Community Programs Coordinator - Aquatics and Recreation

Cuesta; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Cuesta College is seeking a Community Programs Coordinator for Aquatics and Recreation to develop, manage, and improve programs serving adults and youth across San Luis Obispo County. The role includes curriculum design, staff recruitment, registration support, and coordination with campus services and community partners.

You will train lifeguards and instructors, ensure safety compliance, manage budgets, and promote programs through targeted outreach.

Qualifications

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience planning, developing and overseeing recreation or aquatics programs, including working with the community and supervising staff.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, including CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid (may obtain within the first 6 months)
• Title 22 certificate (may obtain within the first 6 months)
• Lifeguard Management Certificate (may obtain within the first 6 months)

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operation of the Community Aquatics and Recreation programs, classes, and special events for adults and youth.
• Administer the aquatics and recreation programs, including curriculum design, teacher recruitment, registration, customer service, pricing, room/facility assignments, course/event logistics.
• Recruit, interview, and recommend selection of lifeguards, swim instructors, aqua-fitness instructors, program aides, and other recreation staff.
• Ensure quality control, including needs assessments, training and evaluation of program staff.
• Oversee program finances and budgeting.

Skills

Staff supervision

Curriculum design

Event coordination

Customer service

Marketing

Lifeguard training

First Aid/CPR

Public speaking

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Aquatics certification

Tools

Facility management software

Job description

The hours for this position will be Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with one hour lunch break.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision of an assigned manager, develop, administer and implement assigned components of the department’s fee-based aquatics and recreation programs and services, and other activities and programs as assigned. Includes program administration, marketing and promotions, staff selection, training, and supervision; working with the community, businesses, and college employees.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Community Programs Coordinator, Aquatics and Recreation position is distinguished by the requirement to plan, develop, organize, and implement aquatics and recreation activities and services. The position supports student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by providing instruction, assistance and safety to children and adults in pool and recreation activities, such as fitness, swimming and recreation, and other Community Programs activities and programs as assigned.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

• Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
• The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
• Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
• We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate with the Director and/or Supervisor to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Community Aquatics and Recreation programs, classes, and special events for adults and youth;
• Administer the aquatics and recreation programs, including curriculum design, teacher recruitment, registration, customer service, pricing, room/facility assignments, course/event logistics;
• Recruit, interview, and recommend selection of lifeguards, swim instructors, aqua-fitness instructors, program aides, and other recreation staff;
• Ensure quality control, including needs assessments, training and evaluation of program staff;
• Serve as liaison to all users of the pool including, but not limited to, Facilities Services, Athletics and Kinesiology, and community entities seeking to rent the facility;
• Monitor compliance of industry and American Red Cross standards; enforce and explain rules and regulations; and ensure safety precautions are observed;
• Train and recertify lifeguards and swim instructors;
• Ensure certification documentation and review;
• Schedule, develop, and present staff in-service trainings;
• Provide oversight to ensure safe conditions and operations at the pool for Community Programs aquatics and community pool use, including lifeguard coverage;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships both on campus and off campus;
• Provide lifeguard services and maintain order in the pool;
• Rescue persons in distress;
• Serve as liaison to the American Red Cross keeping up to date with regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Teach swimming at various aquatics proficiency levels;
• Oversee program finances and budgeting;
• Develop informational and promotional presentations, materials, and speeches, including the department’s brochure;
• Develop financial analysis and program effectiveness reports;
• Complete program and activity assessment and assist in the completion of the annual Institutional Program Planning and Review process;
• Coordinate other Community Programs activities and programs as assigned.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Duties may require the ability to:

• See for the purpose of reading laws and codes, rules and policies, and other printed matter;
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Speak so that others will be able to understand a normal in-person and telephone conversation;
• Lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Lift victim from water with assistance and lift aquatics equipment and supplies with or without assistance (approximately 30-200 lbs.)
• Manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Preferred

• Associate degree or equivalent, including or supplemented by Recreation, Education or Public Administration courses.

Experience:

Required

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience planning, developing and overseeing recreation or aquatics programs, including working with the community and supervising staff.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, including CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid (may obtain within the first 6 months);
• Title 22 certificate (may obtain within the first 6 months);
• Lifeguard Management Certificate (may obtain within the first 6 months)

Desired:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor;
• Community First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor;
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) or equivalent
• Aquatic Facility Operator and/or Certified Facility Operator
• Experience in aquatic management;
• Supervisory experience;
• College level course work in recreation or related field.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of:

• Pool operations;
• Swimming and teaching six basic strokes;
• Knowledge of principles relating to aquatic activities;

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Promote positive relationships in the community;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities;

Physical ability to:

• Withstand exposure to sun and chlorinated water for up to 8 hours per day;
• Lift victim from water with assistance and lift aquatics equipment and supplies with or without assistance (approximately 30-200 lbs.);
• Assist with pool covers;
• Lift and move up to 50 lbs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview on Thursday, January 21, 2026.