Aquatics Director-Northwest Cary YMCA

Overview

Under the supervision of the Associate Executive Director of Membership, the Aquatics Director is responsible for year-round programs and activities within the NW Cary YMCA Aquatics Department and provides leadership to staff responsible for designing and delivering those activities. They will work to strengthen relationships with members and build communities around common goals while maintaining safety in the pool, on the pool deck and surrounding areas.

They will be responsible for managing those functions in accordance with the stated mission and policies established by the YMCA of the Triangle Area.

Program Development & Delivery

• Deliver high-quality aquatic programs that support member health, wellness, and a positive experience.
• Leads efforts for the aquatics team to effectively engage with members.
• Coordinate and oversee all aquatics programming including swim lessons and summer swim team in their basic operations. This includes swim lesson curriculum implementation, instructor training, registration, and parent communication.
• Connects aquatic programs with other branch initiatives to ensure a positive and safe environment, including providing aquatic safety training to non-aquatic staff as needed.

Safety & Risk Management

• Monitors daily pool operations to ensure compliance with state, local, and YMCA health and safety regulations.
• Conducts and ensures proper pool maintenance, including accurate recordkeeping of chemical levels and facility upkeep.
• Checks pools for hazardous conditions at the beginning and end of shifts.
• Ensures compliance with YUSA and Association Program Guidelines; conducts regular rescue-ready audits as part of ongoing risk management.
• Prevents, prepares for, and responds to incidents in and around the pool area; maintains accident/incident reports and equipment safety records.
• Knows and reviews all emergency procedures; responds immediately to emergencies in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
• Oversee and ensure that all part-time and full-time staff across the entire branch maintain current, role-specific certifications, regardless of department.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruits and hires diverse staff and volunteer teams across multiple dimensions of diversity.
• Onboards, trains, schedules, and develops staff for success.
• Oversees and manages lifeguards and head lifeguards, including scheduling and communication.
• Coaches and evaluates part-time staff using YMCA coaching tools.
• Leads staff meetings and in-service trainings.

Operations & Administration

• Orders pool supplies and chemicals; maintains awareness of operational needs.
• Ensures departmental compliance with branch and association standards in programs, administration, and operations.
• Mobilizes members and community partners as volunteers in support of the YMCA cause through the Annual Campaign, including recruitment, planning, and fundraising.
• Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication with members, staff, and community partners.
• Serves as part of the Leadership Engagement team to build relationships with members and program participants.
• Provides direct service as a lifeguard, swim instructor, or certification instructor as needed.
• Maintains presence in the aquatic area during afternoons, evenings, and weekends to ensure staff uphold YMCA standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors’ degree in a related field preferred and/or 2-3 years of related experience.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Experience in leading others, pool programming, pool maintenance, volunteer cultivation, staff development and supervision.
• Must be professional, courteous and friendly, have a high level of initiative and be a self-starter.
• Must have excellent communication skills, be well organized, and be able to respond appropriately in a dynamic, fluid environment.
• Ability to determine and set priorities; as well as the capacity to respond and handle multiple tasks appropriately in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment is critical.
• Must meet all requirements to physically perform all necessary rescue and survival skills.
• Must have CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen certifications prior to start date.
• Must maintain Redcross Lifeguarding and Lifeguard Instructor Certifications.
• Ability to obtain Certified Pool Operator Certification required.
• Ability to obtain YUSA National Swim Lesson Certification preferred.
• Multi-lingual desired but not required.

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Primarily office and program settings with frequent interaction in gyms, classrooms, and outdoor spaces

• Moderate noise levels; may be louder during youth or community activities
• Regular use of computer, phone, and other office technology
• Frequent standing, walking,…