Aquatics Manager

Jellis; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Management incentive plan

Health and wellness package

Job summary

Noah’s Ark Water Park seeks an Aquatics Manager to oversee all aquatic and first-aid operations. The role collaborates with Facilities to ensure daily efficiency and reports to the Operations Director. Strong leadership, safety and guest service are essential.

Ideal candidates hold CPO/EMT credentials, with supervisory experience in a park or similar setting, and readiness to obtain required certifications within timelines. This role offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• 3-5 years of operations experience, preferably aquatic-based.
• 2+ years in a supervisory capacity.
• Must hold or be willing to obtain CPO and/or related certifications.
• Must hold EMT certification or acquire within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Aquatics and First-Aid departments and related areas.
• Lead by example and mentor assigned team members.
• Manage departmental budgets and identify revenue/cost savings opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and safety standards; maintain safe environment.
• Hire, onboard, train, and coach staff; conduct performance reviews and discipline as needed.
• Backfill aquatic and lifeguard roles as necessary.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Service

Safety Compliance

Budget Management

Education

High School diploma

Bachelor's degree in Business

Tools

CPO Certification

EMT Certification

Ellis Lifeguard Instructor

Job description

Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain cave—and chose to share it with the world. Today, Herschend is the largest family-held themed attractions company, with over 40 leading attractions and immersive experiences that reach audiences worldwide. While each brand offers something unique,all are united by a shared purpose: Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. Our passionate hosts make this purpose possible through everyday acts of love and service—what we call Heartspitality®—the intersection of heart and hospitality. As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to provide environments where every host, guest, and partner feel welcome, valued, and loved. We firmly believe that words and actions matter, which is why all individuals are to be treated equally and with respect.

The Aquatics Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Aquatics and First-Aid departments. This position will work directly with the Facilities Manager to ensure all operations aspects of Noah’s Ark are working effectively and efficiently on a daily basis. This position will report directly to the Operations Director.

Supervisory Duties:

• Manage all aspects of the Aquatics and First-Aid departments and any other assigned areas
• Lead by example, attitude, and as a representation of Noah’s Ark core values
• Act as an approachable mentor and coach to all assigned team members
• Manage and control all financial aspects of assigned departments while maximizing revenue and cost savings opportunities; maintain constant vigilance over departmental spending and budgets
• Act as a strategic visionary to implement measures that will favorably impact process, people, and/or profit
• Ensure compliance with company and industry best practices, policies, and procedures to create a safe and productive environment for colleagues and guests.
• Become knowledgeable of performing the essential duties of all aquatics and lifeguarding positions and backfill these positions when needed
• Participate in all aspects of supervision of assigned employees, including hiring, orientation, training, performance coaching, and discipline
• Ensure that all required meal and other breaks are being given in accordance with Wisconsin labor laws
• Ensure daily sign-in sheets are completed and submitted each day
• Ensure team scheduling and timekeeping activities are completed

Departmental Duties:

• Delight all guests by quickly and expertly providing courteous assistance to address their questions or concerns
• Perform thorough departmental audits to ensure that the Aquatics operation is exceeding expectations and maintaining constant compliance with all Ellis & Associates standards
• Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), state regulations, and industry standards
• Provide intense focus on quality, sanitation and safety, while maintaining areas at inspection-readiness at all times.
• Maintain constant vigilance and proactively identify potential hazards; inform Park leadership and/or maintenance team of any such situations in a timely manner
• Provide bathroom breaks for all team members, as needed
• Render first-aid (within scope of knowledge) to injured guests or team members
• Handle operation-related guest concerns and assist with lost children
• Escalate major guest concerns to management or maintenance team in a timely manner
• Ensure that all Park areas are clean and free of hazards, prior to daily opening
• React in a calm and professional manner during emergency situations
• Assist with crowd control in emergency situations

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent
• College degree in Business Management, Hospitality, or related discipline desired; Equivalent work experience will also be considered
• 3-5 years of operations-based experience, preferably in an Aquatics-based setting of an amusement park, theme park, or waterpark industry
• 2+ years in a supervisory capacity
• Must hold or be willing to quickly obtain any Certified Pool Operator (CPO) credentials and/or any other required certifications, training or licenses that are mandated by federal, state or local laws
• Must possess a valid EMT certification for the state of Wisconsin or be willing to acquire within 1 year of start date.
• Must hold or be willing to quickly obtain the Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor certification within 6 months of employment
• Must successfully complete the Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Training Program within 6 months of employment

Language:

Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age to comply with Wisconsin Child Labor Laws
• Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to frequently work hours that extend beyond 9 AM to 5 PM during the operating season(Mid-April to end of September)
• Ability to travel (up to 10% travel) to obtain required Ellis & Associates certifications or to visit other park locations
• Must be willing and able to work with a vastly diverse staff of lifeguards, including both American and International students
• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform all swim tests, water rescues, and assistsin compliance with Ellis & Associates standards
• Ability to comply with all uniform policies
• Must possess safety-oriented mindset and understand the importance of complying with all Federal, State, and local regulations regarding aquatics safety standards
• Ability to take control of emergency and intense situations while remaining calm
• Ability to manage crowd control during emergency situations
• Must be guest-focused and address their issues and questions in a friendly, professional manner
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to swim 200 yards using front crawl/freestyle or breaststroke
• Ability to retrieve a 10-pound brick from at least 11 feet of water
• Ability to tread water for 2 minutes without the use of hands
• Ability to remain sedentary for extended periods of time, while using a computer
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to swim, wade, and stand (sometimes in moderate currents)
• Ability to frequently kneel, stoop, bend, squat, twist or reach above shoulder-level
• Ability to use hands to grasp, finger, handle, or feel
• Ability to carry, push, pull, lift, and hold objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to aid and physically move guests of varying heights and weights

Vision Requirements:

• Must possess 20/25 correct vision (corrective lens, if required, must be worn while on duty)
• Specific vision abilities are required for this job, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to see differences between colors and brightness
• Ability to see details of objects that are more than a few feet away

Working Conditions:

• This role will be based in both an office setting as well as outdoor Park environment
• Subject to frequent interruptions and requests that may require reprioritization of activities
• Frequent exposure to variable outside (or indoor) temperatures, including high heat, direct sun, cold, humidity, dust, rain, and other weather conditions
• Regularly subjected to water and pool chemicals
• Competitive compensation
• Management Incentive Plan
• Comprehensive health and wellness package