Sports and Aquatics Program Director-Aiken

Family YMCA of Greater Augusta; Gregg Park (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aiken County Family YMCA seeks a hands-on Sports & Aquatics Director to lead year‑round sports and aquatics programs, develop staff, and connect with members while maintaining safe, welcoming environments. You will oversee operations, manage budgets, supervise part-time staff and volunteers, and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, including CPO and lifeguard standards.

This in-person leadership role offers opportunities to grow programming and revenue within the YMCA's

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, aquatics, or a related area, or comparable work experience.
• Current Lifeguard Certification.
• Pool Operator certification from a recognized organization.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Strong knowledge of lifeguarding surveillance and rescue techniques.
• Ability to lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate lifeguards, pool managers, program staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and grow sports and aquatics programs for members and the community.
• Recruit, train, supervise, develop, and recognize part-time staff and volunteers.
• Oversee operations and maintenance of outdoor pools.
• Serve as Certified Pool Operator and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Maintain aquatic safety practices, staff certifications, and risk-management procedures.
• Perform lifeguard and swim instructor responsibilities when needed.
• Coordinate aquatic programming and rentals, including swim lessons, swim team, water fitness, adaptive programming, birthday parties, and outside groups.
• Organize and promote sports programming at the Aiken YMCA location.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new programs and grow participation and program revenue.
• Develop and monitor program budgets and maintain appropriate program records and reports.
• Build positive relationships with members, staff, volunteers, families, and community partners.
• Partner with the Executive Director and facilities team to identify and address facility needs.

Skills

Lifeguard supervision

Staff supervision

Lifeguard training

Community relations

Lifeguarding surveillance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation, aquatics, or related area

Comparable work experience

Job description

Sports & Aquatics Director

Aiken County Family YMCA | Aiken, South Carolina
Full-Time | Non-Exempt | Reports to Executive Director

Make an Impact at the Y

Are you passionate about aquatics, sports, developing people, and creating experiences that strengthen your community?

The Aiken County Family YMCA is seeking a Sports & Aquatics Director to lead high-quality sports and aquatics programs that help people of all ages learn, grow, stay active, and belong.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys developing staff, building programs, connecting with members, and maintaining safe and welcoming environments. You'll oversee year-round sports and aquatics programming while helping bring the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility to life every day.

What You'll Do

• Lead, develop, and grow sports and aquatics programs for YMCA members and the community.
• Recruit, train, supervise, develop, and recognize part-time staff and volunteers.
• Oversee operations and maintenance of the Aiken YMCA's outdoor pools.
• Serve as the Certified Pool Operator and help ensure compliance with applicable YMCA, state, and local health and safety requirements.
• Maintain strong aquatic safety practices, staff certifications, and risk-management procedures.
• Perform lifeguard and swim instructor responsibilities when needed.
• Coordinate aquatic programming and rentals, including swim lessons, swim team, water fitness, adaptive programming, birthday parties, and outside groups.
• Organize and promote sports programming at the Aiken YMCA location.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new programs and grow participation and program revenue.
• Develop and monitor program budgets and maintain appropriate program records and reports.
• Build positive relationships with members, staff, volunteers, families, and community partners.
• Partner with the Executive Director and facilities team to identify and address facility needs.

What You'll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in recreation, aquatics, or a related area, or comparable work experience
• Current Lifeguard Certification
• Pool Operator certification from a locally, state, or nationally recognized organization
• Current CPR/First Aid certification
• Strong knowledge of lifeguarding surveillance and rescue techniques
• Ability to lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate lifeguards, pool managers, program staff, and volunteers
• Ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences

Preferred:

• 1-2 years of related experience
• YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor and/or Water Safety Instructor certification
• CPR/First Aid Trainer certification

Additional YMCA-required training, including Child Abuse Prevention, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens, may be required within 30 days of hire.

Why the Y?

At the Y, our work is about more than programs. We strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

We strive to create a workplace where people can belong and become. We are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined-and we want leaders who will help staff, volunteers, members, and families experience those commitments every day.

Work Environment

This is an in-person, active leadership position that includes work in and around aquatic environments. The position requires the ability to perform lifeguarding skills, remain alert in aquatic settings, work occasional irregular hours, and meet the physical requirements of the role, with reasonable accommodations as applicable.

The YMCA is committed to creating an inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds have opportunities to reach their full potential.

We are a drug-free workplace.