Assistant Director for Aquatics

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including the newly established School of Medicine.

About the Role

The Assistant Director for Aquatics is crucial to the successful operation and management of the shared-use Ramsey Student Center. The position reports directly to the Senior Associate Director for Facilities and works as an integral member of the Recreational Sports Staff in pursuing and achieving the departmental vision and mission. The Assistant Director is primarily responsible for the development, management, and successful operation of the Gabrielsen Natatorium. This position leads in the recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, supervision, and evaluation of one Senior Coordinator, two-shared Maintenance Foremen, Program Assistants, Aquatic Managers, as well as 75-100 part-time lifeguards. Additionally, this position supports programs sponsored by the Department of Recreational Sports, the College of Education, and the UGA Athletic Association. This position also serves as a liaison with the UGA Facility Management Division (FMD) in the management of natatorium operations as well as providing some evening and weekend facility support, special event coordination, etc., as needed. This person will assist with the supervision of swim meets as well as have a strong collaborative approach to working with intercollegiate athletics and various age group swim clubs.

Additional expectations include the ability to serve as essential personnel and/or part of an essential personnel pool, meaning this position will/could be required to report to campus in the event of inclement weather or other designated emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Facility Management (45% of time):
  • Plan, manage, and supervise the daily operations of Gabrielsen Natatorium.
  • Schedule and implement informal recreation activities and events.
  • Supervise aquatic special events conducted by intercollegiate athletics, student groups, university departments, and community groups.
  • Coordinate with pool operators regarding pool chemical treatment needs and annual maintenance projects.
• Personnel Management (45% of time):
  • Supervise one full-time Senior Coordinator and two shared maintenance foremen.
  • Actively participate in and promote the engagement, development, and retention of each staff member.
  • Recruit, train, motivate, and supervise 75-100 student lifeguards and aquatic managers.
  • Recruit, train, motivate, and supervise qualified instructor personnel for non-credit instruction, including children’s swim lessons, adult swim clinics, American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, Community First Aid and Safety, WSI, LGI, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Conduct evaluations for instructors.
  • Organize and lead manager meetings, monthly lifeguard training reviews, and plan semester in-service training for all Aquatics staff.
  • Continuously review and update employee manuals.
• Program Management, Operations, And Strategic Planning (10% of time):
  • Assist with the development and management of Aquatics budget for programs and facility upkeep.
  • Monitor and maintain program and operating supplies, equipment orders, and student payroll costs.
  • Develop and implement informal Aquatics programming for the Department of Recreational Sports.
  • Serve as the lead on state health inspections.
  • Assist in program planning to incorporate Divisional priorities as they relate to the Student Affairs strategic plan and student learning priorities.
  • Actively incorporate Departmental Vision, Mission, and Values into staff training and development.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Director of Recreational Sports or Senior Associate Director of Facilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Hold or be eligible for certification as a Lifeguard Instructor, Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard, and Certified Pool Operator.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, work schedules, and operational needs, including providing evening and weekend facility support and coordinating special events as needed.
• Ability to lead and manage a team, including hiring, training, scheduling, supervision, and evaluation of staff members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with different departments and organizations to support programs and events.
• Possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years of professional Aquatics experience.
• 3 – 5 years of professional experience in a recreational sports setting.
• Current American Red Cross certification or ability to obtain within 1 month of hire.

Skills & Physical Demands

• Move throughout the 440,000 sq. ft. Ramsey Student Center and the Recreational Sports Field Complex.
• Stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally climb up and down ladders and over small retaining walls.
• Walk across narrow accesses such as 1.5 ft. trails and 4’ wide bulkheads.
• Operate department-owned vehicles to run job-related errands.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
• Distinguish between non-toxic air flow and noxious odors such as chlorine and gas.

Driving is a responsibility of this position.

Pay

Advertised salary: $58,000 - $62,000.

Schedule

Full-time. Monday-Friday with additional nights and weekends to meet departmental deadlines.