Recreation & Aquatics Coordinator

Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Participation in 403(b) retirement

Paid vacation, personal or sick days

Health, Dental, & Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Life Insurance & Long‑Term Disability

2‑week sabbatical every 3 years

Professional development

Complimentary JCC membership

Exclusive program discounts

EEO statement and accessibility

Job summary

Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee seeks an energetic Recreation & Aquatics Coordinator to blend hands-on program delivery with essential administrative coordination. The role covers teaching swim lessons, coaching teams, lifeguarding, and ARC certifications while supporting onboarding and staff in-services.

The position is full-time with a Tue–Sat schedule, reporting to the Director of Recreation & Aquatics, and offering a comprehensive Total Talent Rewards package.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience instructing swim lessons and lifeguarding.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth in a recreation setting.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications (will train the right candidate).
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with a customer-service mindset.

Responsibilities

• Direct Instruction & Coaching: Teach group, adaptive, and adult swim lessons, coach swim team, lead youth recreation and enrichment classes, and support adult sports leagues.
• Safety & Certifications: Instruct American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification and Recertification courses throughout the year.
• In-Service & Training: Assist with planning and leading recurring in-service training for lifeguards, swim instructors, and recreation staff.
• Area Supervision: Supervise pool and gym areas (Tuesday–Saturday) to maintain high safety standards and a warm, welcoming environment.
• Team Support: Partner with the Director to train and schedule staff and assist with new staff onboarding and shift coverage.
• Participant Engagement: Communicate effectively with current and potential participants across email, phone, and in-person channels.
• Registration & Systems: Process enrollments, transfers, refunds, and account adjustments using Traction Rec.
• Program Operations: Generate and distribute class rosters, organize lesson report cards, update instructor materials, and maintain accurate records.
• Manager on Duty (MOD): Perform scheduled Manager on Duty shifts and support organizational special events as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service mindset

Team collaboration

Leadership

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Traction Rec

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

Job description

Are you passionate about aquatics, youth programming, and building a supportive, safety-conscious community? We are seeking an energetic and organized Recreation & Aquatics Coordinator to join our team!

This is a full‑time (40hrs per week) position with a typical schedule of Tuesday through Saturday. In this dual‑impact role, you will combine hands‑on program delivery with essential administrative coordination. You’ll serve as a key leader on the deck and in the gym, coaching swim teams, teaching lessons, lifeguarding, and instructing American Red Cross certification courses while working alongside the Director of Recreation & Aquatics to onboard staff, run staff in‑services, and ensure our members have an exceptional experience.

Key Responsibilities

Aquatics & Recreation Leadership (25–30+ Direct Service Hours/Week)

• Direct Instruction & Coaching: Teach group, adaptive, and adult swim lessons, coach swim team, lead youth recreation and enrichment classes, and support adult sports leagues.

• Safety & Certifications: Instruct American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification and Recertification courses throughout the year.

• In‑Service & Training: Assist with planning and leading recurring in‑service training for lifeguards, swim instructors, and recreation staff.

• Area Supervision: Supervise pool and gym areas (Tuesday–Saturday) to maintain high safety standards and a warm, welcoming environment.

• Team Support: Partner with the Director to train and schedule staff and assist with new staff onboarding and shift coverage.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Participant Engagement: Communicate effectively with current and potential participants across email, phone, and in‑person channels.

• Registration & Systems: Process enrollments, transfers, refunds, and account adjustments using Traction Rec.

• Program Operations: Generate and distribute class rosters, organize lesson report cards, update instructor materials, and maintain accurate records.

• Manager on Duty (MOD): Perform scheduled Manager on Duty shifts and support organizational special events as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree preferred).

• Minimum of 2 years of experience instructing swim lessons and lifeguarding.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth in a recreation setting.

• American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications (will train the right candidate).

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace applications.

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with a customer‑service mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certifications (will train).

• Experience with recreation management software (Traction Rec or similar).

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes:

• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and adaptability.

• A collaborative, positive mindset focused on building a harmonious, inclusive workplace.

• Strong conflict resolution skills, diplomacy, and discretion.

• Passion for fostering the physical, social, and emotional development of children and youth.

Physical & Environmental Requirements:

• Ability to pass American Red Cross swimming requirements: swim 300 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes without hands, and retrieve a 10 lb object from a 12‑foot depth.

• Frequently required to stand, move, lift up to 25 lbs (occasionally up to 50 lbs), and work in varied pool and outdoor weather conditions (heat, rain).

Benefits
We're proud to provide a competitive salary and a comprehensive Total Talent Rewards package designed to recognize and support our people. Or culture prioritizes balance, growth, and well‑being, with a generous perk that help our employees thrive both at work and beyond.

Listed below are some of the benefits that make the JCC a great place to work:

• Participation in a defined contribution 403(b) retirement plan, JCC contribution at 1 year of employment
• Paid time for vacation, personal or sick days
• Health, Dental, & Vision insurance coverage
• Paid observance of secular, religious, and floating holidays
• Life Insurance & Long‑Term Disability at 1 year of employment
• 2‑week sabbatical with stipend every 3 years of employment
• A commitment to professional development

In addition to our Total Talent Rewards package, we’re excited to offer a few uniquely JCC perks that make working here feel like being part of something special. These benefits are designed to help you connect, grow, and truly feel part of our community.

Complimentary Membership

Every active staff member enjoys a full JCC membership at no cost — giving you access to our fitness center, aquatics facility, and wellness programs. It’s our way of helping you stay as healthy and energized as the community you support.

Exclusive Program Discounts

Employees receive generous discounts on nearly all JCC programs, including early childhood education (daycare - infant -4K), camps, before & after school care, fitness and aquatics classes, cultural experiences, and enrichment opportunities. It’s just one more way we invite you to live the JCC experience right alongside our members.

EEO Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Accessibility Statement

If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity at Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please call [phone] or contact us at hr at jccmilwaukee dot org.