District Aquatic Director

YMCA of the USA; Crown Point (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of the USA seeks a high-impact Aquatics Director to lead operations across multiple YMCA branches. You will coach staff, conduct safety audits, and ensure exceptional, safe programs that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Responsibilities include recruiting and developing aquatic staff, teaching lifeguard and CPR courses, managing certifications, auditing environments, and collaborating with branch leadership to drive program growth and operational

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Youth Development, Teaching, Psychology, Sports Management, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of aquatic leadership experience including lifeguarding and swim lesson experience.
• Current Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, and Swim Instructor Trainer certifications, or the ability to obtain them.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supervising and developing employees.
• Ability to travel regularly between YMCA branches.

Responsibilities

• Lead aquatic operations across assigned YMCA branches.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA standards for safety, risk management, program quality, and staff certifications.
• Supervise, coach, and develop aquatic leadership staff while building high-performing teams.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and retain exceptional aquatic staff.
• Teach Lifeguard, CPR, and other required certification courses.
• Conduct environmental safety audits, aquatic safety audits, and program quality reviews.
• Support aquatic program development, innovation, and continuous improvement to meet community needs.
• Assist with department budgets, resource allocation, and operational planning.
• Partner with branch leadership to ensure adequate staffing and operational coverage across locations.
• Serve as the association's subject matter expert for aquatic operations and programming.
• Complete required administrative tasks, documentation, and reporting accurately and on time.
• Participate in association leadership teams, strategic initiatives, and organizational projects.
• Respond to emergencies and support a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Safety audits

Staff development

Budgeting

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Lifeguard certifications

Lifeguard Instructor certifications

Swim Instructor Trainer certifications

CPO certification

Job description

Lead with purpose to build strong aquatic teams, deliver safe, exceptional programs, and strengthen communities across YMCA branches daily.

Job Description

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for the success of aquatic operations across multiple YMCA branches. You\'ll lead aquatic leadership teams, oversee daily operations, and support strategies that strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This role is hands-on, fast-paced, and highly visible—you\'ll spend time on the pool deck coaching staff, conducting safety audits, teaching certification courses, collaborating with branch leaders, and ensuring every aquatic program delivers a safe, high-quality experience for members and participants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree preferred in Youth Development, Teaching, Psychology, Sports Management, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of aquatic leadership experience including lifeguarding and swim lesson experience.
• Current Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, and Swim Instructor Trainer certifications, or the ability to obtain them.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supervising and developing employees.
• Ability to build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
• Strong computer and administrative skills.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel regularly between YMCA branches.

Essential Functions

• Lead aquatic operations across assigned YMCA branches.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA standards for safety, risk management, program quality, and staff certifications.
• Supervise, coach, and develop aquatic leadership staff while building high-performing teams.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and retain exceptional aquatic staff.
• Teach Lifeguard, CPR, and other required certification courses.
• Conduct environmental safety audits, aquatic safety audits, and program quality reviews.
• Support aquatic program development, innovation, and continuous improvement to meet community needs.
• Assist with department budgets, resource allocation, and operational planning.
• Partner with branch leadership to ensure adequate staffing and operational coverage across locations.
• Serve as the association\'s subject matter expert for aquatic operations and programming.
• Complete required administrative tasks, documentation, and reporting accurately and on time.
• Participate in association leadership teams, strategic initiatives, and organizational projects.
• Respond to emergencies and support a culture where safety is everyone\'s responsibility.