Aquatics Director

Description

Aquatics Director

Classification: Exempt, Salaried

Reports to: Fitness and Wellness Director

Date: October 2026

Summary/objectives:

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Aquatics Director to lead the aquatics department at the Dell JCC. This is a full-time, exempt leadership position responsible for the overall operation, safety, programming, staffing, and member experience of the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center.

The Aquatics Director provides leadership to a team of four full-time aquatics professionals, as well as a large team of part-time and seasonal lifeguards and aquatics staff. This position oversees daily pool operations, aquatics programming, staff development, scheduling, safety and compliance, facility maintenance, budgeting, and customer service.

Success in this role requires a strong operational leader who prioritizes safety, communicates clearly, develops staff, responds effectively to challenges, and creates a welcoming and engaging environment for members, guests, and program participants.

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Staff Management

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, supervise, and develop a high-performing aquatics team.
• Directly supervise two Aquatics Managers and two Aquatics Specialists.
• Provide leadership and oversight to part-time and seasonal staff, including Head Lifeguards, Lead Lifeguards, Lifeguards, and Aquatics Attendants.
• Establish clear expectations for attendance, professionalism, communication, safety, customer service, and job performance.
• Coach, develop, and evaluate staff while creating opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Ensure all aquatics staff maintain required certifications and demonstrate appropriate skills and competencies.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, in-service trainings, emergency drills, and skill evaluations.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and exceptional member service.

Aquatics Operations & Facility Management

• Oversee the daily operation of the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center, including the lap pool, children's activity pool, water slide, pool deck, and related aquatics areas.
• Maintain an accurate and effective pool schedule that supports programs, open swim, lap swimming, rentals, events, and member access.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained to support safe and compliant pool operations.
• Oversee daily pool operations, including water chemistry, cleaning, vacuuming, filtration systems, chemical feed systems, and required maintenance.
• Monitor and maintain required pool logs, inspections, reports, and documentation in accordance with applicable health and safety requirements.
• Partner with Facilities and other departments to address facility maintenance, repairs, equipment needs, and capital improvements.
• Troubleshoot pool mechanical, chemical, and filtration systems and coordinate repairs when necessary.
• Conduct regular facility walkthroughs to ensure the pool and surrounding areas are clean, safe, functional, and welcoming.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of aquatics equipment, supplies, chemicals, and safety equipment.
• Ensure the department operates in accordance with Shalom Austin policies and applicable health and safety regulations.

Safety, Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain safety as the department's highest priority.
• Ensure lifeguards and aquatics staff consistently follow established safety protocols, emergency action plans, and operational procedures.
• Coordinate and lead emergency drills and in-service training to maintain staff readiness.
• Respond effectively to facility emergencies and water-related incidents while applying appropriate life-safety principles and procedures.
• Monitor staff certifications and ensure required credentials remain current.
• Coordinate American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, AED, lifeguarding, and other applicable training programs in partnership with Shalom Austin leadership and Human Resources.
• Maintain accurate staff certification and training records in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Stay current on aquatics safety standards, lifeguarding practices, regulations, industry trends, and facility improvements.

Programs & Member Experience

• Oversee and support aquatics programming, including youth swim team, group swim lessons, private swim lessons, Masters Swim Team, J Camps Swim Skills, and other aquatics programs.
• Work with the Aquatics leadership team to develop, evaluate, and improve programming based on member needs, participation, and department goals.
• Establish and maintain program standards, policies, procedures, and pricing.
• Respond to member questions, feedback, complaints, and service concerns with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and positive environment for members, families, guests, and program participants.
• Partner with Membership, Marketing, Athletics, Fitness & Wellness, J Camps, Human Resources, Facilities, and other departments to create a seamless member experience.
• Support aquatics events, special programs, community events, and initiatives that increase member engagement.

Administration & Budget

• Oversee and monitor the Aquatics department operating budget.
• Manage departmental purchasing, supplies, equipment, and other expenses within approved budgets.
• Maintain accurate records related to staffing, scheduling, certifications, programming, attendance, purchasing, and facility operations.
• Manage program pricing, registration processes, time and attendance records, correspondence, and website updates as needed.
• Review departmental reports and participation data to identify opportunities for operational and program improvements.
• Communicate operational needs, challenges, and recommendations to the Senior Experience Director and appropriate leadership.

Requirements

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4+ years of experience in aquatics, lifeguard training, aquatic facility operations, or related management.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), or ability to obtain certification within three months of hire.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with members, families, staff, and organizational partners.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
• Ability to make sound decisions in emergency and high-pressure situations.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly related to safety, staffing, scheduling, compliance, and facility operations.
• A collaborative leadership style that values communication, accountability, continuous improvement, and staff development.
• Willingness to receive constructive feedback and demonstrate a continuous growth mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of aquatics management experience.
• Experience managing a large team of full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer certification.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer certification.
• Experience managing an aquatic facility with multiple bodies of water and/or aquatic amenities.
• Experience managing an aquatics operating budget.
• Experience with aquatic program development, scheduling, and registration systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to swim a minimum of 300 yards.
• Ability to successfully complete required lifeguard rescue skills and first aid proficiency testing.
• Ability to enter the water quickly and safely during an emergency or while supporting an aquatics program.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, reach, and climb stairs as needed to perform job duties.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, often greater than one hour.
• Ability to move quickly, efficiently, and accurately in an active aquatic environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respond appropriately to participant and staff needs and safety concerns.
• Ability to work in environments with varying and sometimes high noise levels.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat and sun.
• Ability to work around wet surfaces, pool chemicals, pool maintenance equipment, and other environmental hazards associated with an aquatic facility.
• Ability to work in confined spaces when necessary.
• Must be able to see, speak, and hear.
• Must have the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Availability

Must have a flexible schedule with the ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as needed. The Aquatics Director must be available to support peak pool operations, staff meetings, trainings, emergency situations, special events, facility needs, and other operational requirements outside of regularly scheduled hours when necessary.

Reliable attendance, punctuality, flexibility, and the ability to respond to changing operational needs are essential.