Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aquatics Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Aquatics Director leads and manages aquatic facility operations, programming, and staff to deliver safe, high-quality aquatic services. This role combines strategic program development, operational oversight, regulatory compliance, personnel management, and community engagement to maximize patron safety, program participation, and facility performance. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in lifeguard supervision, swim lesson curriculum development, pool chemical and mechanical systems knowledge, budget management, and stakeholder communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Lifeguard / Lead Guard with supervisory experience
Aquatics Coordinator or Swim Program Supervisor
Pool Manager or Assistant Aquatics Director

Advancement To:

Regional Aquatics Manager
Director of Recreation or Parks & Recreation Director
Multi-site Facilities Director or Operations Director

Lateral Moves:

Facility Operations Manager
Health & Safety Manager
Community Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive aquatics program strategy that includes learn-to-swim lessons, competitive training, lap swims, water fitness, summer camps, and community outreach to increase participation and revenue.
Oversee daily pool operations including opening/closing procedures, filtration and circulation monitoring, pool chemical balancing, maintenance scheduling, and emergency equipment checks to ensure a safe aquatic environment.
Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and evaluate all aquatic staff (lifeguards, swim instructors, pool technicians, and seasonal employees) establishing clear performance standards, certifications requirements, and continuing education plans.
Create and manage annual and seasonal aquatics budgets, track revenue and expenditures, prepare financial forecasts, and identify opportunities for cost savings and new revenue streams such as lessons, rentals, events, and sponsorships.
Develop, implement, and enforce comprehensive safety policies, emergency action plans (EAPs), and risk management procedures, including regular emergency drills for staff and coordination with local EMS and public safety agencies.
Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations as well as industry standards (e.g., CDC Model Aquatic Health Code, state health department requirements, pool code) and maintain all required permits and inspection records.
Design evidence-based swim lesson curricula and program schedules tailored to diverse age groups and ability levels, using learning objectives, progression pathways, and assessment tools to measure swimmer development.
Monitor and maintain water quality using standard testing protocols, recordkeeping, and corrective actions for chemical imbalances, bacterial concerns, or mechanical failures; coordinate with licensed pool service providers as needed.
Plan and execute aquatic events, competitions, safety fairs, and community programming that promote aquatics engagement, brand visibility, and partnerships with schools, clubs, and community organizations.
Lead staff scheduling, shift planning, and coverage strategies to ensure adequate lifeguard and instructor presence during all aquatic operations, including peak times, special events, and emergencies.
Implement and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as lesson enrollment, retention rates, facility utilization, incident rates, customer satisfaction, and revenue-per-visit to inform strategic decisions and continuous improvement.
Maintain and inspect life safety equipment, including rescue tubes, spine boards, AEDs, first aid kits, and signage, ensuring immediate readiness and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate preventive maintenance and capital improvement projects for mechanical systems, pool decks, filtration systems, and HVAC, working with facilities teams, contractors, and procurement to maximize uptime and lifespan.
Oversee customer service standards for aquatics, handling escalated patron concerns, incident follow-up, incident reporting, and implementing improvements to enhance the user experience.
Develop marketing and outreach plans in collaboration with communications or membership teams to promote aquatics programming, lessons, membership drives, and special events leveraging social media, email campaigns, and local partnerships.
Maintain computerized records for certifications, staff training, swim lesson progress, incident reports, chemical logs, and inspection results to meet audit-ready documentation standards.
Establish and administer scholarship or subsidy programs to expand access to swim lessons and aquatics services for underserved populations, tracking program impact and funding sources.
Manage vendor relationships including pool equipment suppliers, chemical distributors, lifeguard training providers, and competition timing companies to ensure quality service delivery and favorable contract terms.
Develop succession plans and career pathways for aquatics staff to build bench strength, retain talent, and support future leadership transitions within the aquatics program.
Analyze facility utilization and patron demographics to recommend program expansions, schedule adjustments, or new service lines (e.g., adaptive aquatics, therapeutic swim, senior water exercise) to meet community needs.
Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership, boards, or city councils summarizing program outcomes, safety metrics, budget status, and strategic recommendations.

Secondary Functions

Coordinate with human resources on onboarding, background checks, payroll, and compliance for all aquatics personnel.
Support grant writing and fundraising efforts to secure funding for safety initiatives, facility upgrades, or community swim scholarship programs.
Assist in developing cross-departmental partnerships (parks, youth services, public health) to integrate aquatics into broader community programming.
Provide oversight and training for seasonal lifeguard recruitment campaigns and school partnership swim lesson agreements.
Serve as the on-call point of contact for after-hours aquatic emergencies and contractor coordination.
Participate in leadership meetings to align aquatics objectives with organizational goals and contribute to strategic planning.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Lifeguard supervision and management with certified experience in overseeing large teams of lifeguards and swim instructors.
Certified in American Red Cross / YMCA / Ellis & Associates / state-recognized Lifeguard Training programs (as applicable) and ability to certify/train staff.
CPR, AED, and First Aid Instructor certification or demonstrable instructor experience to deliver staff and community training.
Proficient knowledge of pool chemistry, water quality testing, and corrective action protocols (e.g., testing for chlorine, pH, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and combined chlorine).
Familiarity with pool mechanical systems including pumps, filters, heaters, and automated chemical controllers; ability to diagnose common mechanical and circulation issues.
Experience with emergency action plan (EAP) development, incident investigation, and standardized incident reporting.
Budget development and financial management skills including forecasting, P&L oversight, and revenue optimization for programming.
Program design and curriculum development for learn-to-swim, competitive swim, adaptive aquatics, and water fitness classes.
Scheduling and workforce management tools usage, including staff scheduling software and shift planning for seasonal operations.
Data-driven program evaluation skills, including tracking KPIs, creating enrollment reports, and using metrics to optimize operations.
Knowledge of applicable local and state health codes, safety regulations, and accreditation standards (e.g., MAHC familiarity).
Vendor and contract management experience, including procurement for chemicals, equipment, and facility services.
Proficiency with common office and facility management software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, facility reservation platforms, ADA-compliant registration portals).

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team development skills with a track record of motivating seasonal and full-time staff.
Excellent communication skills for public speaking, staff instruction, stakeholder reporting, and conflict resolution.
High attention to detail and situational awareness when managing safety, chemical records, and incident documentation.
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to resolve escalations and deliver a positive community experience.
Problem-solving and critical thinking under pressure, especially during emergency response situations.
Time management and organizational skills to balance programming, maintenance, staffing, and administrative duties.
Collaborative approach and ability to build cross-functional relationships with parks, health, and community partners.
Adaptability and resilience in seasonal environments with variable demand and changing regulatory requirements.
Cultural competence and commitment to inclusive programming for diverse community populations.
Coaching and mentoring skills to develop lifeguards and instructors into future leaders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Preferred Education:

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management, Kinesiology, Aquatic Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Recreation or Parks & Recreation Management
Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Physical Education
Facility Management or Public Administration
Emergency Management or Health Sciences

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7+ years in aquatics, including at least 1–3 years in a supervisory or management role.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive aquatics experience with demonstrated leadership in program growth, staff development, and facility operations.
Experience managing budgets, multi-site operations, or municipal/community pools is highly desirable.
Demonstrated success in community engagement, swim lesson program development, and compliance with health and safety regulations.