Assistant Director, Aquatics

University of Dayton; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in higher education is seeking a passionate professional to lead its aquatics program. This role involves developing and managing diverse aquatic programs, ensuring safety and compliance, and fostering a collaborative environment for both staff and students. The successful candidate will play a key role in promoting health and wellbeing while contributing to the growth of the campus recreation community. If you are enthusiastic about aquatics and higher education, this is an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives and the campus community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 2 years in aquatic facility operations.
• Lifeguard Instructor and CPR certifications needed within 3 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage comprehensive aquatics programs and staff.
• Ensure compliance with health regulations and safety protocols.
• Oversee budget and fiscal operations for aquatics.

Skills

Aquatic Programming

Risk Management

Staff Supervision

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (Preferred)

Tools

Aquatic Facility Management Software

Job description

Apply now Job No: 502652
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: University Staff
Department: Campus Recreation - 700800
Pay Grade: A - Exempt
Advertised: March 10, 2025
Applications close: Open until filled

Position Summary:

If you love aquatics and the energy of working in higher education we would be excited to hear from you. Join a progressive team of Collegiate Recreation professionals in a department where the growth and development of our professional and student team parallel our passion for serving the campus community. Apply today!

The University of Dayton, Campus Recreation seeks a self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive professional to develop, deliver and lead a comprehensive aquatics program, provide staff oversight and development, and manage daily operations within the RecPlex Aquatic Center, consisting of a lap pool, diving well, vortex, and spa. The successful candidate will be responsible for program development, management, and assessment of new and existing programs including adult and children’s learn to swim classes, informal and aquatic fitness programming, and lifeguard/CPRO certification courses, as well as ensuring daily pool operation in accordance with state regulations and industry best practices. This position has responsibility for the oversight of risk management protocols, practices and training, as well as provision of leadership and direction in the planning and execution of the department’s safety team. Further, the assistant director, aquatics is expected to utilize holistic wellbeing and leadership to positively impact University of Dayton students in an environment that embodies Catholic Marianist values, is primarily residential, and encompasses traditional age students.

Responsibilities:

1. Aquatic Programming: Create and manage revenue generating aquatic programs such as learn to swim classes. Plan, implement, and lead non-credit certification courses. Assess program effectiveness through customer interest, participation statistics, satisfaction surveys, accomplishment of learning outcomes, and employee feedback. Modify the program dependent upon the needs of the University community, industry trends and best practices. Develop, interpret, review and enforce policies and procedures related to Aquatic Center usage and swim instruction. Prepare participation reports. Implement strategies that promote use of the Aquatic Center and participation in various programs.
2. Facility Management: Administer the daily operation of the pool. Maintain records and reports of the daily evaluation of water and required equipment, to include: water clarity reports, water chemistry tests and maintenance schedules, equipment status, safety inspections and cleaning schedules. Work with pool vendors, the associate director, and UD Facilities Management to ensure high quality operation and maintenance of the aquatic facility, to include any projects or renovations. Create and implement a preventative maintenance schedule. Ensure compliance with all state health regulations and the national standards of aquatic facilities operations.
3. Personnel: Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate all lifeguards, swimming instructors, safety course instructors, and program staff. Develop job responsibilities and expectations for each employee and provide the supervision to ensure employees are knowledgeable about equipment use, policies and procedures, and safety requirements. Monitor and submit all payroll reports for these employees. Develop and implement monthly in-service trainings for employees, actively incorporating departmental mission, vision, foundational pillars, and annual educational emphasis. Maintain employee manuals.
4. Risk Management: Contribute to the ongoing evaluation, development and facilitation of the department’s comprehensive risk management plan, safety training, and Emergency Action Plan. Coordinate the CPRO/First Aid/AED/Blood Borne Pathogen training for all Campus Recreation staff members. Maintain a full knowledge of current risk management standards and practices in aquatic operation and programming. Assist the associate director in monitoring policies and procedures to provide for safe operation of facilities and programs. Plan and conduct safety training for employees. Ensure that all risk management and liability expectations are being met with specific regard to outside groups and minors. Maintain a historical database and records per established guidelines. Develop and implement the department wide safety audit program. Maintain the stock of first-aid supply for the department.
5. Fiscal Operations: Develop, oversee, and administer the budget for aquatics. Coordinate all equipment purchase, maintenance, and inventory related to the aquatic operation. Conduct regular analysis of market conditions in order to recommend an operational budget for the various program areas and program rate structures. Maintain financial records of revenues and expenses, ensuring budgetary control.
6. Related Duties: Be involved with and make meaningful contributions to departmental, divisional, and institutional initiatives, as well as within professional organizations. Actively participate in student development activities on campus by serving as a volunteer, mentor, committee member and/or participant. Actively work with other campus departments in student persistence and retention efforts. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidate must currently have a bachelor’s degree;
• 2 years of direct and progressive responsibility in operation of an aquatic facility, collegiate or municipal, including operations of pool equipment, programming and staff supervision;
• Working knowledge of current risk mitigation standards and practices in aquatic operation and programming;
• Success in working collaboratively with various constituents;
• Current Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) and CPR/First Aid Instructor certifications or have obtained the certifications within 3 months of hire;
• Articulated passion for promoting health and wellbeing;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to periodically work on evenings, weekends, occasional holidays, and provide service in an on call basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Recreation Administration, Sports Management, Business Administration, Education, Health Promotion, Higher Education or related field;
• Current certification as a Lifeguard Instructor Trainer (LGIT), Water Safety Instructor Trainer (WSIT), and Certified Pool Operator (CPO);
• Knowledge of state health regulations and/or national standards of aquatic facilities operations;
• Progressive responsibility in, and knowledge of, planning, production, and management of aquatic programming with the ability to formulate new, creative ideas;
• Experience within a collegiate recreation setting, with an emphasis on student development, to include supervisory experience of students;
• Proven success working with a range of culturally and ethnically diverse populations, and evidence of commitment to fostering a collaborative multicultural environment;
• Demonstrated integrity, dependability, and sound judgment, while being able to lead and work within a team environment;
• Direct experience with administering a budget;
• Demonstrated analytical skills to identify problems, assess alternatives, and render consistent, logical decisions;
• Ability to thrive in a student service environment that values high expectations, accountability, leadership, and balanced lifestyles, while possessing exceptional verbal communication skills, enthusiasm, positive attitude, and be a self-starter with the ability to instill the same in others.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.