Aquatic Recreation Specialist I

Austincc; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave & Sick Leave

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan

457 Deferred Compensation

Wellness Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Leave for Maternity/Paternity

Job summary

City of Virginia Beach seeks a Recreation Specialist I to manage aquatic programs and staff at the city’s facilities. The role includes lifeguarding, teaching swim lessons, and ensuring safe, compliant operations.

The position requires a valid lifeguard and water safety instructor certifications, plus a bachelor’s degree in recreation management or related field and a valid driver’s license. Flexible hours and weekend shifts are common.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with related recreation experience.
• Current driver’s license; CDL may be required.
• Valid lifeguard and water safety instructor certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine maintenance per OSHA and health codes.
• Lifeguard and teach swim lessons during staff shortages.
• Supervise part-time staff and volunteers; schedule and train.
• Prepare reports and program documentation.

Skills

Lifeguard certification

Swim instructor certification

Driver's license

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in recreation management or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Aquatic Facility Management and Maintenance

• Provide routine maintenance duties of an aquatic facility per OSHA, state and local health codes
• Assist with the investigation of accidents and incidents
• Enforce safety standards for programs and participants to maintain a safe environment
• Lifeguard and teach swim lessons during times of staff shortage that include the following duties: provide a safe swimming environment; enforce rules; rescue anyone in danger of drowning; and administer first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen and use of AED as needed

Supervision

• Supervise part-time staff and volunteers inclusive of the areas of orientation, scheduling, discipline, training, and evaluation in order to provide quality programs and customer satisfaction
• Train staff and volunteers in program adaptations
• Understand basic accounting, budgetary, assessment, and evaluation procedures
• Understand and apply safety principles
• Understand appropriate city, state and federal safety practices, procedures, and regulations
• Create lifeguard and instructional work schedules to provide a safe swimming environment
• Handle difficult interpersonal working relationships with employees and the public
• Provide occasional lifeguard and instructional responsibilities

Requires a current and valid Driver’s license

Reports

• Collect, complete, and assimilate reports, revenue forms, program documentation, incident and accident reports
• Experience using computer programs (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Aquatic Programming

• Assist in teaching, planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating aquatic facility-based recreation programs for youth and adults

Customer Service

• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers in both written and oral forms
• Supervise and provide feedback to part-time aquatic staff in the delivery of excellent customer service
• Respond to public inquiries regarding programs/procedures
• Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.

Schedule

Work schedules could include early morning, evening, mid-day, weekends, holidays, or split shifts. Work location may change based on operational and programming needs.

• Morning shifts of 5:30 am - 2:00 pm
• Mid-shifts of 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm or 11:00 am - 7:30 pm
• Evening shifts of 1:00 pm 9: 30 pm-
• Weekend shifts of: Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

The individual selected for this position will be housed at a primary site but may be scheduled between other park sites/facilities. Schedules will be adjusted seasonally and will vary weekly based on events, facility coverage, and weather. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours, overtime, splits shifts or maybe be relocated to another location or job assignment in response to short- term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies including weekends, evenings and holidays.

Ideal Candidate

• Valid nationally recognized lifeguarding certification that meets or exceeds the standards set by the American Red Cross. Acceptable certifications include: American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, YMCA Lifeguard Training Certification, National Lifeguard, or other nationally recognized certifications that meet equivalent standards.
• Valid nationally recognized swim instructor certification that meets or exceeds the standards set by the American Red Cross. Acceptable certifications include: American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor Certification, National Safety Council Instructor Certification, Starfish Aquatic Institute Certification, or other nationally recognized certifications that meet equivalent standards.
• NOTE: Candidates holding certifications other than American Red Cross certifications must successfully complete the required crossover certifications withing 90 days of hire.

Additional Desired Preferences

• BS Degree in related field
• Experience hiring, training and supervising aquatic personnel
• Operations and maintenance experience in an aquatic facility
• Lifeguard Instructor Certification
• CPO or AFO Certification
• Swim teaching or coaching experience

The Perks

Employees who are new to the Virginia Retirement System are eligible for:

• Annual Leave and Sick Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage
• Legal and Identity Theft Protection
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan & Basic Life Insurance
• Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (COV457)
• Basic Life Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Program / Work-Life Services
• Paid Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave

This position is being advertised as a pool, and applications could be used to fill current vacancies and any other similar Recreation Specialist I position that become available within six months from the closing date of this posting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or a related field; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as recreation leader or recreation program supervisor. May be required to have a current and valid driver’s license. May require a Commercial driver’s license.

Special Requirements

• All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work varied hours, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require incumbents to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel-toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.
• Must possess valid certifications in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Occasionally to frequently required to lifeguard during times of staff shortage. Lifeguarding duties include providing a safe swimming environment, enforcing rules, rescuing anyone in danger of drowning, administering first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen and use of AED.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and meet the current minimum program director staff qualifications as listed in the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers document published by the Department of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Must possess a national certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist - Professional level.
• Must possess a current national level Group Fitness certification from ACE, NASM, or comparable. Certification must be recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
• Must possess a current national level Personal Training certification from ACSM, ACE, NASM, or comparable. Certification must be recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Skills

Working Conditions

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P3819.pdf

VRS Contribution

All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace

The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.