Aquatics Director

City of Burlington, NC; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

Health and dental insurance

Enrollment in NC State Retirement/Emp

Empower 401k

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of Burlington, NC is seeking an experienced leader to oversee the Recreation and Parks Department's Aquatic Division, ensuring safe, high-quality programs across indoor and outdoor facilities.

You will plan, schedule, train staff, manage budgets, and coordinate marketing, while maintaining water quality, facility maintenance, and compliance with regulations.

This role requires strong leadership, communication, and a passion for serving the community through diverse aquatic programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Recreation or related field with management experience in aquatic settings.
• At least 2 years of experience in aquatics management or similar.
• Experience supervising and training staff in aquatic programs.
• Strong knowledge of water treatment, pool maintenance, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee year-round Aquatic Division safety, maintenance, programming, finances, staff, operations, and marketing.
• Lead program design and evaluation across the city for aquatic activities.
• Coordinate lifeguard training, learn-to-swim, water aerobics, and related classes.
• Ensure pool maintenance, water quality, and safety compliance with regulations.
• Develop and enforce safety protocols and manage staff performance.
• Engage community and lead promotional activities for aquatics.

Skills

Aquatic program management

Leadership

Safety practices

Operational proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation or related field

2+ years aquatics management experience

Job description

About us:

Burlington Aquatics offers many opportunities for the community to be involved in all types of swimming programs at our various aquatic facilities. There is a program for everyone!

Job Description

About us:

Burlington Aquatics offers many opportunities for the community to be involved in all types of swimming programs at our various aquatic facilities. There is a program for everyone!

What You Will Do

This role oversees the City of Burlington Recreation and Parks Department's year-round Aquatic Division, managing safety, maintenance, programming, finances, staff, operations, customer service, and marketing for indoor and outdoor facilities. Reporting to the Parks Superintendent, the position requires extensive planning, scheduling, and staff training. Performance is evaluated through communication, meetings, adherence to policies, and overall effectiveness.

Examples of Duties

• Aquatic Program Leadership: Designs and implements diverse aquatic programs, including instruction, recreation, and fitness, while evaluating their effectiveness.
• Citywide Aquatic Oversight: Organizes and directs comprehensive aquatic activities across the city, ensuring inclusive participation.
• Training Coordination: Manages lifeguard training, learn-to-swim programs, water aerobics, and other classes, promoting safety and skill development.
• Facility Maintenance Excellence: Oversees pool maintenance, water quality, and cleanliness; ensures chemical applications and equipment repairs meet strict safety standards.
• Safety Advocate: Develops and enforces safety protocols for all aquatic operations, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Staff Development: Supervises, hires, trains, and supports staff, offering on-the-job training, audits, and ongoing education.
• Operational Problem-Solving: Resolves work challenges, identifies needs, and ensures continuous support for smooth operations.
• Administrative Expertise: Handles administrative duties, including evaluating programs, addressing patron feedback, and improving program efficiency.
• Community Engagement: Leads promotional activities and public relations efforts to enhance visibility and participation in aquatic programs.
• Marketing Oversight: Directs marketing initiatives to promote the Aquatics Division and its offerings effectively.
• Dynamic Contributor: Performs additional duties as needed to support the division’s success.

Qualifications

Expertise in Aquatic Program Management

• Extensive knowledge of planning, organizing, and implementing aquatic programs to meet community needs.
• Well-versed in regulations governing water treatment, chemical requirements, and filtration systems for aquatic facilities.
• Skilled in maintaining swimming pool filters, mechanical systems, and ensuring proper water chemistry through safe chemical use.

Leadership and Safety Practices

• Proficient in supervision and discipline, with a strong grasp of management principles for effective staff oversight.
• Experienced in identifying and mitigating occupational hazards, ensuring safety precautions are consistently applied.
• Capable of planning, assigning, and directing employee workflows to achieve organizational goals.

Operational and Technical Proficiency

• Adept at using office equipment, computer systems, and communication tools to streamline operations.
• Skilled in evaluating and organizing staff performance to ensure program success and adherence to objectives.

Communication and Relationship Building

• Strong oral and written communication abilities for engaging with employees and the public.
• Effective at fostering positive relationships with City employees and community members to enhance program impact.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation or any other related field and considerable work experience as an aquatic staff member in a management capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
• At least 2 years of experience in aquatics management or similar.

Special Requirements

• Lifeguard Training Instructor Certification
• Water Safety Instructor Certification
• Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), OR the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment
• Certification in First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalents
• All the above certifications have to be current and unexpired.
• Valid North Carolina Driver's License

Preferred Requirements

• Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Certification
• Water Safety Instructor Trainer Certification

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Work in this class is described as medium and frequently requires physical exertion to complete tasks and move objects.
• Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• The employee is subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, oils, noise, extreme heat and vibration.
• The employee is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of duties such as when providing first aid care and facility cleaning.
• Working conditions include both inside and outside environmental conditions.

This job description in no way implies that the duties listed are the only ones the employee may be required to perform. The employee is expected to perform other tasks, duties, and training as requested by their supervisors.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Inclement Weather Classification: Non-Essential

Benefits for full-time employees of the City of Burlington (with the exception of full-time sworn police officers) are as follows:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Ability to transfer North Carolina local government earned sick leave.
• Paid holidays for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
• Enrollment in the Local Government branch of the North Carolina State Retirement System
• Enrollment in Empower 401k
• Health and dental insurance coverage for employee and children; spouses may be added to the policy if they are not offered coverage at their own place of employment
• Voluntary enrollment in a Flexible Spending Plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Other voluntary insurances and deferred compensation plans