Program Leader Aquatic Operations

Darebin City Council; City of Darebin; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Reservoir Leisure Centre location

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Darebin City Council is seeking an Aquatic Operations Program Leader to manage around 50 staff across lifeguard and duty manager teams at Reservoir Leisure Centre. You will ensure facilities meet GSPO, health and safety regulations and regulatory requirements while delivering safe, responsive community services.

The role blends strategic leadership with hands‑on operational delivery, focusing on governance, training and continuous service improvements to support the Darebin community.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing small and large groups in an aquatic setting and an understanding of, and ability to implement personnel practices including equal opportunity and health and safety and training and development.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Pool Plant and general maintenance operations and procedures.
• Ability to build relationships with community groups, clubs and key stakeholders.
• Understanding of RLSSA’s Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop high performing teams, managing both lifeguard and duty manager teams through collaboration, support, strong customer focus, and continuous improvements
• Oversee effective management of external facility hire and build trusted relationships with external stakeholders
• Ensure governance, compliance and quality assurance, ensuring services and practices meet legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Stakeholder relations

GSPO knowledge

Pool plant knowledge

Job description

• Lead lifeguard and duty manager teams to enable effective operational delivery
• Full time (38 hours per week), Competitive Salary
• Located at Reservoir Leisure Centre
• Lead lifeguard and duty manager teams to enable effective operational delivery
• Full time (38 hours per week), Competitive Salary
• Located at Reservoir Leisure Centre

About the role:

As Aquatic Operations Program Leader, you’ll be responsible for managing around 50 employees between both the lifeguard and duty manager teams at Reservoir Leisure Centre.

The position must ensure that facilities and services conform to the Guidelines to Safe Pool Operation (GSPO), Health Regulations and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. You’ll combine strategic leadership with operational delivery, ensuring services are safe, compliant and responsive to community needs.

You will:

• Lead and develop high performing teams , managing both the lifeguard and duty manager teams through collaboration, support, strong customer focus, and continuous improvements
• Oversee effective management of external facility hire and build trusted relationships with external stakeholders
• Ensure governance, compliance and quality assurance , ensuring services and practices meet legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements

About you:

• Experience in managing small and large groups in an aquatic setting and an understanding of, and ability to implement personnel practices including equal opportunity and health and safety and training and development.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Pool Plant and general maintenance operations and procedures.
• Ability to build relationships with community groups, clubs and key stakeholders.
• Understanding of RLSSA’s Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO).

Why Darebin?

Darebin City Council is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We proudly serve one of the most diverse communities in Victoria, and we know that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.

We offer:

• A supportive team environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A workplace that values collaboration, integrity, respect and creativity
• The chance to make a real difference

Applications close on Sunday 22 Nov 2026 at 11:30pm. Applications will be reviewed during the advertising period so if you’re interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to get your application in as early as possible.

For a confidential discussion about the role and the opportunity, contact Molly Cooper, Aquatic Operations Team Leader at [e-mail] , or on 9496 1050.

Should you need reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs, please get in contact with us and advise how we can best support you.

Pre-employment Checks

Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough ‘Safety Screening’ processes apply.

To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards.

All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessmen t.

• Lead lifeguard and duty manager teams to enable effective operational delivery
• Full time (38 hours per week), Competitive Salary
• Located at Reservoir Leisure Centre

• Lead lifeguard and duty manager teams to enable effective operational delivery

• Full time (38 hours per week), Competitive Salary
• Located at Reservoir Leisure Centre

Darebin City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners and custodians of this land and pays respect to their Elders past and present.