Aquatics Lead

Minot Family YMCA; Minot (ND); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Minot Family YMCA seeks an Aquatics Supervisor to assist the Aquatics Director in daily management and operations, leading staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality member services and programs.

You will coordinate group and private swim lessons, schedule instructors, and maintain lesson records while communicating with participants, parents, and the director. A strong lifeguard and teaching background is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred but not required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Minimum of one year of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience as both a certified lifeguard and swim instructor preferred.
• Current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications required or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• YMCA Swim Instructor certification or equivalent certification required or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Strong swimming ability and demonstrated proficiency in lifeguarding and swim instruction.
• Ability to demonstrate certification-level skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, customer service, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Basic computer skills and experience with standard business software preferred.
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.
• Ability to relate effectively to people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels.
• Working knowledge of YMCA policies, emergency procedures, and aquatics operations or ability to acquire within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Aquatics Director in the daily management and operation of the Aquatics Department.
• Lead staff and volunteers, ensuring high-quality member service and program delivery.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, evaluate, and schedule Aquatics staff and volunteers.
• Ensure adequate staffing for lifeguard stations and aquatic programs by arranging coverage.
• Plan and conduct staff in-services, safety audits, and professional development for lifeguards and instructors.
• Develop and maintain internal aquatics communications, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise staff and enforce YMCA policies and safety standards.
• In the absence of the Aquatics Director, supervise all aquatics operations and staff.
• Coordinate daily operations of group and private swim lessons.
• Schedule instructors based on availability, certifications, and participant needs.
• Maintain attendance, progress reports, and required documentation.
• Communicate with participants, parents, instructors, and director on schedules and concerns.
• Evaluate swim lesson quality and provide coaching to instructors.
• Teach group and private lessons per YMCA standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Lifeguard CPR/AED

First Aid certification

YMCA Swim Instructor certification

Job description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Leadership & Operations

• Assist the Aquatics Director in the daily management and operation of the Aquatics Department.
• Serve as the lead staff member for Aquatics employees and volunteers, promoting consistent, high-quality member service and program delivery.
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, evaluating, scheduling, and developing Aquatics staff and volunteers.
• Ensure adequate staffing for lifeguard stations, group swim lessons, private lessons, and other aquatic programs by arranging coverage and filling shifts when necessary.
• Assist in planning and conducting staff in-services, safety audits, and ongoing professional development for lifeguards and swim instructors.
• Develop and maintain internal communication related to Aquatics operations, schedules, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in supervising Aquatics staff and enforcing YMCA policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• In the absence of the Aquatics Director, supervise all Aquatics operations and staff.

Swim Lesson Program Administration

• Coordinate the daily operations of group and private swim lesson programs.
• Schedule swim instructors based on availability, certifications, experience, and participant needs.
• Maintain accurate swim lesson attendance, participant progress reports, evaluations, and required program documentation.
• Communicate with participants, parents, instructors, Member Services, and the Aquatics Director regarding swim lesson schedules, changes, concerns, and participant progress.
• Evaluate swim lesson quality and provide coaching and feedback to instructors.
• Teach group and private swim lessons as needed in accordance with YMCA standards and curriculum.

Lifeguard & Aquatic Operations

• Maintain active surveillance of the pool and surrounding aquatic areas.
• Perform preventative lifeguarding and respond appropriately to emergencies in accordance with YMCA and certification standards.
• Conduct routine safety inspections of pools, decks, equipment, and surrounding areas.
• Perform equipment inspections and ensure rescue equipment and teaching supplies are available, clean, and in proper working condition.
• Perform water chemistry testing and take appropriate corrective action as required.
• Maintain accurate records required by the YMCA and applicable health department regulations.
• Actively lifeguard as needed to maintain safe staffing levels.

Member Experience

• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for members, participants, volunteers, and guests.
• Build positive relationships with members and families by learning names, answering questions, and connecting individuals to YMCA programs and services.
• Respond promptly and professionally to member concerns, resolving issues whenever possible and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Share information regarding aquatics programs, swim lessons, certifications, and YMCA opportunities using available resources.

Facility Maintenance & Safety

• Assist with routine maintenance and housekeeping, including sweeping, mopping, laundry, equipment organization, and maintaining cleanliness throughout aquatic areas.
• Report maintenance concerns, damaged equipment, or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Maintain working knowledge of YMCA emergency procedures and serve as the lead responder for aquatic emergencies.
• Ensure aquatic areas remain safe, clean, organized, and fully operational throughout each shift.

General Responsibilities

• Stay current with YMCA standards, aquatic industry trends, lifeguarding practices, and swim lesson best practices.
• Support YMCA fundraising efforts, special events, certifications, and community outreach as assigned.
• Assist other departments and perform additional duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement : Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.

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 tailor’s communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

Operational Effectiveness : Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. 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

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred but not required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Minimum of one year of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience as both a certified lifeguard and swim instructor preferred.
• Current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications required or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• YMCA Swim Instructor certification or equivalent swim instructor certification required or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Strong swimming ability and demonstrated proficiency in lifeguarding and swim instruction.
• Ability to demonstrate certification-level skills in accordance with YMCA and/or American Red Cross standards.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, customer service, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Basic computer skills and experience with standard business software preferred.
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.
• Ability to relate effectively to people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels.
• Working knowledge of YMCA policies, emergency procedures, and aquatics operations or ability to acquire within 30 days of employment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, climb, balance, kneel, crouch, reach, and use hands.
• Must be able to lift and move at least 50 pounds and perform all physical requirements necessary for emergency water rescues.
• Must be able to demonstrate and teach swim strokes and aquatic skills.
• Ability to remain in chlorinated water for extended periods (up to three hours).
• Ability to work with children and adults of varying abilities, including individuals with disabilities.
• Frequently exposed to wet, humid, and warm environments.
• Must possess visual acuity sufficient to monitor all assigned aquatic areas and identify emergency situations.
• Must possess hearing sufficient to recognize distress signals in and around the aquatic environment.
• Must remain alert and attentive without lapses in concentration while supervising aquatic areas.