Director of Aquatics

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York, Parks & Recreation, seeks an Administrative Community Relations Specialist to lead aquatics programming citywide. Under the Deputy Chief of Recreation and Assistant Commissioner, you will guide staff, develop and implement innovative programs, and build partnerships to serve New Yorkers of all ages.

Responsibilities include event planning, staff development, grant applications, marketing materials, and overseeing program records, with a focus on safety and quality across

Qualifications

• Degree and relevant experience as per civil service requirements; see minimum qualifications.
• Four years of community liaison/relations experience with two years in administrative or policy-making roles.
• Alternative combinations with high school diploma and additional experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Develop aquatics programs under Deputy Chief of Recreation and Assistant Commissioner.
• Lead Citywide Aquatics staff and provide strategic direction.
• Create, implement and evaluate innovative aquatics programs for New Yorkers.
• Plan citywide events such as swim meets and Lap Swim Awards.
• Oversee staff recruitment, hiring, onboarding and training.
• Identify partnerships and pursue grants and funding opportunities.
• Monitor attendance, reports, timesheets and expenditures; ensure high standards.
• Collaborate with senior management on agency priorities and performance metrics.
• Prepare marketing, publicity and grant materials; manage a division fleet.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff management

Program development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

*ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT FULL-TIME ANNUALLY PAID PARKS EMPLOYEES*

*This vacancy is only open to 1) current permanent Parks employees serving in the Administrative Community Relations Specialist civil service title or 2) on leave from the title or 3) permanent Parks employees in or on leave from a comparable title (e.g. Administrative Staff Analyst or Administrative Manager) or 4) Parks employees who are reachable on the Administrative Community Relations Specialist civil service list or a comparable civil service list or qualify for a comparable title. [Please indicate the exam title, the exam number, and your list number or comparable title on your resume.]*

Major Responsibilities

• Under general direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and decision, work closely with an assigned Deputy Chief of Recreation under the supervision and guidance of the Assistant Commissioner for Public Programs in the development of aquatics programs.
• Manage and direct the Citywide Aquatics staff, providing leadership and guidance.
• Provide dynamic leadership for the creation, development and implementation of innovative aquatics programs for New Yorkers of all ages including at Parks partner sites.
• Plan and implement citywide special events such as swim meets and the Lap Swim Awards.
• Perform in-depth analysis and give oversight into the development of programming and daily operations.
• Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, onboarding and training of staff.
• Develop on-going staff development training and opportunities for all staff delivering programs. Research trends, approaches and new strategies in aquatics development and program delivery, keeping Parks on the cutting-edge of quality, free and safe programming for all New Yorkers.
• Develop new partnerships and serve as a liaison to other city agencies and organizations. Identify and pursue grant opportunities for additional funding and support.
• Oversee the monitoring of program records such as attendance data, weekly reports, timesheets and expenditures. Ensure high program standards via site visits, audits, feedback and interviews.
• Work with senior management to implement Agency strategic priorities and division initiatives, including development and implementation of performance metrics including those related to the Swim Safety Expansion.
• Prepare marketing, publicity and fundraising materials such as brochures, annual reports, flyers and grant applications.
• Manage a small fleet assigned to the division.

Work Location: TBD

*Current Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.

NOTE: All resumes must be received no later than the last day of the posting period. References will be required upon request. Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee between $40.00 to $101.00 based on the salary range of title. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $107.50 background check fee.

nyc.gov/parks

MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U. S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and four years of satisfactory, full-time community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibility for planning, organizing, coordinating, developing, evaluating and/or administering a large community service program or activity; or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and eight years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibilities as described in "1" above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Undergraduate education above the high school level may be substituted for the community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, but not for the two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience described in "1" above, at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university (as described above) for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 4 years. Graduate education beyond the baccalaureate degree may be substituted for the community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, but not for the two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience described in "1" above, on the basis of 30 graduate credits from an accredited college or university (as described above) for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 2 years. However, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational
equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and two years of full-time experience in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibilities as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience in the aquatics field.
• Aquatics Facility Operator Certification (AFO).
• First Aid and CPR/AED certifications.
• Excellent communication, customer service and organization skills.
• Valid New York State driver licence.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

ADMIN COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPEC - 1002F