates, and member concerns.
Coordinate appropriate volunteer roles for approved aquatic programs, special events, and poolside activities; provide safety guidance and solutions for the Safety & Risk Subcommittee.
Support philanthropic efforts by communicating aquatics-related impact stories, tracking grant-funded programs and preparing outcome reports, and facilitating donor swim tours or impact showcases.
Stay current on national aquatic standards and innovations; explore new programs when safety, staffing, demand, and resources permit.
Cross-train with other program directors to support alignment across membership, youth development, childcare, and camp programs.