Aquatics Coordinator

YMCA; Saint Cloud, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The St Cloud YMCA is seeking an Aquatics leader to oversee indoor and outdoor pool operations, lifeguard instruction and swim programs. You will rotate weekends and support program delivery across facilities, including upcoming outdoor water park expansion.

Ideal candidates bring 2+ years supervisory aquatic experience, Lifeguard/ LGI certifications, and CPO or YMCA trainer certifications. Strong collaboration with community partners is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 2 years aquatic staff supervisory experience required.
• 2 years waterpark operations experience strongly preferred; e.g., as waterpark supervisor/manager.
• Lifeguard and LGI certification; CPO license preferred.
• YMCA program-specific and trainer certifications completion encouraged.
• Able to relate to diverse groups within the community.

Responsibilities

• Oversee indoor and outdoor pool operations when Aquatic Director not present.
• Coordinate open swim, lessons, rentals, adult swim, lap swim, teams and events.
• Grow aquatic programs and membership goals related to participation.
• Maintain records of pool chemicals and staff certifications.
• Conduct lifeguarding, swim instruction, CPR and Safety Around Water training.
• Lead and participate in staffing, scheduling, payroll, and performance reviews.

Skills

Bachelor's degree/equivalent

Supervisory experience

Waterpark operations

Lifeguard/ LGI certification

CPO license preferred

YMCA certifications

Diversity & community relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience

Tools

Lifeguard certification

LGI certification

CPO License

Job description

Exciting career opportunity for an Aquatics professional with waterpark experience, looking to make an impact and grow a long-term career. Thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds already come to the St Cloud Y for water safety education, to learn to swim, and to meet their health and wellness goals in our indoor facility. Our current operations include 8 lane lap pool, family pool, water slide and spa. This position has an exciting opportunity to grow with the organization as we break ground on our outdoor water park expansion in 2027. This position will include a weekend rotation and responsibility for operations across core program and facility use between noon-8pm.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program Management

• Assumes overall responsibility for the operation of the indoor pools, outdoor pool and whirlpool, when the Aquatic Director is not present to ensure a safe experience for all users.
• Supports the development, oversight and schedules of open pool, swim lessons, pool rentals, adult swim, lap swim, swim teams and special events.
• Expands and grows aquatic programs and membership goals as they relate to aquatic participation.
• Monitors daily pool operations to adhere to all state, local and YMCA health and safety regulations.
• Maintains accurate records of pool chemical levels and pool maintenance.
• Maintains accurate records of staff certifications.
• Conducts lifeguarding, swim instruction, CPR and Safety Around Water program instruction.
• Lifeguards or teaches classes as needed.
• Visually and auditorily observes and assesses situations within programs for safety, security and to detect adherence to policies. Communicates with and develops actions plans with participants, parents/guardians, school partners, etc. as needed.

Staff Management

• Directly carries out supervisory responsibilities alongside the Aquatics Director to effectively manage personnel in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, scheduling and directing work; auditing and appraising performance; approving and reporting payroll; conducting staff meetings; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Provides overall aquatic staff leadership and direction through ongoing coaching and development.
• Facilitates and fosters a team-based culture throughout the organization where everyone has responsibility and accountability for the success of the organization.
• Takes personal initiative to source, recruit and retain staff. Assumes an active role in creating and implementing the department and association’s recruiting outreach and retention plans.

Risk Management

• Keeps safety and risk management top of mind. Visually and auditorily monitors facility structure and program areas on a regular basis to identify areas of risk and violations of policies/procedures. Puts training and plans in place to minimize risk or address violations of policies/procedures.
• Communicates to all staff and volunteers the organization’s commitment to protect youth from abuse. Continually monitors programs for signs of abuse and responds seriously and confidentially to reports received of suspicious and inappropriate behaviors. Follows mandated reporting requirements related to abuse.
• Performs other activities and duties as needed that address the ongoing health and well-being of our staff and members, including but not limited to housekeeping, sanitation, etc. throughout all YMCA buildings and program areas.

Administrative & Other

• Assumes responsibility for a wide variety of administrative, operational, fundraising and other assigned duties that benefit the workflow and qualify of all branch programs. Provides backup support to Aquatics Director and coworkers as needed.
• Assists in the marketing, written and verbal communication, promotion and distribution of program, branch and special event information.
• Receives and carries out instructions.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance. Participates in evening/weekend and on call rotation as well as special events as required.
• Performs special projects and other related duties as needed or assigned by management.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader)

• Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.
• Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors’ communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.
• Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.
• Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models’ adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 years aquatic staff supervisory experience required.
• 2 years waterpark operations experience strongly preferred; for example, as a waterpark supervisor or waterpark operations manager.
• Lifeguard and LGI certification, CPO License preferred
• Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include: completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens, CPO License.
• Completion of YMCA program-specific and trainer certifications.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to: climb stairs, bend, stoop, push, squat, sit, crouch, walk, kneel, twist, pull, reach with hands, sit, stand for an extended period of time, run, throw, swim, walk, have finger dexterity, grasp, talk, hear, have visual acuity, vocal projection and perform repetitive motions.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
• Must be always alert, keeping safety in mind. Must possess acceptable hearing and visual capabilities in order to monitor the environment and well-being of members.
• Must be capable of working under pressure in a somewhat disruptive environment.
• May be required to sit, stand, or maintain physical activity for extended periods of time.
• Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations (depending upon the programs).
• Ability to travel locally to meetings.