Aquatics Director

Position Summary:
The Aquatics Director is responsible for preparing and administering departmental budget, coordinating swim lessons and Safe Start, as well as developing new programs. In addition, the Aquatics Director will manage the Aquatics staff to include hiring and training of staff as well as ensuring that all safety and risk management procedures are followed.

Essential Functions / Job Duties:
• Meets all assigned program enrollment and program quality benchmarks by marketing and promoting the Aquatics Program.
• Develops new Aquatic programs both onsite and off-site; meets or exceed enrollment goals.
• Assists Executive Director in Annual Campaign to exceed Dollars, Donors and Volunteers goals.
• Ensures that the Aquatics Program follows the program standards, policies, protocol and guidelines of the YMCA of the USA, Y South Florida as well as state and local codes.
• Provides oversight of the Swim 4 Jenny week.
• Assists with Mobile Aquatics Van schedule.
• Oversees, in conjunction with the Director of Competitive Swim Programs, the swim team at Family Center.
• Prepares and controls the annual income and expenses for the budget in the Aquatics Department.
• Coordinates schedules of participants for each season and class.
• Keeps abreast of safety and Risk Management and emergency procedures.
• Maintains accident reports, records of equipment and safety inspection, and health code records.
• Recruits, hires, trains and manage staff.
• Audits lifeguard skills, certifications and in service documentation to ensure all staff are within association policy and standard.
• Provides training to staff in lifeguarding, CPR, first aid, oxygen
• Assists with the development of member communication material, brochures, newsletter, PSA’s target marketing materials and in-house information.
• Maintains program areas at the YMCA and off-site locations in a clean, orderly and safe manner.
• Serves as a member of the management team as MOD
• Performs other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (i.e. Leader, Team Leader, Multi-Team / Branch Leader):
Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the YMCA’s efforts for all stakeholders. Implements effective systems to develop volunteers at program and fundraising leadership levels.
Collaboration: Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the community. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the YMCA. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.
Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.
Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Anticipates challenges that can sidetrack or derail growth and personal learning. 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, Skills and Abilities / Position Requirements:
Education and Experience:
• High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education or related field, preferred.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of Aquatics program experience with a budget exceeding 250K.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Bilingual, English and Spanish, a plus.

Certificates and Licenses:
• YMCA Lifeguard Certified or Red Cross Lifeguard Certified, Certified Pool Operator (CPO or AFO) and Swim Instructor Certified, required within 30 days
• First Aid/CPR/AED, CPRO and oxygen administration certified.
• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred but not required

Other skills and abilities:
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact with individuals at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to respond in safety and emergency situations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be organized and detail oriented.

Ideal Candidate Profile
• Avid swimmer, passionate about the sport of swimming, dedicated to the cause of water safety and drowning prevention.
• High-energy personality, outgoing and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment.
• Natural leader with a competitive drive, emotionally mature, able to initiate and conduct difficult conversations with individuals at all levels.
• Comfortable with public speaking.
• Innate desire to provide excellent customer service to participants, which will result in an exceptional aquatic experience.
• Have the ability to swim test to be LGI and YSLI Trainer

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics 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.
• Primary works on pool deck or around pool arena, however occasionally sits inside and visits off site program sites.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.
• Will be required to drive often for meetings and other work-related duties.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to success perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.
Being in good physical health with full range of body motion, including manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Occasionally requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Employment at the YMCA is at-will. It is purely voluntary, based upon the consent of both the Association and the staff member. No expressed or implied contractual rights should be inferred from this job description.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprint background screening.

As a Drug-Free Employer, all new hires must successfully complete a drug test. Please note Medical Marijuana cards are not accepted and do not exempt you from successfully passing your drug test.

The YMCA of South Florida is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age or disability.

In accordance with House Bill 531 (2025) the Department of Children and Families require employers to make the “Care Provider Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness” website link: available to all potential candidates receiving a background check via the Clearinghouse.

Equal Opportunity Employer


This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.