What does an Aquatics Director do?
Published 4 min read
Aquatics Directors are responsible for the overall operation of the Aquatic Center, including program development, budgeting, staffing, and facility maintenance. They also develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the safety of patrons and staff. In addition, Aquatics Directors oversee the training of lifeguards and swim instructors.
Aquatics Director job duties include:
- Oversee all aspects of the Aquatics Department including, but not limited to, budgeting, scheduling, program development, and personnel management.
- Hire, train, and supervise aquatics staff including lifeguards, swim instructors, and pool managers.
- Develop and implement aquatic programming for all ages and abilities including swim lessons, water exercise classes, open swim times, and special events.
- Ensure that all aquatics facilities are well-maintained and operated in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Perform regular safety inspections of all aquatics facilities and equipment.
- Investigate accidents/incidents that occur in the aquatics facilities and take appropriate corrective action.
- Keep abreast of new trends and developments in the aquatics field through professional associations, trade publications, etc.
- Prepare reports on a regular basis documenting departmental activities and accomplishments.
- Serve as a liaison between the Aquatics Department and other departments within the organization.
Aquatics Director Job Requirements
An Aquatics Director is responsible for the overall operation of the aquatics program. They must have a bachelor's degree in recreation, physical education, or a related field. They must also have CPR and First Aid certification. They should have at least three years of experience working in an aquatics setting.
Aquatics Director Skills
- Aquatics
- Management
- Communication
- Leadership
- Organizational
- Interpersonal
- Budgeting
- Planning
- Marketing
- Customer Service
- Operations
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How to become an Aquatics Director
The first step to becoming an Aquatics Director is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in recreation, physical education, or a related field. Many Aquatics Directors have a master’s degree in recreation administration or a related field. It is also important to have several years of experience working in the aquatics field as a lifeguard, swim instructor, or pool manager. Once you have the necessary education and experience, you can apply for jobs at recreation centers, YMCAs/YWCAs, community pools, or other organizations that offer aquatics programs.
To be successful as an Aquatics Director, you must be organized and efficient in order to manage the many aspects of running an aquatics program. You will need to be able to hire and train staff, create schedules, oversee maintenance of the pool and equipment, and develop marketing and promotional plans. You must also be able to budget for your program and ensure that it is run safely and in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. Excellent customer service skills are essential in order to build relationships with swimmers, their families, and other members of the community.
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