Aquatics Lead

YMCA of Western North CarolinaHendersonville, NC
$16 - $0Onsite

About The Position

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, we engage more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. We do this through seven YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age childcare, we give more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are made up of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working side by side to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential with dignity. Thus, we are “For All”. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and they guide everything we do. We are committed to being an organization that exposes and addresses social constraints that limit and/or negatively affect all humans from all walks of life. We recruit staff who are passionate about giving back to the community, helping people, and upholding our core values. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org. ABOUT THE ROLE As the Aquatics Lead, you will maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas. You will create a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and promotes safety in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. You will build positive relationships with members and program participants through effective listening and verbal skills and creatively finds ways to connect them to one another and the Y community. You will assist in the orientation and on-site training of new lifeguard staff at the facility and acts as a role model for part-time aquatic staff.

Requirements

  • Must be 21 years of age or older
  • Must have a minimum of 24 months of lifeguarding experience.
  • Must be able to work weekend and evening shifts.
  • Must hold and maintain current certifications in the following: Lifeguard CPR for the Professional Rescuer Standard First Aid Emergency Oxygen Administration – O2 Automated External Defibrillation – AED Blood Borne Pathogens and Darkness to Light (within 90 days)
  • Ability to perform all necessary rescue and survival skills and all lifeguard prerequisite skills.
  • Able to communicate verbally with good voice projection and clarity.
  • Hear noises and distress signals in an aquatic environment. (Significant background noise may exist in the aquatic environment.)
  • Remain alert without lapses in consciousness for extended periods of time.
  • Lift 50+ lbs. from the floor and 200+ lbs. in rescue situations.
  • Sit for extended periods of time, including in an elevated chair.
  • Ascend and descend ladders.
  • Communicate verbally with good voice projection and clarity.
  • Hear noises and distress signals in an aquatic environment. (Significant background noise may exist in the aquatic environment.)
  • Observe all areas of the aquatic area, including the pool deck, water surface, and pool bottom
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time.
  • Bend or stoop to reach various height levels

Nice To Haves

  • Lifeguard Instructor and WSI or YMCA Swim Instructor certifications are preferred

Responsibilities

  • Assists Aquatics Supervisor with recruiting, orientation, and on-site training of new lifeguard staff.
  • Displays a professional, courteous, and tactful demeanor at all times.
  • Always strive to display a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
  • Performs and documents drop drills and aquatic quick checks for the aquatics team.
  • Continuously exhibits honesty, caring, respect, responsibility, reliability, flexibility, maturity, and good decision-making skills.
  • Attends and assists in all required aquatic staff training and meetings.
  • Accurately completes and submits all safety and maintenance records concerning the pool area and usage of the pool as outlined in the Lifeguard Manual.
  • Inspects and maintains all emergency equipment (Shepherd's Crooks, ring buoys, rescue tubes, etc.) and other pool equipment; informs the Aquatics Supervisor and/or Properties Director immediately of necessary equipment repairs.
  • Maintains and documents inventory of first aid and training supplies.
  • Observes all area of the aquatic area, including pool decks, water surface, and pool bottom.
  • Always champions the YMCA culture, continually provides outstanding customer service, and strives to develop committed members and program participants.
  • Actively participates in membership retention and appreciation efforts when applicable.
  • Trains new lifeguard staff on how to build relationships with members and how the YMCA culture is relevant in the Aquatics Department.
  • Initiates communications with the Aquatics Supervisor as necessary concerning program problems, personnel conflicts, and member concerns.
  • Acts as Aquatics Supervisor on duty when the Aquatics leader is not present.
  • 90% of the aquatic lead's time will be spent in direct service as the lifeguard on duty, swim instructor, or a combination of both.
  • Responsible for skill management of 6-30 aquatic team members.
  • Performs other duties as required by the Aquatics Supervisor.

Benefits

  • medical, dental and vision insurance
  • group life insurance
  • long-term disability paid by the Y
  • short-term disability, term life insurance and dependent life insurance is available for purchase
  • generous paid time off
  • retirement plan with employer contribution of 12% of salary (subject to eligibility requirements)
  • free YMCA membership
  • free afterschool childcare and summer day camp
  • program discounts
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service