Aquatics Director
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Aquatics Director position supports the work of the YMCA of Collier County, Inc., a leading not-for-profit organization committed to strengthening the communities in Collier County through its core focus areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. The Aquatics Director is responsible for the overall operations and safety of Aquatics programming for all branches of the YMCA of Collier County. She/he supervises all pool activities and ensures the development and implementation of high-quality programming to serve our community and its needs. The Aquatics Director leads by example and ensures the appropriate performance and conduct of all lifeguards, swim instructors, and other direct reports. The Aquatics Director will operate the department to meet or exceed budgetary goals, as well as handle all administrative responsibilities for the YMCA of Collier County.
OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Provide overall direction, scheduling, and supervision of all I.S.R. (Infant Safety Response) programs and S.A.W. (Safety Around Water) lessons, and Competitive Swimming, and develop additional programs and services.
Identify and strengthen community partners to strengthen our presence in the community and provide an aquatics resource for others.
Supervise, recruit, train, schedule, and direct a highly competent team of Lifeguards and swim lesson instructors. Identify opportunities to build a talent pipeline (i.e. Junior Lifeguard program, internal wellness staff, swim team members). Improve the candidate interview and onboarding experience.
Create a culture among the team that reduces turnover and increases engagement.
Oversee the operations of the pool including maintaining pool equipment, monitoring water chemistry, and keeping up to date records.
Assures compliance with state and local regulations. Ensures that program standards are met, and safety procedures are followed.
In coordination with the branch Membership/Marketing Directors, create a comprehensive marketing and communication plan to promote all aquatics programs, events, and services, geared to recruiting new and retaining current participants.
Provide ongoing evaluation of current aquatics programs, staff, and services including frequent quick checks to ensure quality and close any gaps related to safety and protocols.
Attend weekly staff meetings and work with branch peers to elevate the Aquatics Department across the association.
Develop, implement, and manage department budgets.
Schedule, conduct and track monthly in-service trainings, ensure attendance, and develop a culture of accountability among team members.
Participate in Florida Y Professional Network’s Aquatics Peer Community group on a regular basis.
Maintain the highest quality of courtesy, friendliness and service excellence toward members, visitors, and other staff.
Additional responsibilities may be assigned.
Every incidental duty connected with the Aquatics Director job cannot be specified in the position description and the colleague, at the discretion of the CEO, may be required to perform duties that are not included in this job description.
YMCA COMPETENCIES:
Supports the Mission, Vision, and Direction of the YMCA: Understands and supports the mission of the YMCA; displays the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility as well as displays flexibility and the ability to accept change. Is willing to try new methods and make suggestions. Shows a strong commitment to the YMCA, conveys enthusiasm for the YMCA and for his/her work.
Builds Community: Understands and embraces the role of volunteers; helps members and participants make connections to others and to the YMCA; practices effective relationship building techniques; supports the role of fundraising in achieving the YMCA mission.
Provides a Quality Experience for Members, Participants, Internal Customers and Others: Possesses the ability to deliver outstanding experiences for members, participants, internal customers, and others; builds warm and supportive relationships; consistently greets and assists everyone in a positive way; strives to provide service that will exceed expectations; responds to concerns and complaints in a way that makes each person feel valued; initiates action for prompt resolution; looks for better ways to serve and involve members, participants, internal customers, and others.
Works Productively: Demonstrates responsible actions; consistently performs duties in a safe and conscientious manner within agreed upon timeframes; follows standards, policies and procedures; is reliable and consistently punctual; actively participates in staff meetings, required trainings and other work-related activities; uses good judgement; uses YMCA resources appropriately and efficiently.
Uses Effective Personal Behaviors/Communicates Effectively: Treats everyone with courtesy, respect, and consideration; displays integrity; listens actively and genuinely; communicates in a clear and pleasant manner; embraces differences among people; demonstrates an active willingness to learn and grow; accepts constructive criticism; works cooperatively as a team member.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: (TEAM LEADER)
Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.
Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.
Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.
Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change, models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes nonthreatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree (B. A.) preferred.
Relevant experience: 5 years (Preferred)
5 years of experience as a lifeguard required.
3 years in a previous aquatics supervisory role preferred.
Working understanding of public pool operation and compliance.
Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Must be able to meet the Association’s background screening requirements.
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.
Must be able to remain alert.
Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods.
Adequate ability to hear noises and distinguish distress signals.
Ability to continuously scan all areas of the pool with clear vision.
Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a water rescue.
This position supports both the Naples and Marco Island branches; employee must be able to commute to both sites.
Onsite attendance is required of this position.