Aquatics Director - Westchester at YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is not only the premiere non-profit in Los Angeles, it is also a great place to work, make a difference in your community and meet like-minded individuals. With twenty-six branches, three camps and over fifty child care sites, the LA Y is a highly-collaborative, rewarding and fun environment where you will discover your passion, grow your career and make an impact!

We believe in the four Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility and understand that our staff are our biggest asset! We strive to create high-performing, strong teams in each of our branches and are looking for passionate and enthusiastic staff who will help us to strengthen our impact, empower our community and deliver incredible programming!

Position Description

The Aquatics Director will manage the Aquatics Department, ensure the Aquatics Department is meeting its monthly, quarterly, and annual goals and objectives, and ensure compliance with all Association standards and safety procedures. The Aquatics Director will hire, train, evaluate and supervise staff and volunteers for all Aquatics Program areas, develop and manage the Aquatics Department budget, and provide leadership and support to the annual fundraising campaign and other volunteer committees, as assigned.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older
• Current YMCA Lifeguarding, American Safety & Health Institute or American Red Cross or American Heart Association BLS for the Professional Rescuer, Standard/Community First Aid certifications and Emergency Oxygen Administration (Certified American Red Cross Lifeguards must obtain YMCA Lifeguarding Certification within 90 days of hire).
• Ability to maintain required certification; Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
• A minimum of one (1) year experience in aquatics with 3-4 years of supervisory experience, preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree, Y-USA LG Instructor Certification, YUSA Swim Lesson Instructor Certification, CPO or POOL Certification, preferred.
• This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify check.

Responsibilities

1. Direct and supervise program activities to meet the needs of the community and fulfill YMCA objectives. Establishes new program activities and expands program within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations.
2. Provide direct supervision to department staff on-site and off-site, assuring that all staff are qualified, certified, and are meeting minimum performance standards for their position.
3. Recruit and hire staff using screen tools and panel interviews to gain the best possible fit for each opening.
4. Provide training for staff and volunteers on an on-going basis through staff meetings, special courses and workshops.
5. Maintain current and up-to-date records for all staff that require certifications and keeps copies on file. Ensure that all job descriptions and performance standards are accurate, current and on file for all employees.
6. Develop work schedules, coordinate daily work, and make sure timecards are properly recorded by employees.
7. Monitor daily pool operations to adhere to all state, local and YMCA health and safety regulations.
8. Conducts and ensures proper maintenance of pool(s). Secures and schedules pool facilities. Maintains accurate records of pool chemical levels and facility maintenance.
9. Models relationship building skills in all interactions. Responds to all member and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.
10. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and participation in Aquatic programs.
11. Develops annual operating budget for aquatic programs. Manage department budget to achieve monthly, quarterly and annual goals.
12. Identify program volunteer positions and assist with the identification, hiring and tracking of program volunteers; Ensure all assigned committees have appropriate staff leadership, commission statements and chart of works.
13. Creates member involvement opportunities on a year-round basis to support annual fundraising goals, including year-round recruitment and committee involvement; Responsible for recruitment and retention of Community Support Campaign leadership.
14. Maintains commitment to safety through regularly scheduled safety inspections. Meets Association Aquatic standards regarding safety and risk management.
15. Responsible for marketing Aquatic programs to members and the community through events, initiatives and activities for members and the community.
16. Communicate program information, registration information, schedules, etc., effectively and consistently with branch management and membership staff.
17. Ensure swim lessons are being instructed using the YMCA of the USA swim lesson program; create and ensure there is a nurturing environment for swim lesson participants.
18. While on duty as a lifeguard, provides continuous, uninterrupted scanning of pool and aquatic area.
19. Reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Completes related reports as required.
20. Follow and ensure Minimum Standards of Safety for Aquatic Activities are being met. Understands and consistently enforces safety rules, policies and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area.
21. Maintains accurate records as required by the YMCA and/or the state Health Department code.
22. Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
23. Plays an active role in continuing to identify ways to improve safety standards.
24. Maintains effective, positive relationships with members, participants and other staff.
25. Continuously monitors aquatic area for hazardous or unsafe conditions. Immediately reports all hazardous or unsafe conditions to management and takes appropriate action.
26. Uses problem-solving skills to make quick decisions, instruct, evaluate, supervise, and recognize the potential for danger or injury.
27. Successfully completes and passes periodic aquatic safety assessments.
28. Sit for extended periods of time in an elevated chair. Must remain alert and focused on the entire zone of responsibility for extended periods of time, even under conditions of high heat and humidity, with no lapses in consciousness. Move safely to various locations, including entering and exiting an elevated chair, while scanning the zone of responsibility.
29. Adequate ability to hear noises and distinguish distress signals. Must understand that significant background noise exists in all indoor and outdoor aquatic environments.
30. Ability to continuously scan all areas of the pool with clear vision.
31. Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a water rescue. Communicate with others immediately when responding to an incident or an emergency. Must be able to communicate verbally, including projecting their voice across distances; communicate swiftly and clearly with emergency personnel over the telephone and or in person; and effectively give and receive directions.
32. Perform all rescue, resuscitation, and survival skills.
33. Act swiftly in an emergency and take action even when unsure whether a person is really in danger.
34. Sustain and demonstrate the listed physical demands below:
35. Ability to perform the following:

Tread water for 2 minutes (legs only)

Swim 250 yards of front crawl

Swim 50 yards of each:

Front crawl with the head up

Breaststroke

Breaststroke with the head up

Elementary backstroke kick with hands on the chest

Perform a feet-first surface-dive in 8 to 10 feet of water (if branch facility accommodates). Then swim underwater for 15 feet.

Starting in the shallow end of the water, sprint for a distance of approximately 60 feet then perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 8 to 10 feet (if branch facility accommodates).

Pick up an object (dive ring) from the bottom of the pool, surface and tread water for at least one minute with legs only, replace the object back to the bottom of the pool where it was found.

Swim the remaining length to the end of the pool, and hoist yourself out of the water.

Immediately begin CPR on an adult manikin for 2 minutes, stand and listen to directions from the instructor.