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The Aquatics Director leads YMCA aquatics programs, staff, safety, swim instruction, and community water safety initiatives.
Job Description
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Aquatics Director at the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County provides strategic leadership to a dynamic aquatics department, cultivating a cause-driven culture that is welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality, member-focused aquatics programming that advances safety, skill development, and community engagement, while overseeing all aspects of aquatic programming, including the YMCA swim lesson program, youth and adult swim teams, American Red Cross certification courses, and community water safety outreach and education initiatives. The Aquatics Director ensures safe, efficient, and effective pool operations while upholding the highest standards of risk management, aquatic safety, regulatory compliance, and member experience, including shared oversight of water quality, chemical systems, and overall aquatic facility operations in collaboration with the YMCA’s operations team. In addition, the Aquatics Director is responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, supervising, and developing a high-performing aquatics staff team of lifeguards, swim instructors, and swim team coaches. This role also plays a key part in building community partnerships and expanding access to water safety and aquatics programming throughout Tompkins County.
Qualifications
· High School diploma or equivalent required.
· A bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Physical Education or related field is strongly preferred.
· Minimum of four years of related aquatics experience required, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of instructional, recreational, and competitive aquatics programming and operations.
· At least three years’ experience in a supervisory role with skills in recruiting, training, and staff management.
· Minimum age of 21.
· Active American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, including CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen Administration certifications, preferred upon hire and required within 30 days of employment.
· Within 30 days of hire, completion of Child Abuse Prevention and Bloodborne Pathogens trainings.
· American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification required within 90 days of hire.
· YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor certification, or equivalent swim lesson instructor certification, required within 90 days of hire, with YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor Trainer certification required within 120 days of hire.
· Certified Pool Operator certification is strongly preferred.
· Excellent written and verbal skills.
· Must be a self-motivated, hands on team leader with strong communications, networking and collaboration skills.
· High level of attention to detail and quality of programming, service, and facilities.
· Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage several projects at once and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
· Demonstrated success in driving revenue and managing expenses.
Essential Functions
1. Monitors daily pool operations to adhere to all state, local, and YMCA health and safety regulations and conducts and ensures proper maintenance of the pool. Maintains accurate records of pool chemical levels and facility maintenance, including regular equipment inspections.
2. Recruits, hires, schedules, and supervises diverse staff and volunteer teams. Onboards and develops them for success. Conducts regularly scheduled lifeguard and swim lesson in-service trainings. Ensures records of staff certifications are current and complete. Approves payroll.
3. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations. Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
4. Provides strategic oversight of the swim lesson program, including group lessons, private instruction, and the Safety Around Water program, to effectively meet community water safety needs. This includes supervising and ensuring the quality of existing programs, developing and implementing new offerings, and expanding program reach and impact as needed.
5. Supports inclusive and adaptive aquatics programming efforts in collaboration with the YMCA’s Adaptive Program Director to help ensure all participants feel welcomed, supported, and able to safely engage in aquatics programming.
6. Serves as a swim lesson instructor or lifeguard as needed, including stepping in as a substitute to ensure continuity of operations and program quality.
7. Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information.
8. Develops, implements, and actively manages the department’s budget in partnership with branch leadership, ensuring revenue targets are achieved and expenses are effectively controlled.
9. Delivers lifeguard, CPR, First Aid, and swim lesson certification programs across the community.
10. Oversees and supports the YMCA’s competitive youth and adult swim teams, including coordinating practice and meet schedules, supporting coach recruitment and development, facilitating communication with participants and families, and helping drive participant recruitment, engagement, and retention in collaboration with swim team coaching staff.
11. Develops and manages the pool schedule, coordinating swim lessons, special events, pool rentals, swim team practices, and swim meets to maximize pool utilization and staff efficiency.
12. Maintains proactive communication and relationships with parents, participants, members, and staff; addresses and resolves any concerns or complaints.
13. Monitors program registration and attendance data and utilizes participant feedback, including surveys, to assess program impact and inform continuous improvement.
14. Develops and implements emergency action plans with branch leadership team.
15. Maintains accurate incident, accident, and risk management documentation and responds appropriately to emergencies, accidents, and behavioral concerns in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
16. Attends association and branch meetings and trainings.
17. Assists with YMCA Annual Campaign and other fundraising efforts and special events.
18. Does all other duties as assigned.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
· Communication & Influence
· Developing Self & Others
· Engaging Community