Aquatics Director

Lead aquatics at the Stratford and Bridgeport Ys, grow our swim team, and create safe, welcoming experiences for our community.

Job Description

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is seeking an experienced Aquatics Director to lead the Stratford YMCA’s aquatics department and provide additional oversight and support for aquatics programming at the Bridgeport YMCA.


The Aquatics Director provides leadership for safe, high-quality, and member-focused aquatic programs and pool operations. This position oversees the Stratford YMCA’s swim lessons, pool schedules, staff, and competitive swim team program while working closely with Bridgeport YMCA leadership and aquatics staff to promote consistent safety, staffing, training, and program quality across both branches.


The Aquatics Director recruits, develops, and supports a strong team of lifeguards, swim instructors, coaches, and other aquatics staff. The Director also helps grow participation, strengthen member and family engagement, and ensure that all programs and facilities meet YMCA and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• At least one year of experience as an Aquatics Coordinator, aquatics supervisor, or in a comparable aquatics leadership position.
• Experience supervising, scheduling, coaching, and developing aquatics staff.
• Experience with competitive swimming or swim team operations strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of pool filtration and chlorination systems, water safety practices, and aquatic risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs, schedules, budgets, and competing priorities.
• Strong planning, organization, communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm, responsive, and decisive during emergencies.
• Ability to build positive relationships with staff, members, participants, families, volunteers, and community partners.
• Ability to travel regularly between the Stratford and Bridgeport YMCA locations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, swim meets, and special events.
• Ability to work in and around the pool for extended periods, respond to emergencies in a busy aquatic environment, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Essential Functions

• Lead aquatics operations at the Stratford YMCA, including pool scheduling, swim lessons, open swim, lap swim, and other aquatic programming.
• Oversee the Stratford YMCA swim team program, including coaching staff, practice schedules, meet coordination, athlete development, family communication, and team culture.
• Provide leadership and operational oversight for the Bridgeport YMCA aquatics program in partnership with branch leadership and on-site staff.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and develop lifeguards, swim instructors, coaches, and other aquatics staff.
• Ensure staff certifications, onboarding, in-service training, emergency drills, and performance expectations remain current.
• Maintain appropriate lifeguard coverage and a consistent culture of safety and emergency readiness.
• Implement and monitor YMCA safety, child abuse prevention, risk management, and program quality standards.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of incident and accident reports and immediately escalate safety concerns, conduct violations, and mandatory reporting situations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state and local regulations, YMCA of the USA guidelines, Association policies, and pool health and safety standards.
• Partner with facility and maintenance staff to monitor water chemistry, filtration systems, equipment, supplies, and repair needs.
• Manage the aquatics budget, monitor revenue and expenses, support enrollment goals, and identify opportunities to strengthen participation and member retention.
• Build positive relationships with members, participants, swim team families, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Support branch and Association initiatives, including Manager on Duty coverage, the Annual Campaign, meetings, and required training.
• Model the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all interactions.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

• Engaging Community
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making
• Communication & Influence
• Program/Project Management
• Developing Self & Others
• Functional Expertise

Required Certifications

• CPR/AED
• First Aid
• Lifeguard certification
• Swim Instructor certification
• YMCA Aquatics training, as applicable to the position
• Certified Pool Operator certification within six months of hire

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