Recreation Specialist - Aquatics

CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE•Wheat Ridge, CO

1d•$23 - $32

About The Position

GENERAL PURPOSE: Responsible for the on-site supervision and operation of the aquatic facilities, pool and mechanical maintenance, staff scheduling and relations, public contact, records retention, and staff training and auditing. May work both at an indoor and outdoor pool locations. Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting. CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!: Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals. Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization. Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City. NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!

Requirements

Pool mechanics, chemistry and routine maintenance.
Swim instruction and methods for swim instruction.
Lifeguarding methods and techniques, aquatic safety and risk management, principles and practices of supervision, and training and evaluation.
Preparing written reports and projects.
Analyze mechanical pool problems and make minor repairs, perform routine mechanical and chemical pool maintenance, and identify and correct facility safety hazards.
Supervise, train and evaluate subordinates and work under minimal supervision.
Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and guests.
Deal tactfully with the public.
Use good judgment and make sound decisions in stressful or emergency situations.
Accurately complete a variety of forms, logs and reports while working in a highly visible work environment.
Sufficient strength to make rescues and lift 50 lbs, able to carry a rescue tube on a daily basis for up to 140 minutes at a time; able to perform rescue and lifeguard skills based upon StarGuard ELITE criteria on a daily basis.
High School Diploma or equivalent; two (2) years college preferred.
Current StarGuard ELITE Lifeguard certification or equivalent required at the time of application. Selected candidates will be provided StarGuard ELITE Lifeguard Training at no cost.
Aquatic Facility Operator, Certified Pool Operator, or equivalent certification required.
StarGuard ELITE 1-Star Instructor, StarGuard ELITE Supervisor, and Starfish Aquatics Institute Swim Instructor required within 12 months of hire.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in aquatics with one (1) year supervisory responsibilities or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain the pool and mechanical equipment; conduct daily walk-through of facility to ensure appropriate operations and appearance; conduct routine preventative maintenance on mechanical equipment and aquatic facility equipment; maintain accurate inventory of first aid, chemical, operating, and program supplies.
Assist Supervisor in maintaining smooth operations of all pools during the summer season and indoor pool year-round.
Ensure city policies, pool rules, and regulations regarding the operation of the pool are adhered to and enforced by the team members.
Ensure the safety and wellbeing of the public.
Complete and maintain a variety of reports, forms, files, and other records as required in an accurate and timely manner, i.e., daily records of water chemistry, attendance, maintenance, cleaning, lifeguard audits and training, incident reports, rescue reports, shift reports, and employee coaching forms.
Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training aquatics staff, assigning work, and monitoring progress.
Conduct regularly scheduled in-service training for Lifeguards and Swim Instructors.
When scheduled at the outdoor pool, the Recreation Specialist, Aquatics will complete all cash reports and deposits from the concession stand and uphold cash handling requirements.
Perform as a lifeguard or swim instructor as necessary.
General oversight and training of a variety of variable team members assigned to Aquatics, including Lifeguards I and II, Managers on Duty, Swim Instructors, Aquatic Fitness Instructors, Concessionaires, and Guest Services Attendants.
General oversight and training of full time Head Lifeguards.
Other duties assigned as appropriate by the position.