Recreation Coordinator - Swim Lessons

Apex Park and Recreation District

Arvada (CO)

On-site

USD 53,000 - 69,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

The Apex Park and Recreation District is seeking a Recreation Coordinator to support the Aquatics Division across multiple facilities in Arvada. You will plan, coordinate, and execute high-quality swim lesson programming, manage daily operations, instructor scheduling, and progress tracking to ensure safe and engaging lessons.

You will coach staff, assist with hiring and training, supervise lifeguards, and maintain program quality and safety standards while delivering excellent customer service.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of related experience.
Current Starfish Instructor certification or equivalent.
Preferred: StarGuard Elite Lifeguard Training certifications.
Preferred: CPR/AED and related safety certifications.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement swim lessons (group, private, adaptive).
Ensure lessons follow Starfish curriculum.
Manage class sizes, attendance, and placement.
Assist with registration, changes, and waitlists.
Create swim instructor schedules; onboarding and mentoring.
Recruit, train, and supervise part‑time staff.
Supervise swim instructors and lifeguards; enforce safety protocols.
Respond to customer inquiries promptly; maintain quality.
Serve as supervisor on duty when management is not on site.

Skills

Swim program supervision

Staff coaching

Scheduling

Customer service

Lifeguard operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 2+ years experience

Starfish Instructor certification

Tools

Starfish software

Job description

Position Summary, Duties And Responsibilities

Hiring Range: $53,370 - $69,380

The Recreation Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the Aquatics Division of the Apex Park and Recreation District, with primary responsibilities at the Apex Center, Secrest Recreation Center and Fitzmorris Recreation Center, programming swim lessons and lifeguard training classes. The Recreation Coordinator is responsible for the planning, coordination, and the execution of high-quality swim lesson programming. This role oversees daily swim lesson operations, instructor scheduling, participant progress tracking, report cards, and communication.

The coordinator supports staff development through coaching, evaluations, audits, in-service training, provides excellent customer service, and teaches swim lessons as needed to ensure program coverage and quality. In addition, the coordinator collaborates with management on hiring, training, scheduling, program planning, and evaluation to maintain high‑quality aquatic offerings.

Beyond the Apex Center, this role contributes to the oversight of aquatic programs across the District’s facilities, including three year‑round indoor pools and three outdoor pools during the summer season (May–August). The Recreation Coordinator ensures that all programs meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

We are looking for someone that can work Sunday through Wednesday.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Development and implementation of group, private, and adaptive swim lessons.
Ensure swim lessons are delivered according to Starfish curriculum.
Monitor class sizes, attendance, and participant placement to support effective learning.
Assist with program registration, changes, and waitlist management as needed.
Teach swim lessons as needed to support program coverage and maintain instructional quality.
Create and maintain swim instructor schedules; assist with onboarding, training and mentoring swim instructors.
Assist with the recruitment, hiring, training, and supervising of part‑time staff.
Provide leadership and supervision to swim instructors and lifeguards, ensuring they adhere to safety protocols and deliver exceptional customer service.
Acts as the supervisor on duty when management is not on site.
Respond to customer inquiries and concerns, ensuring prompt and satisfactory resolution.

Other Responsibilities

Point of contact during contracted events and rentals.
Troubleshoot equipment issues and rectify.
Teaches swim lessons, lifeguards, and manages the facilities as needed.
Conduct set up/teardown for events, and lessons as needed.
Assists in the development of day‑to‑day operational procedures and follow such procedures.
Assists in facility operations of Apex Center.
Recognizes emergency and dangerous situations by reacting quickly and calmly. Performs lifesaving techniques as necessary.
Responsible for checking and maintaining proper chemical readings, records, and chemical levels, and pump room operations. Makes necessary adjustments as required. Informs Manager or Aquatics Engineer of any faults or irregularities of chemical levels.
Supports the Aquatics management team with staff and facility scheduling, as needed.
Attends Aquatic Management meetings and other District meetings as required, including possible assignments unrelated to Aquatics.
Submits maintenance work orders as necessary.
Assists supervisors with assigned projects as needed. Flex schedule as required by supervisor.

Supervisory Duties

Acts as supervisor on duty at the Aquatic Facilities in the absence of Manager or Assistant Manager. Assists with the supervision of part‑time aquatics staff.
The Recreation Coordinator is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of high‑quality swim lesson programming. This role oversees daily swim lesson operations, instructor scheduling, participant progress tracking, and communication.
The coordinator supports staff development through coaching, evaluations, and in‑service training, provides excellent customer services, and teaches swim lessons as needed to ensure program coverage and quality.
Development and implementation of group, private, and adaptive swim lessons.
Ensure swim lessons are delivered according to StarFish curriculum.
Monitor class sizes, attendance, and participant placement to support effective learning.
Assist with program registration, changes, and waitlist management as needed.
Teach swim lessons as needed to support program coverage and maintain instructional quality.
Create and maintain swim instructor schedules; assist with onboarding, training and mentoring swim instructors.
Acts as the supervisor on duty and point of contact during contracted events and rentals.
Conduct set up/tear down for events, and lessons as needed.
Assists in the development of day‑to‑day operational procedures and follows such procedures.
Responds to staff and public inquiries in a courteous manner; resolves conflicts in an efficient and timely manner.
Ensures safety of staff and guests by maintaining the appropriate number of guards on duty. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of participant progress and records.
Recognizes emergency and dangerous situations by reacting quickly and calmly. Performs lifesaving techniques as necessary.
Responsible for checking and maintaining proper chemical readings, records, and chemical levels, and pump room operations. Makes necessary adjustments as required. Informs Management of any faults or irregularities of chemical levels.

Job Qualifications

Working knowledge in various aspects of aquatics including programming, supervision, standard aquatic equipment, current swimming techniques, competitive swimming and diving, and lifeguarding.
Knowledge of computers and technology pertaining to competitive equipment.
Knowledge of current Colorado Department of Health and Safety Swimming Pool regulations.

Education and Experience

Required

Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of related experience A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Current Starfish Instructor certification or equivalent.

Preferred:

One to three years of competitive swimming and/or diving
Swim Instructor Trainer or equivalent
Current or willing to obtain Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO)
Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification
Current StarGuard Elite or equivalent certifications in Lifeguard Training
CPR including oxygen, First Aid, AED.

Work Environment

Employees work in a climate‑controlled environment but will be exposed to extreme heat/cold and wetness/humidity.
Occasionally, the employee will be required to work outside or drive in varying temperatures/conditions.
Noise level may be moderate to loud, with occasional high levels and vibrations.
The employee may regularly encounter fumes, odors, chemicals, dusts, and mechanical hazards.
Exposure to chemically treated water for a minimum of 4 hours per day.
Environment will have poor acoustics with frequent distractions and interruptions.

Physical Activities

Required to sit, stand, walk, use hands, fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, or reach with hands and arms.
Required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and occasionally required to carry, pull, push, or lift to 50 pounds unassisted and 100 pounds assisted.
Requires alertness, precision, memory, concentration, judgement, reasoning, patience, problem solving and imagination.
Ability to recognize distressed swimmers, dangerous situations and hazards up to a distance of 200 feet.
Ability to hear and respond to emergency signals, calls for help or assistance and to recognize dangerous situations from listening to crowd noises.
Ability to recognize odd or unusual sounds in standard pool equipment and machinery.
Ability to give clear verbal instructions up to a distance of 200 feet.

Travel

Travel to facilities across the District.
May be required to attend meetings outside of the District.

NOTE: This job announcement outlines the primary responsibilities, but there’s always room to grow and shine as part of our team. This position may be involved in additional exciting projects as assigned.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds, including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, to apply. Our organization values the unique perspectives and experiences that a diverse workforce brings, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Apex Park and Recreation District is on a mission to enhance the health of our community – socially, emotionally, and physically – by being a gathering place and trusted resource for a variety of activities and programs that connect people and improve their quality of life. And the key to executing this vision? An amazing collection of talented, passionate, enthusiastic, and downright fun employees who work together as a team to make these ideals a reality. If you value service to your community, providing top‑notch facilities and programming for a diverse, multi‑generational customer base, and think that play is just as important as work, we want you on Team Apex. For full‑time employees we offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); retirement plan with generous employer match; vacation, sick, and paid holidays; and an employee wellness program that includes free use of all public drop‑in programs and discounted registration for any class or activity listed in the activities guide.

Do you have prior swim lesson teaching experience?

Do you have 2 or more years of managment experience?