Aquatics Supervisor

City of Albany; Albany (OR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Albany is seeking an Aquatics Supervisor to oversee the Albany Community Pool and COOL! Pool. You will lead lifeguards, coordinate aquatic programming, and ensure water quality and safety while building partnerships with schools, teams, and community groups.

Applicants should have a recreation/aquatics management background, supervisory experience, and required certifications; the role reports to Parks & Recreation and supports community-focused services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management, business administration, or related field.
• Four years increasingly responsible recreation/aquatics management experience with at least two years of supervisory experience.
• Licensure: Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer, WSI, Aquatic Facility Operator, Confined Space, and Oregon driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operation of Albany Community Pool and COOL! Pool.
• Recruit, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate aquatic staff including lifeguards and instructors.
• Oversee American Red Cross training programs and staff certifications.
• Monitor water quality, facilities, and maintenance; coordinate preventive repairs.
• Coordinate aquatic programming (lap swim, lessons, events) and rentals.
• Liaise with swim teams, schools, and community organizations to improve participation.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Communication

Budgeting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation/sports management/business administration

Four years relevant experience with two years supervisory experience

Job description

Aquatic Supervisor — Make a Splash!

Love pools, people, and a perfectly balanced chlorine reading? Then this might be the job for you!

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, organized, and community-minded Aquatics Supervisor to help lead the fun at Cool Pool our seasonal pool, and the Albany Community Pool, our year‑round aquatic hub.

As Aquatics Supervisor, you’ll be the captain of the pool deck—leading and supporting our lifeguarding staff, coordinating aquatic programming, overseeing maintenance and water chemistry, and making sure our pools are safe, clean, welcoming, and ready for action. You’ll also play a big role in building relationships and collaborating with local swim teams, schools, community organizations, instructors, and other partners to make the most of our aquatic spaces and create great experiences for the community.

No two days will be exactly alike. One day you might be coaching a lifeguard through a challenging situation, the next you’re working with a swim team to coordinate pool time, troubleshooting a maintenance issue, or helping launch the next great aquatic program. You’ll need to be part leader, part problem‑solver, part people‑person—and always ready to make a splash!

If you’re excited about aquatics, enjoy working with a team, and want to help create a pool environment where kids learn to swim, athletes train, families have fun, and the whole community feels welcome, we’d love to have you join our Parks & Rec team.

This position is open until filled and may close at any time after the initial review without further notice.

Position Summary

The Aquatics Supervisor performs supervisory in support of the aquatics operations for the Parks and Recreation Department. This position is responsible for supervising the day‑to‑day operations of the Albany Community Pool and the COOL! Pool and is distinguished by providing direct supervision of the aquatic staff as well as providing technical expertise for the aquatic operations of the City’s pool facilities. Responsibilities include overseeing facility operations, ensuring compliance with City and State health and safety regulations, ensuring the water quality of the pools, pool maintenance, administers aquatic programming, staff training, and running American Red Cross certification programs while promoting a safe, welcoming, and high‑quality experience for staff and patrons. Work is performed independently and requires a high level of awareness, judgement, safety consciousness, and ability to make fast and decisive decisions in emergency situations. The following duties represent the primary responsibilities of the position and are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or assignments that may be required. Employees may be assigned additional duties that are similar, related to, or a logical assignment for the classification.

• Supervises the daily operation of Albany Community Pool and COOL! Pool, ensuring safe, effective, and customer-focused services.
• Recruits, hires, trains, schedules, supervises, evaluates, coaches, and disciplines full‑time, temporary, and seasonal aquatic staff, including lifeguards, swim instructors, cashiers, and facility leads.
• Oversees American Red Cross training programs, including Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, First Aid, Water Safety Instructor, and required in‑service training to maintain staff certifications and readiness.
• Receives training on the proper handling, operation, and maintenance of the mechanical lift; demonstrates proficiency and ensures all required staff are appropriately trained in its safe handling, operation, and maintenance.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, local, and department health, safety, and risk management regulations.
• Monitors pool water chemistry, filtration systems, mechanical equipment, and facility conditions; coordinates preventative maintenance and repairs.
• Performs and oversees routine pool maintenance, water testing, chemical balancing, equipment inspections, backwash and facility safety checks.
• Coordinates and oversees aquatic programming including lap swim, recreation swim, swim lessons, fitness classes, rentals, and special events.
• Serves as the primary liaison for user groups including swim teams, schools, community organizations, and facility rentals.
• Assists with program development, marketing, and community outreach to increase participation and improve customer service.
• Monitors program participation, staffing levels, revenues, and expenditures; assists with annual budget preparation and cost recovery goals.
• Investigates accidents, incidents, and customer concerns; prepares reports and implements corrective actions as needed.
• Coordinates operations of the Monteith Riverpark Splash Pad and seasonal Waverly Paddle Boat program, including staff scheduling and safety oversight.
• Provides hands‑on operational support by performing lifeguarding, instruction, maintenance, event support, and front desk duties as necessary.
• Maintains accurate records related to certifications, inspections, maintenance, training, incidents, and program participation.
• Participates in departmental planning and collaborates with other City divisions to improve operations and customer service.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Organizational Responsibilities

Employees are expected to contribute to the effective operation of the City by providing high‑quality service; supporting a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement; and demonstrating leadership from any seat through taking ownership of one’s work, demonstrating initiative, identifying opportunities for improvement, contributing solutions, supporting colleagues, and acting in alignment with the City’s Mission, Vision, Values, and organizational priorities regardless of position or title.

Employees are responsible for complying with applicable laws, regulations, City policies, procedures, and ethical standards; appropriately protecting confidential, private, and sensitive information while supporting the City’s commitment to transparency and public accountability; exercising sound judgment; using City resources, equipment, technology and information responsibly, safely, and efficiently; maintaining regular and reliable attendance and arriving prepared and on time for work, meetings, training, and other work‑related functions; demonstrating professional conduct and appearance consistent with City expectations and the requirements of the position; operating vehicles, when applicable to the position, safely and responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures; following reasonable direction and completing assigned work in accordance with established expectations and deadlines; adapting to changing priorities; supporting organizational initiatives; and contributing to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Reports to: the Recreation Manager

Review of Work/ Supervision Received

General Direction – Receives general direction from the supervisor. Works independently within established policies, procedures and expectations and exercises judgment in planning, prioritizing and completing assignments. Guidance is provided on significant issues, changing priorities or matters involving broader organizational impact.

Supervisor – Provides direct supervision to assigned employees and is responsible for assigning and reviewing work, establishing performance expectations, supporting employee development, recruitment and selection of employees, conducting performance evaluations, addressing performance issues, responding to employee concerns and grievances in accordance with City policies, procedures and labor agreements, and supporting effective employee relations. Incumbents in this position are responsible for ensuring assigned functions are completed effectively and in alignment with City policies, procedures and expectations.

The qualifications described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Equivalent combinations of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, licences, and certifications that provide the required competencies may be considered, unless otherwise required by policy, regulation, or law.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management, business administration, or a related field and four (4) years increasingly responsible work experience in community‑based recreation or aquatics management including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. OR High school diploma or its equivalent and eight (8) years increasingly responsible work experience in community‑based recreation or aquatics management including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of or ability to obtain a Lifeguard Certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Possession of or ability to obtain a First Aid Certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Possession of or ability to obtain a CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider Certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Possession of or ability to obtain an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Possession of or ability to obtain an Aquatic Facility Operator Certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Possession of or ability to obtain a Confined Space Certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver’s license and a driving record that meets the City’s driving record standards within thirty (30) days of hire

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
• Ability to work a 40‑hour work week with the normal hours of 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency response assignments, or emergency call back situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: program implementation and management for swimming, water safety, and aquatic activities; swim and water polo teams; equipment facilities, operations, and techniques used in a community aquatic facility; professional level knowledge of the principles and techniques of aquatic facility administration and management, including knowledge of materials, methods, and techniques used in maintenance and operation of pools and other related recreation facilities, pool mechanical operation and water treatment; proper use of a mechanical lift.

Skill in: leadership; customer service; communication; delegation; scheduling multiple employees for regular and irregular work shifts; computers and technology; problem solving; handling high stress and hectic environments; organization; teaching and relaying information in an educational and constructive way.

Ability to: supervise employees; delegate responsibilities appropriately; assess and evaluate risks for employees and patrons safety and develop and implement safety procedures; mitigate risks; manage and staff a public recreational and community center; make decisions in difficult or emergency situations; often under pressure; perform in an emergency; resolve participant conflicts in a respectful way; resolve operational problems and difficulties; develop budgets; allocate resources; and analyze complex information.

Working Conditions

The work environment, physical demands, and equipment and technology described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors at the Albany Community Pool and outdoors at the COOL! Pool with the indoor environment being hot and humid and exposure to the weather and elements at the outdoor facility. Work may also be performed in an office environment under usual office working conditions. The work environment may include frequent exposure to pool chemicals, a high volume of noise, frequent interruptions, working on equipment in small spaces, frequent interaction with the public, emergency situations and tight deadlines.

Physical Demands: Work requires high level of physical ability with the ability to lift up to 60 pounds. Duties require the ability to read, interpret, and analyze detailed information and documents; communicate effectively with others; and receive and respond to verbal and written communication in person, by telephone, and through electronic means. Duties also include bending at the waist, squatting, reaching, climbing, crawling, lifting, repetitive movement, walking on both wet and dry surfaces in a hot and humid environment. Specific vision abilities also required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equipment & Technology: Uses equipment and technology necessary to perform assigned duties, including computers, mobile devices, office equipment, vehicles, specialized equipment, enterprise software, business applications, communication platforms, and other technologies appropriate to the position. Position‑specific equipment and technology may include pumps, motors, chemical controllers, and pool vacuums. Employees are expected to effectively utilize equipment, software, and technology applicable to their assigned duties, including emerging technologies approved by the City, in accordance with applicable laws, City policies, procedures, information security standards, and confidentiality requirements.