Director of Aquatics (5224)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Westchester, CA

About The Position

The Aquatics Director manages the Aquatics Department, ensuring it meets monthly, quarterly, and annual goals and objectives and complies with Association standards and safety procedures. The director hires, trains, evaluates, and supervises staff and volunteers; develops and manages the department budget; and supports fundraising campaigns and volunteer committees. The role oversees aquatic programs and pool operations, including program development, staff supervision and scheduling, facility and equipment maintenance, safety inspections, records, and compliance with state, local, and YMCA requirements. The director builds community relationships, responds to member and community inquiries, evaluates program effectiveness, markets programs, and coordinates program communications. The position also supports fundraising and volunteer recruitment and retention, and ensures YMCA swim lessons are delivered in a nurturing environment using the YMCA of the USA swim lesson program. When on duty as a lifeguard, the director must continuously scan the aquatic area, enforce safety rules, respond to emergencies, complete required reports, and maintain required aquatic rescue and resuscitation skills. The role requires the physical and sensory abilities to perform lifeguard duties, including swimming and rescue tasks, remaining alert for extended periods, and communicating clearly during emergencies. The director attends required meetings and training, upholds YMCA safety and character standards, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Current YMCA Lifeguarding certification, or American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification with the requirement to obtain YMCA Lifeguarding Certification within 90 days of hire.
Current BLS for the Professional Rescuer certification from the American Safety & Health Institute, American Red Cross, or American Heart Association.
Current Standard/Community First Aid certification.
Current Emergency Oxygen Administration certification.
Ability to maintain required certifications and demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
Ability to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including the specified swimming, water-rescue, CPR, alertness, vision, hearing, communication, and physical tasks.
Ability to tread water for 2 minutes using legs only; swim 250 yards of front crawl; swim 50 yards each of front crawl with head up, breaststroke, breaststroke with head up, and elementary backstroke kick with hands on chest; and complete the listed surface-dive, underwater swim, object-retrieval, and water-exit tasks.
Ability to sit for extended periods in an elevated chair, remain alert and focused on the entire zone of responsibility for extended periods, move safely around the facility, hear and distinguish distress signals amid background noise, and continuously scan pool areas with clear vision.
Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for water rescue and to communicate clearly and promptly with others and emergency personnel, including projecting the voice and giving and receiving directions.
Ability to act swiftly in emergencies, perform rescue and resuscitation skills, and take action when a person may be in danger.
Demonstrate YMCA values and the Six Pillars of Character in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and staff.
Demonstrate competencies and willingness to develop in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of one year of aquatics experience; three to four years of supervisory experience is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree.
YUSA Lifeguarding Instructor Certification.
YUSA Swim Lesson Instructor Certification.
CPO or POOL certification.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise aquatic program activities to meet community needs and YMCA objectives.
Establish new program activities and expand programs in accordance with strategic and operating plans.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations.
Supervise department staff on-site and off-site, ensuring staff are qualified, certified, and meeting performance standards.
Recruit and hire staff using screening tools and panel interviews.
Train staff and volunteers through meetings, courses, and workshops.
Maintain current certification records, job descriptions, and performance standards for employees.
Develop work schedules, coordinate daily work, and ensure employee timecards are properly recorded.
Monitor pool operations for compliance with state, local, and YMCA health and safety regulations.
Conduct and ensure proper pool maintenance; secure and schedule pool facilities; and maintain records of chemical levels and facility maintenance.
Respond promptly to member and community inquiries and complaints, and maintain positive relationships with members, participants, and staff.
Monitor and evaluate aquatic program effectiveness and participation.
Develop the annual aquatic programs operating budget and manage it to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual goals.
Identify program volunteer roles and assist with volunteer identification, hiring, and tracking; ensure assigned committees have staff leadership and appropriate documents.
Create year-round member involvement opportunities supporting fundraising goals, and recruit and retain Community Support Campaign leadership.
Conduct scheduled safety inspections and meet Association aquatic safety and risk-management standards.
Market aquatic programs to members and the community, and communicate program, registration, and schedule information effectively with branch management and membership staff.
Ensure swim lessons use the YMCA of the USA swim lesson program and provide a nurturing environment for participants.
While on lifeguard duty, continuously scan the pool and aquatic area, review emergency procedures, respond to emergencies, complete required reports, and enforce safety rules and policies.
Maintain accurate records required by the YMCA and state Health Department code; perform equipment checks and ensure appropriate equipment is available.
Identify opportunities to improve safety standards and monitor the aquatic area for hazards, reporting unsafe conditions and taking appropriate action.
Use problem-solving skills to make timely decisions, supervise, evaluate, instruct, and recognize potential danger or injury.
Successfully complete periodic aquatic safety assessments and perform required rescue, resuscitation, and survival skills.
Attend required staff meetings and training, uphold YMCA safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk-management policies, and demonstrate YMCA values and leadership competencies.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.