Adaptive Aquatics Program Coordinator (Recreation Assistant VIII, S8)

Montgomery County Government; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at the Montgomery County Recreation as an Adaptive Aquatics Program Coordinator. In this role, you will create and oversee aquatic programs tailored for individuals with disabilities, ensuring safety and inclusivity while fostering a love for water activities. Your leadership will be vital in training instructors, engaging with the community, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience: 6,240 hours (3 years) as an instructor or supervisor in specialized recreation activities.
• Must hold current Lifeguard, CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Certification in Water Safety Instruction (WSI) and/or Adaptive Aquatics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a swim lesson program for individuals with disabilities.
• Coordinate swim assessments to determine participants’ skill levels.
• Ensure compliance with ADA guidelines and promote inclusive aquatics.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Compassion

Patience

Education

Completion of two (2) years of college

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County Department of Recreation is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with a mission to provide high quality, diverse, and accessible community-based programs, activities, and services that serve the recreation and leisure needs of the Montgomery County community. The department manages 39 facilities including recreation centers, senior centers, and indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and provides thousands of programs such as out-of-school activities, aquatics, classes, youth and adult sports programs and leagues, senior programs, and therapeutic recreation.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Montgomery County Recreation is seeking a passionate, patient, and highly organized individual who is dedicated to creating inclusive and impactful aquatic experiences for people with disabilities. The ideal candidate is a strong leader and compassionate communicator who thrives in a team environment and is deeply committed to accessibility, safety, and fun in aquatics.

As the Adaptive Aquatics Program Coordinator, you will be responsible for assisting in developing, organizing, and overseeing the aquatic adaptive swim programs, which includes, swim lesson and special events at all county pools (indoor and outdoor) for youth and adults with disabilities or special needs. This role engages the disability community and their families and ensures that all participants have a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience while building water safety and swimming skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement a swim lesson program tailored to individuals with physical, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
• Recruits, manages and trains and supports adapted swim instructors and volunteers.
• Coordinates water comfort/swimming assessments to determine participants’ skill levels and issue and review intake forms for specific needs.
• Collaborate with parents, caregivers, and medical professionals and trains staff to develop, implement and update appropriate swim goals and lesson plans.
• Monitor classes to ensure safety and adherence to best practice in adaptive aquatics.
• Assist Recreation Specialist that supervise swim lessons at each pool in scheduling and coordinating class times and pool usage.
• Provide in-service training for staff in adaptive aquatics methods and inclusion strategies.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including ADA guidelines.
• Promote the program through outreach and community engagement.
• Develop, plan and offer community events at the pools including coordination with Therapeutic Recreation team and their aquatics-based programming.
• Serve on the Swim Lesson Coordinator Committee
• Participate in trainings, outside committees build partnerships with other county agencies and private organizations to broaden the outreach of the department in the community.

Selected candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.

The hourly rate for this seasonal position is $24.22

• Experience: Six-thousand two hundred forty (6,240) hours (three (3) years) of relevant work experience as an instructor or supervisor in one or more specialized recreation activities.
• Education: Completion of two (2) years of college.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

LICENSE:

• Must hold current Lifeguard, CPR and First Aid certifications from the American Red Cross, YMCA, or other agency approved by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
• Must possess a valid Montgomery County Pool Operator’s License.

• Previous experience in swim instruction, preferably with individuals with special needs.
• Certification in Water Safety Instruction (WSI) and/or Adaptive Aquatics.
• Strong organizational skills, with strong interpersonal skills to quickly develop rapport with individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Comfort working with individuals with disabilities including Autism, ADHD, Developmental disabilities, physical disabilities across the lifespan.
• Patience, empathy and passion for inclusive recreation.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed.