Aquatic and Training Director

YMCA
Hourly
$30.00
$37.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
Resume Contact
[email protected]
Lead Aquatics. Develop People. Strengthen Community.
Job Description

The Whatcom Family Y is seeking an enthusiastic and visionary Aquatics & Training Director to lead one of our most impactful program areas. If you're passionate about water safety, developing staff, and creating exceptional experiences for swimmers of all ages, this is an opportunity to make a lasting difference while growing your career with the Y.

The Aquatics and Training Director is responsible for directing and overseeing the development and operations of the youth and adult aquatic programming including swim lessons, swim team, lifeguarding classes, or other water-based activities as assigned, and develop an annual safety training plan. The director will also develop and manage budgets, supervise staff and volunteers, and foster relationships with families and community organizations to promote program participation and safety.

This is a highly collaborative leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing program development, staff leadership, operational management, and direct instruction. Every day brings something different—from teaching a lifeguard certification course to coaching swim instructors, partnering with community organizations, or developing new programs that expand access to lifesaving water safety skills.

We're Looking For Someone Who

  • Is passionate about water safety and youth development.
  • Enjoys mentoring and developing future leaders.
  • Has strong organizational and leadership skills.
  • Thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
  • Is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where everyone belongs.
  • Brings creativity, initiative, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Why the Whatcom Family Y?

This is an exciting time to join the Whatcom Family Y. We are in the early stages of developing a new Y facility that will significantly expand our ability to serve the community—including a major enhancement of our aquatics center and programming. As our Aquatics & Training Director, you'll have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of aquatics at the Y by contributing to program development, operational planning, staff growth, and the vision for an expanded department.

Our Y serves one of the most beautiful regions in the Pacific Northwest while making a meaningful impact on thousands of children, families, and individuals each year. Our team is passionate, supportive, and committed to helping one another grow professionally while advancing our mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Y membership
  • Generous paid time off and holidays
  • Retirement plan with employer contributions
  • Professional development and certification support
  • Leadership growth opportunities within the YMCA movement

This is more than a leadership position—it's an opportunity to help build the future of aquatics in our community while advancing your career within one of the nation's leading nonprofit organizations.

Live Where Others Vacation
Located just 90 minutes north of Seattle and 30 minutes south of Vancouver, BC, Bellingham, Washington offers an exceptional quality of life with easy access to both city amenities and outdoor adventure.

Known for its stunning natural beauty, Bellingham sits between Bellingham Bay and the Cascade Mountains, making it a year-round destination for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and trail running. The community features a vibrant downtown, thriving arts and music scene, locally owned restaurants, farmers markets, breweries, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

Whether you're looking to spend weekends exploring Mount Baker, the San Juan Islands, or miles of scenic waterfront trails, Bellingham offers the perfect balance of career opportunity and outdoor lifestyle.

Join Our Team
If you're ready to lead a dynamic aquatics department, inspire the next generation of aquatic professionals, and help strengthen our community through the YMCA mission, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in aquatic programming or facility management, with a proven track record of leadership and program management.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Education, or related field preferred.
  • Current Y or American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification, Y Swim Lesson Instructor Trainer, and CPR/AED/First Aid instructor certification or ability to obtain.
  • One year or more of supervising experience including paid and volunteer position.
  • Minimum age of 21 years or older.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and teams effectively.
  • Passionate about serving youth and families, with a commitment to the YMCA mission.
  • An understanding of positive youth development principles and experience in sports program implementation.
  • Strong knowledge of YMCA aquatics standards, risk management, and emergency procedures.
  • Strong communication skills with youth and adults is essential.
  • Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
  • Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Within 6 months of hire, completion of the Pool Operators Certification.
  • Completion of Y program-specific training. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
  • The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.  
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. 
Essential Functions

Directs and manages the development, operations, and growth of assigned program areas.
Supporting day-to-day operations (eg. participant communication, facility rentals, participant
rosters/team management, etc. and other program specific-assigned duties)

  1. Develops and monitors the program budget to meet fiscal objectives; compiling program statistics
    to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of and participation in the programs; scheduling and
    maintaining the needed facilities; and creating and scheduling the activities or events.
  2. Assess programs to align with community needs to include supervising existing program activities,
    establishing new program activities, and expanding the program within the community as needed.
    Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information.
  3. Ensures programs and services are culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate for
    participants while encouraging an inclusive environment that welcomes a diverse array of the
    community.
  4. Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules and directs staff and volunteers as needed. 
    Review and evaluate performance. Develop strategies to motivate staff and volunteers to
    achieve goals. Ensure certifications are current and complete for assigned staff and
    volunteers.
  5. Develop and implement an annual association-wide aquatics training plan that ensures consistent
    training, certification compliance, and operational excellence across all aquatic facilities while
    supporting employee growth, retention, and succession planning.
  6. Schedule and conduct required certifications and recertifications, including Lifeguarding, CPR/AED,
    First Aid, Oxygen Administration, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and Y Swim Lesson
    Instructor certifications, as applicable. Maintain training records and certification documentation to
    ensure all staff meet the Y, state, and regulatory requirements.
  7. Collaborates with other departments to create a comprehensive experience for participants,
    members and the community.
  8. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions; develops and maintains collaborative
    relationships with staff, parents and caregivers, and community to maximize program impact and
    drive overall outcomes; maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within the area of
    responsibility.
  9. Assures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as they relate to program areas,
    including ADA accommodations where appropriate; ensures that YMCA program standards are met
    and safety procedures followed.
  10. Actively participates in fundraising efforts, program sponsorship opportunities and committees as
    assigned.
  11. Follows organization’s policies and procedures regarding protecting youth from abuse; including screening and selection, training and supervision, and responding to allegations. Communicate to all staff and volunteers the organization’s commitment to protect youth from abuse. Follows mandated reporting requirements.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Engaging Community, Volunteerism, Philanthropy, Change Leadership

Building Relationships: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, Inclusion

Leading Operations: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise,

Innovation, Program/Project Management

Developing & Inspiring People: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity

Required Certifications

Y or American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor

Y Swim Lesson Instructor Trainer

CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor