Aquatics Director

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA Family Membership

20% Childcare Discount

Comprehensive Medical Coverage

Dental and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account

Paid Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Retirement Savings

Paid Disability Leave

Life Insurance

Optional Insurance

Pay on Demand

Professional Growth

Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Aquatics Director at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids oversees day-to-day operations, implements branch aquatic programs, and ensures a safe, engaging environment for all ages. This role requires face-to-face leadership with early mornings, evenings, and weekend responsibilities.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, scheduling classes, maintaining equipment and facilities, and ensuring compliance with safety and health requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 1–3 years of recreation or pool management experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and supervisory capabilities with good communication.
• Certifications in lifeguarding and safety are required or expected.

Responsibilities

• Administers swim lessons and aquatic programs.
• Schedules aquatic classes, programs, and staff.
• Lifeguard/Swim instruction as needed.
• Develops and promotes programs with schools, mailings, and press releases.
• Maintains payroll and staff rosters and evaluations.
• Implements preschool movement programs and character development.
• Oversees safety procedures and emergency response readiness.
• Manages department budget and fundraising efforts.
• Provides outstanding member service and participates as Manager on Duty.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Emergency response

Computer literacy

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university

Tools

American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

Lifeguard Instructor Certification

Swim Instructor Certification

AED-Oxygen Certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Aquatics Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations, implementation of the branch aquatic programs, and meeting the aquatic needs of the community. The Director will ensure a safe, fun area for children and adults to interact and enjoy. This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and involves early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program and Community Development

• Administers swim lessons and aquatic programs
• Scheduling of Aquatic classes, programs, and staff
• Lifeguard/Swim Instruction as needed
• Develops and promotes programs with local schools, mailings, and press releases
• Prepares and distributes rosters and schedules instructors
• Distributes and collects program evaluations
• Implements preschool movement programs
• Audits payroll reports
• Increases the number of participants, groups, and programs
• Implements Character Development in programs
• Administers emergency First aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Handles parent/member complaints

Human Resource Management

• Supervises Aquatic department staff
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Association’s policies and applicable laws
• Sets goals and objectives for each staff member
• Makes annual salary increment recommendations
• Fills staff vacancies in accordance with established Association policies
• Supports the Association in recruitment of diverse staff and volunteers
• Interviews, hires, and trains staff; plans, assigns, and directs work; rewards and disciplines employees; addresses staff complaints and resolves problems

Facility Management

• Maintains pool and deck equipment
• Orders and maintains pool supplies
• Maintains proper chemical stabilization
• Enforces safety standards
• Follows emergency procedures
• Ensures State of Michigan’s Department of Health requirements are met
• Maintains all areas in clean, presentable fashion
• Assists in overall branch quality and cleanliness

Fiscal Management

• Manages and monitors the department operating budget
• Manages the department annual budget development
• Monitors monthly budget and year-end forecast for all program areas
• Assists with Annual Campaign fundraising efforts

Membership Development and Retention

• Provides outstanding member service
• Registers aquatic participants
• Participates as Manager on Duty as assigned

Volunteer Development

• Recruits, trains, and rewards a diverse volunteer group
• Assists in cultivating volunteers from the membership and participant base

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

COMPENSATION

$50,200 - $62,700 ; Full Time, Salary Exempt

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities & program discounts for you and your family!
• 20% Childcare Discount – Discount is off the regular rate for each child enrolled in a YMCA childcare program, excluding the infant room.
• Comprehensive Medical Coverage – Up to 93% employer paid plan options through Blue Care Network.
• Dental and Vision Insurance – low-cost coverage options.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Receive up to $1,040 in employer contributions each year to help cover qualified medical expenses.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Beginning with 4 weeks of PTO per year, plus 9 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave - Dedicated time off to support you during the arrival or adoption of a child.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer retirement contribution, no match requirement (upon eligibility) and a 403(b) savings plan.
• Paid Disability Leave – short & long term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance – employer paid life insurance, plus voluntary coverage for the entire family.
• Optional Insurance – Customize your coverage with options like accident, hospital, pet, and legal insurance, plus more to fit your lifestyle and needs.
• Pay on Demand – Access your earned wages before payday.
• Professional Growth – Access to ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities.
• Loan Forgiveness - Eligible employees can also take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential resources and counseling for you and your family.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; one - three years of recreation, pool management, lifeguard, swim instructor, or water park experience and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required. Past supervision experience preferred. Ability to demonstrate aquatic skills. Ability to react quickly to emergency situations. Working knowledge of a computer and experience with a variety of software applications. Ability to interact with people from all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. YMCA experience preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification required
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Certification required
• Swim Instructor Certification required with 90 days of hire
• AED-Oxygen Certification
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment and 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.

• Ability to train and lead lifeguard and instructor staff.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of members, participants, and staff.
• 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 or diagram form. Must be comfortable in a family pool atmosphere.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee is regularly required to swim; occasionally while supporting up to 300 pounds. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

TRAVEL

0-5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.