Aquatics Coordinator

Colorado Mesa University; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Colorado Mesa University is seeking an Aquatics Coordinator to oversee the El Pomar Natatorium, supervise student workers, and coordinate lifeguard scheduling and swim meets. The role ensures safety, facility upkeep, and efficient operations across athletics and campus programs.

The ideal candidate will bring at least three years of aquatic experience, a related bachelor's degree, and certifications such as CPO and CPR/First Aid.

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of pool operations, maintenance, and safety protocols.
• Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and managing aquatic facilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, students, and external contractors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of El Pomar Natatorium and supervise student workers.
• Schedule lifeguards, coordinate swim meets, and ensure safety policies are followed.
• Coordinate maintenance with CMU facilities and external contractors; monitor pump room operations.

Skills

Aquatic operations management

Team leadership

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelor’s degree in facility management or related field

Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certification

CPR and First Aid Certification

Job description

ANNOUNCMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

FLSA Status: United States of America (Exempt)

Compensation: $35,000 Commensurate with education and experience.

Excellent health and retirement benefits package:

SECTION I - OUR VALUES

CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It's this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea. From this place of humility and courage, we've built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement. Inspired by the soul of the West the spirit that our region embodies, we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values

• Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
• Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
• Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
• Humility - Suspending one's ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
• Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
• Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
• Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II - THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the 'right seats' in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats. The Aquatics Coordinator manages the daily operations of the El Pomar Natatorium within the Hamilton Recreation Center. This role is responsible for scheduling lifeguards, managing swim competitions, and supporting the maintenance and operation of the facility, including pump room functions and coordination with various campus departments and external vendors. The Coordinator ensures the efficient operation of the pool, safety of users, and ongoing collaboration with Athletics, Kinesiology, and other university programs.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS

• Team Oversight: Manages all student-workers.
• Decision-Making: Coordinates schedules and facility use, establishes policies for lifeguards and safety, manages maintenance and repairs, and maintains facility appearance.
• Financial Management: Works with the Director of Aquatics on budgeting for the pool area.
• Accountability to Results: Strategic Outcomes: Ensure efficient operations and maintenance of the pool facilities, including managing swim meets, events, and scheduling. Success is measured by smooth facility operations, excellent appearance of the natatorium area, user satisfaction, and compliance with safety regulations.
• Project Results: Work with CMU facilities and external contractors to execute maintenance tasks for the pool, including repairs, chemical management, and equipment upkeep. Measured by on-time project completion and minimal facility downtime. Maintain facility appearance at a level consistent with other athletic facilities.
• 90-Day Rocks: Focus on initiatives like improving lifeguard training, coordinating event logistics, creating a facility cleaning plan, and completing necessary pool repairs. Results measured through project milestones and facility readiness. Results are measured by completion of tasks as outlined.
• Core Processes Owned: Daily Operations of El Pomar Natatorium, Lifeguard Scheduling and Safety Procedures, Swim Meet/Event Coordination and Setup, Management of facility and equipment upkeep and replacement schedule, Contributor: Maintenance of Pool and Pump Room Equipment, Collaboration with Athletics, Kinesiology, and Outdoor Programs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER

This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.

SECTION III - OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a 'Right Fit' in our seats. We define 'Right Fit' as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

Capacity Requirements

• Knowledge and Skills: Thorough understanding of pool operations, maintenance, and safety protocols. Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and managing aquatic facilities.
• Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Communication: The ability to communicate effectively with various user groups, including students, athletes, faculty, and external contractors.
• Heart Capacity: The ideal candidate should be committed to providing a safe, enjoyable experience for all patrons, with strong attention to detail and safety.
• Effort and Hours: This role requires flexibility in working hours, including evenings and weekends for swim meets and special events. Swim meets include, but not limited to CMU Varsity Swim Meets, RMAC (hosted) Swim Meet, D51 Swim Meets, and Maverick Aquatic Swim Meets.
• Capacity for Leadership: The candidate should be able to manage a team of lifeguards, oversee pool operations, and ensure the facility is maintained to the highest standards.

Essential Experience for Right Fit

• Experience: Minimum of three years of aquatic experience, preferably in a university setting. Demonstrated experience with managing pool facilities, including knowledge of pump room operations and safety procedures.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required in facility management, sports management, or a related field.
• Desired Expertise: Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certification, CPR and First Aid Certification, and experience working with diverse user groups.
• Preferred Experience: There is an opportunity for this role to assist on staff with the Colorado Mesa Varsity Swim Team. Swim coaching experience, especially at the collegiate level, is preferred.

Language Skills Communication

• Ability to effectively communicate with staff, students, and external contractors regarding pool operations and safety. Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary for safety protocols and policy implementation.
• The language skills include: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general written materials, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports and prepare and conduct verbal and visual presentation of materials. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from top management, public groups, and board of directors.

Reasoning Ability Problem Solving

• Ability to troubleshoot and repair minor pool equipment issues and work with contractors for more extensive repairs. Must be able to make data-driven decisions related to pool safety and operations.

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to plan and coordinate long-term maintenance schedules and ensure that the pool facility meets the needs of all user groups.
• Strategic and analytical reasoning skills are necessary.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, and communication. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Evening and weekend hours are required for special events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment includes a pool deck, with moderate to loud noise levels depending on events and usage. The environment may involve frequent disruptions, and the employee must adapt to changing needs throughout the day.

NOTICE

This position will remain open until filled. Applications received by 9/1 will receive priority consideration, and applications received after that date will be reviewed on a weekly basis until the position is filled.

OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENTS

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility.

Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.

UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings.

Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.

At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions.

CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life.

Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.

The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it.

CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument.

We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that is less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing.

Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.