Assistant Recreation Specialist - Aquatics

City of Westminster; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multilingual stipend program

Job summary

City of Westminster — assisting the Recreation Specialist in Aquatics to lead lifeguard staff, oversee safe natatorium operations, and coordinate aquatic programs. The role requires on-deck leadership, strong emergency judgment, and the ability to mentor a diverse team in a safety-focused environment.

Travel between Westminster facilities may be required. Starting salary depends on qualifications; multilingual stipend program is available to eligible employees.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• One year of lifeguard experience at a year-round public pool or two summer seasons.
• Current CPR/AED for Lifeguards, Basic First Aid, and Lifeguard Training certifications.
• Ability to obtain StarGuard Lifeguard Instructor Certification within one year and WSI within one year.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the aquatics staff and supervise lifeguard rotations.
• Oversee daily pool operations, safety rules, and emergency response.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate aquatic programs and facility usage.
• Support staff recruitment, training, and performance management.
• Maintain guest service excellence and adhere to SPIRIT values.

Skills

Lifeguard supervision

Staff training

Emergency response

Water safety

Guest service

Education

High school diploma

CPR/AED for Lifeguards

Lifeguard Training

StarGuard Lifeguard Instructor Certification

Water Safety Instructor Certification (WSI)

Tools

RecTrac

Outlook

When to Work

Job description

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT

The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job—someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Assistant Recreation Specialist – Aquatics is responsible for assisting the Recreation Specialist - Aquatics in providing day-to-day leadership of lifeguard staff, overseeing safe and efficient natatorium operations, and assisting with the coordination, supervision, and delivery of aquatic programs. This position plays a key role in staff training, emergency response, water safety, and guest service while supporting aquatics management with scheduling, programming, and administrative tasks. This position requires a strong on-deck presence, excellent judgment in emergency situations, and the ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse aquatic staff in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment. Aquatic positions are safety sensitive. Work schedules vary based on the facility schedule, closures, and programming, and are subject to change throughout the year. The position requires ability to travel and work at various facilities in Westminster as needed.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

For more information about the city and what it is like working for the city of Westminster, please visit: Employment | Westminster, CO

Opportunity Timeline

• Posting closes: Monday September 14 at 8:30AM MST
• Screening Interview: Date To be Determined
• Panel Interview: Date To be Determined
• Conditional Job Offer and Backgrounds: September - October
• Start Date: Tentatively October/November

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: Westminster’s purpose is to provide core services and foster economic resilience to give our community the opportunity to thrive. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, which enhances the quality of life for all Westminster citizens by providing diverse leisure, recreational and informational services and resources; and acquiring, developing and maintaining first-class parks, facilities, open space and recreational trails. This position works towards the accomplishment of the Departments mission: “Together we create exceptional opportunities for a vibrant community with a commitment to nature, wellness and literacy.”

Every Employee Is Accountable To

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and takes calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisionsAchieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific - Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate preventative lifeguarding and current lifeguard techniques, standards, and procedures related to rescue of drowning swimmers or any user in a distressful situation in or around the swimming pool
• Maintain StarGuard Elite Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor Certifications
• Enforce pool safety rules with staff and public
• Respond calmly and effectively, and handle emergency situations, making proper judgements as to the correct course of action
• Coordinate, develop, and implement recreational programs under supervision of the Recreation Specialist - Aquatics
• Lead the lifeguard team in daily operations and tasks
• Instruct aquatic classes of various types, including but not limited to swimming lessons, lifeguard training, and lifeguard in-services
• Support the Hydro Systems Specialist in keeping pool operations safe and functional; demonstrate basic knowledge of pool mechanical operations and chemical testing
• Operate standard office equipment such as copy machines, computers, and telephone
• Work efficiently in Microsoft One Drive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and RecTrac, and Outlook; proficient in typing
• Demonstrate knowledge of proper telephone, office, and e‑mail etiquette; communicate effectively with recreation and city team
• Work with the public effectively and establish effective working relationships with other employees
• Support the department’s guest service philosophy and the City’s SPIRIT values

Leadership/Supervisory - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Foster a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive
• Encourage employees to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do
• Demonstrate leadership and courage by making or supporting decisions that reflect the organizational mission and goals even when the decision may be unpopular to some
• Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees
• Help employees to see the value of developing their skills, and assist them in eliminating barriers to their development; encourage employees to step outside their comfort zone to develop their skills
• Assist Recreation Specialist in providing meaningful, timely employee feedback and appraisals, and effectively address employee performance problems
• Effectively supervise, mentor, and motivate in a team environment

Job Specific Functions

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks

• Leadership & Supervision
• Provide consistent leadership as a member of the aquatics management team
• Supervise, mentor, coach, and motivate lifeguards and aquatic staff
• Lead lifeguard rotations, deck coverage, staffing decisions and natatorium capacities to ensure swimmer safety
• Assist with staff recruiting, training, onboarding, evaluations, and performance management
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team environment
• Safety, Deck Management & Emergency Response
• Maintain a strong on-deck presence and oversee daily pool operations
• Enforce pool rules and safety standards firmly, courteously, and consistently
• Act as lead responder during emergencies; activate and manage Emergency Action Plans
• Monitor activities in swimming pool areas and take action to prevent drowning, injuries, or accidents
• Perform water rescues, first aid, and CPR as needed
• Complete accurate and timely incident, accident, and rescue reports
• Training & Instruction
• Lead and assist with lifeguard in-service trainings and staff meetings.
• Teach and/or support lifeguard certification courses, CPR/AED/First Aid, and swim lessons.
• Serve as a role model for proper instruction techniques and lifeguarding skills.
• Assist with instructor assignments, lesson planning, and program quality control.
• Facility & Operations Management
• Oversee opening and closing procedures and daily operational tasks.
• Conduct and document water quality testing; assist with chemical adjustments as directed.
• Support basic pool mechanical operations in collaboration with the Hydro Systems Specialist.
• Ensure cleanliness of pool, deck, offices, and equipment.
• Monitor inventory, supplies, and equipment needs
• Programming & Administration
• Assist with planning, scheduling, and coordination of aquatic programs and facility usage.
• Support staff scheduling to meet safety ratios, programming needs, and guest demand.
• Utilize RecTrac, Outlook, When to Work, and other City software for scheduling, communication, and documentation.
• Provide excellent guest service and act as an ambassador for the department.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.

Position Requirements/Working Conditions/Pre-employment Requirements

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• One (1) full year of experience as a lifeguard at a year-round public pool or two (2) summer seasons at a seasonal pool
• CPR/AED for Lifeguards certification, Basic First Aid certification, and Lifeguard Training certification
• Ability to obtain StarGuard Lifeguard Instructor Certification within one year – training provided by the City
• Ability to obtain Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification within one year – training provided by the City

Preferred

• One year of experience working in recreation/leisure services as a lead or supervisor
• Some college level courses in recreation or education or a closely related subject field

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements

Work is physical in nature and involves:

• Constant near acuity and hearing is needed to perform daily functions and communicate with patrons and staff
• Constant standing, walking on uneven terrain, pool decks, and climbing stairs in a multi-level facility to observe recreation center activity and events for safety and hazards
• Constant near and far acuity to observe program participants for possible troubled swimmers and safety hazards; constant hearing to be aware of troubled individuals that may be out of line of sight
• Frequently lifting of fifty (50) pounds from floor to waist, thirty-five (35) pounds from floor overhead; frequent carry, push, pull fifty (50) pounds of supplies, equipment, and material up to 100 feet for event set up; Occasional carrying of up to 100 pounds of equipment, supplies and materials up to ten (10) feet
• Due to the occasional use of hand tools fine motor skills along with firm grasp and frequent reaching below shoulder and overhead is needed
• Occasional lifting of ten (10) pounds from floor to overhead to move equipment and supplies; occasional lifting of up to seventy-five (75) pounds from floor to chest to assist in moving furniture, equipment and patrons on backboards
• Occasionally carry seventy-five (75) pounds up to fifty (50) feet and fifty (50) pounds up to 100 feet to perform emergency rescues;