What are the responsibilities and job description for the Aquatic and Training Director position at Whatcom Family YMCA?
Make a Splash in Your Career! Become Our Aquatics & Training Director
Do you believe every child should know how to swim? Are you passionate about water safety, developing staff, and creating memorable experiences for people of all ages? If so, we'd love to have you lead our aquatics team!
At the Whatcom Family YMCA, we're more than a pool—we're a community. Every swim lesson builds confidence, every lifeguard keeps our community safe, and every program helps strengthen families. As our Aquatics & Training Director, you'll lead an exciting and growing aquatics program while developing the next generation of aquatic professionals.
What You'll Do
As the Aquatics & Training Director, you'll oversee the day-to-day operations and long-term success of our aquatics programs, including:
- Youth & Adult Swim Lessons
- Competitive Swim Team
- Lifeguard Certification Courses
- Water Safety Education
- Special Events & Aquatic Programming
You'll also serve as the YMCA's lead trainer for aquatic safety by developing staff, coordinating certifications, and ensuring our aquatics teams across the association are trained, confident, and prepared.
No two days are the same! One day you may be coaching swim instructors, the next you're planning a community event, teaching a lifeguard certification course, collaborating with families, or developing innovative ways to grow participation.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Lead and grow high-quality aquatic programs that serve youth, adults, and families.
- Recruit, hire, coach, schedule, and develop a team of lifeguards, swim instructors, and volunteers.
- Develop and implement an association-wide aquatics training program that supports staff development and certification compliance.
- Teach and coordinate certifications including Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, and YMCA Swim Instructor training.
- Oversee program budgets, registrations, scheduling, and daily operations.
- Ensure programs meet YMCA standards and all applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
- Build meaningful relationships with participants, families, schools, and community partners.
- Promote water safety while creating welcoming, inclusive experiences for everyone.
- Collaborate with YMCA departments to deliver outstanding member and participant experiences.
- Support fundraising efforts, special events, and community outreach initiatives.
We're Looking for Someone Who...
- Loves developing people and helping others succeed.
- Is passionate about water safety and youth development.
- Enjoys balancing leadership, operations, and hands-on program delivery.
- Can build strong relationships with staff, families, and community partners.
- Thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
- Brings energy, positivity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Why Work at the Y?
When you join the Whatcom Family YMCA, you're joining a team dedicated to strengthening our community every day. We invest in our employees because we know they're the heart of our mission.
As a YMCA employee, you'll enjoy:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- YMCA membership
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Professional development and certification opportunities
- Opportunities for advancement and career growth
- A collaborative, supportive team environment
- The opportunity to make a lasting impact on children, families, and our community
Ready to Dive In?
If you're excited to lead a dynamic aquatics program, inspire a talented team, and help create safe, positive experiences for our community, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help make every splash count at the Whatcom Family YMCA!
Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in aquatic programming or facility management, with a proven track record of leadership and program management.
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Education, or related field preferred.
- Current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification, YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor Trainer, and CPR/AED/First Aid instructor certification or ability to obtain.
- One year or more of supervising experience including paid and volunteer position.
- Minimum age of 21 years or older.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and teams effectively.
- Passionate about serving youth and families, with a commitment to the YMCA mission.
- An understanding of positive youth development principles and experience in sports program implementation.
- Strong knowledge of YMCA aquatics standards, risk management, and emergency procedures.
- Strong communication skills with youth and adults is essential.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Within 30 days of hire, completion of Child Abuse Prevention, Working with Program Volunteers, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens training.
- Within 6 months of hire, completion of the POOL Operators Certification.
- Completion of YMCA program-specific training.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
- The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Salary : $30 - $37