Boat Director

General Functions

In accordance with the Christian principles of the YMCA, this summer position involves providing a safe and successful aquatic program for summer campers and staff ensuring their safety, well-being, happiness, growth and development. The Aquatics Director assures all aquatic activities have safe equipment and well trained staff. The Aquatics Director is the primary staff member working with the lifeguards and is responsible for supporting staff, upholding and enforcing all policies and procedures, planning activities, gathering supplies, leading activities, building a positive staff culture and being present as a mentor. This position will schedule waterski/wakeboard specialty camp, all waterfront and pool activities along with other aquatic requests.

Principle Activities:

• Lead assigned sessions during staff training.
• Support all staff at camp and know how to inspire them to be great leaders with our campers.
• Be responsible for the safety, health, welfare and happiness of each staff member and camper in your program.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Assure ACA, Department of Health and YMCA of Greater Birmingham standards are followed at the waterfront and pool as well as on all boats and vessels.
• Assure all activity equipment is properly cared for, returned where it belongs and reported to the Activities Director if replacement is needed. All boats should be covered daily and equipment accounted for and stored at the end of each day.
• Oversee following activities: canoe, sailing, waterski, wakeboard, speedboats, pontoon boat, tubing and banana boat.
• Perform maintenance checks on all owned and leased boats as needed. All boats requiring further maintenance attention should be reported to the Sr. Program Director or Executive Director.
• Adhere to schedules and planned activities of the camp.
• Support the decision of camp leaders and work in unison with Activities Director and Cabin Life Director to assure a safe and excellent camp program.
• Notify the Cabin Life Director and Activities Director of all incidents, behavior concerns and discipline problems.
• Create an environment that cares for staff and campers socially, emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
• Plan, direct and supervise a safe and fun aquatic boating program.
• Set daily and session schedules for all boat drivers.
• Work with the Activities Director to schedule waterski/wakeboard specialty camp, regular aquatic activities and other aquatic requests.
• Daily documentation and safety observations and boat conditions.
• Evaluate the skills of boat drivers and mentor as needed.
• Drive for activity sessions as needed.
• Assist with other camp activities as needed including, but not limited to: Check in day, check out day, evening program and meals.

Employees and volunteers who directly supervise children and teens will:

• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with children and teens
• Attend required abuse risk management training annually
• Adhere to procedures for managing high-risk activities and supervising children and teens.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

Effects on End Result

The effectiveness of this position can be measured by an Aquatics Director who shows an aptitude to lead in an attitude of enthusiasm of service to others providing a safe and engaging program that builds a positive image of Camp Cosby and the YMCA. Successful completion of this position will result in staff and campers who have greater skills in our aquatic activities.

Know How:

• Belief in the YMCA Mission and sets an example of high moral standards. Christian character and values.
• An attitude of teamwork and enthusiasm of service to others.
• Have 2 years of prior experience with children preferably in a camp setting.
• Current lifeguard certification.
• Preferably certified boat driver, Lifeguard Instructor and Swim Instructor.
• Prior experience in a leadership position.
• Physical ability to cover entire campgrounds and participate in all camp activities.
• Ability to positively work with staff from different backgrounds.
• Train and mentor staff to work safely at the waterfront and pool.
• Know all Camp Cosby and YMCA of Greater Birmingham policies and procedures, adhere to these policies and assure all staff adhere to these policies.
• Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certifications.
• Must be 18 years of age or older