Safety Around Water Aquatics Director

YMCA; Coppell (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas seeks a Safety Around Water Director to lead SAW programming across YMCA, school, and community venues, ensuring safe, high-quality instruction and data-driven outcomes.

You will recruit, train, and supervise SAW instructors, maintain required certifications, and coordinate summer pool operations with a focus on safety, staffing, and program impact. A degree in recreation/education/aquatics is preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in recreation, education, aquatics, nonprofit management, or related field preferred.
• Two or more years of aquatics, swim instruction, lifeguarding, youth programming, or related leadership experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, scheduling, and staff-leadership skills.
• YMCA Lifeguard certification required.
• YMCA Lifeguard Instructor certification required or obtained within an established timeframe.
• YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor certification required.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or equivalent required or obtained within an established timeframe.
• YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor Trainer certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement SAW programming at YMCA, school, and community locations.
• Manage program schedules, staffing, participant groups, equipment, and daily logistics.
• Ensure consistent delivery of the YMCA Safety Around Water curriculum and compliance with YMCA Aquatics and safety standards.
• Support school-day programming, community initiatives, special events, and other drowning-prevention efforts.
• Serve as an operational contact for schools, teachers, families, and community partners.

Skills

Leadership

Program Management

Scheduling

Data Tracking

Communication

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in recreation/education/aquatics/nonprofit management

Job description

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, established in 1885, consists of 16 branches and 1 destination camp - all dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected, and secure children, adults, families, and communities. We are seeking a Safety Around Water Director to join our team.

The Safety Around Water Director is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and delivery of YMCA Safety Around Water programming. Reporting to the Regional Director of Safety Around Water & School Partnerships, this position supports school and community initiatives, manages program staff and logistics, ensures accurate participant data, and maintains high standards for safety and program quality.

During the summer season, this position also provides direct leadership and operational oversight for an assigned YMCA outdoor pool.

Essential Functions

Safety Around Water Programming

• Coordinate and implement SAW programming at YMCA, school, and community locations.
• Manage program schedules, staffing, participant groups, equipment, and daily logistics.
• Ensure consistent delivery of the YMCA Safety Around Water curriculum and compliance with YMCA Aquatics and safety standards.
• Support school-day programming, community initiatives, special events, and other drowning-prevention efforts.
• Serve as an operational contact for schools, teachers, families, and community partners.
• Identify operational challenges and work with the Regional Director to implement solutions.

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and develop SAW instructors and program staff.
• Ensure staff maintain required certifications and complete YMCA training requirements.
• Observe staff performance and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Build a positive team culture focused on safety, service, accountability, and the YMCA mission.

Program Quality & Data

• Ensure accurate collection of attendance, participant assessments, skill progression, and other required program data.
• Maintain program rosters, schedules, staff records, and required documentation.
• Monitor program quality, safety practices, staffing ratios, and participant experience.
• Support reporting for YMCA leadership, school partners, grants, and funders.
• Use program data and participant outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.

Summer Outdoor Pool Operations

• Manage daily pool operations, staffing, programming, and facility readiness.
• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate seasonal aquatic staff.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA lifeguard, aquatic safety, and emergency-action standards.
• Conduct required lifeguard observations, drills, and emergency action plan practices.
• Oversee opening and closing procedures, pool cleaning, water chemistry, testing, and required documentation.
• Monitor facility and pool equipment and coordinate maintenance and repair needs.
• Respond to incidents, emergencies, weather conditions, and facility closures.
• Provide a safe, welcoming experience for YMCA members, participants, families, and guests.

Financial & Administrative Responsibilities

• Monitor staffing costs, program expenses, supplies, payroll, and scheduling.
• Support purchasing and inventory needs for SAW and summer pool operations.
• Assist with grant documentation and program reporting.
• Follow YMCA financial, payroll, purchasing, and administrative procedures.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role includes safe and consistent SAW program delivery, measurable participant skill progression, accurate data and documentation, reliable staffing, strong school and community relationships, and safe and effective operation of the assigned outdoor pool.

Associate's or bachelor's degree in recreation, education, aquatics, nonprofit management, or related field preferred.

• Two or more years of aquatics, swim instruction, lifeguarding, youth programming, or related leadership experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, scheduling, and staff-leadership skills.
• YMCA Lifeguard certification required.
• YMCA Lifeguard Instructor certification required or obtained within an established timeframe.
• YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor certification required.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or equivalent required or obtained within an established timeframe.
• YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor Trainer certification preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel between YMCA, school, and community program locations.