Aquatics Director – Chinatown Y

Careers by Empowering Futures, Building Communities  

Imagine going to work each day knowing that your efforts positively impact individuals and communities. As a global movement and the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco offers more than just a job—we offer a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in your community. At the Y, you can uncover your passion and build a lifelong career addressing some of the nation’s most pressing social issues. 

Our Organizational Culture  

At the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, we are committed to demonstrating values that aim to building strong communities where you can Be, Belong and Become. With Truth & Courage, we strive to understand and act on individual and societal truths. We ensure a safe and inclusive environment with Authenticity & Accessibility, allowing everyone to participate according to their needs. Our approach is Dependable & Creative, as we respond to community needs through strong partnerships. Above all, we embody Dignity & Empathy, treating everyone with respect and compassion, and recognizing the inherent dignity in all individuals. 

Position Summary 

Under the supervision of the Associate Executive Director, the Aquatics Director is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the branch’s aquatics programs. This includes leading program development and driving program growth to maximize pool usage and ensuring the effective operation of ongoing programs. The role involves managing the aquatics department and its staff, including recruiting, hiring, training, certifying, supervising, and scheduling team members such as the aquatics coordinator, swim instructors, lifeguards, and swim coaches. 

The Aquatics Director is responsible for maintaining a safe and inclusive aquatic environment. This role involves collaborating with local schools and community organizations to build relationships, recruit aquatics staff, and grow programming. Additional responsibilities include managing group lessons, private lessons, and swim team programs in partnership with the aquatics coordinator(s). The Aquatics Director will lead regular staff meetings, in-service sessions, and branch-wide trainings to promote professional development and maintain high standards of safety and quality. 

This is an exempt position. 

Job Responsibilities 

Staff Management & Development 

• Recruit, hire, train, develop, and manage all aquatics staff, ensuring appropriate certification and safety standards. 

• Develop strategies to motivate staff and achieve performance goals, providing regular feedback and mentoring. 

• Manage scheduling for lifeguards and swim team coaches to ensure complete coverage of programming. 

• Ensure swim lesson instructors and lifeguards meet safety expectations and maintain current certifications. 

• Lead lifeguard staff meetings and trainings as required. 

Aquatics Program Management 

• Supervise aquatic program activities to ensure alignment with department and branch objectives. 

• Collaborate with the aquatics coordinator to deliver swim lessons according to Y standards and evaluate program effectiveness. 

• Enforce national and SF Association safety and program standards in collaboration with branch aquatics staff. 

• Host and teach quarterly lifeguard certification classes, maintaining tracking systems for participation and attendance. 

• Collaborate with the aquatics coordinator to organize Safety Around Water Week and/or summer splash camps. 

Safety & Compliance 

• Conduct weekly audits of the lifeguard team through drills and quick checks to ensure safety. 

• Enforce health and safety regulations to prevent accidents and maintain safety standards in the pool area. 

• Stay informed about developments in aquatics by reading, and attending conferences, workshops, trainings, and clinics. 

Customer Service & Community Engagement 

• Provide excellent customer service and engage Y members at the facility. 

• Communicate regularly with the associate executive director, aquatics coordinator, and staff regarding updates on programming. 

Administrative & Operational Support 

• Regularly update marketing materials (flyers, website, social media, external signage) and manage the pool schedule, both paper and online. 

• Support volunteer recruitment for the branch Annual Giving Campaign. 

Fiscal Management 

• Adhere to budget expectations, demonstrating fiscal stewardship, and manage the aquatics budget to meet financial goals. 

Qualifications 

• 21+ years old. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. 

• 3+ years of experience in aquatics programming. 

• 3+ years of experience in supervisory and budget management. 

• Availability to work afternoons, evenings, and weekends as needed. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel. 

• Current certifications in CPR/AED, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, American Red Cross Lifeguard, American Red Cross Lifeguard Trainer, YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor and YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor Trainer.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bilingual in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin or other languages.     

Work Environment & Physical Demands 

The work environment is primarily indoors within the pool area, with occasional outdoor responsibilities depending on program needs. The role may also require time spent at a desk for administrative tasks, such as scheduling, budgeting, and communication. The position involves frequent interaction with staff, participants, and community members in a dynamic and fast-paced setting. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, and the role may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate program schedules.  

The physical demands of this role include frequent standing, walking, and sitting, along with occasional bending, lifting, and carrying equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The position requires the ability to respond quickly to emergencies, which may involve entering the water to assist or perform rescues. The ability to stay alert and maintain a high level of energy throughout work hours is essential for ensuring safety and effective program delivery. 

Disclaimers 

• Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check. 

• All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA of Greater San Francisco promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact your manager if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties. 

• This job description may not be all-inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed. 

• Job offers are conditional and contingent upon background clearance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and CA Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. 

Salary Description 

The Aquatics Director position offers a compensation range of $68,640 – $75,000 per year. This rate is based on salary benchmarking for similar roles and is aligned with grant fund approvals and requirements for the position.