Recreation Supervisor - Aquatics bei City of Golden, CO

About the Department

The Aquatics Supervisor is responsible for the leadership, supervision, and overall safety of aquatic operations at the Golden Community Center indoor pool and The Splash Aquatic Park. This position ensures that all programs and facilities operate in full compliance with the American Red Cross lifeguard training and rescue standards and adhere to the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) for water quality, facility operations, and staff training.

Position Duties

• Monitors, evaluates, and enhances aquatic programs to meet community needs and department objectives.
• Initiates innovative program changes based on public interest, safety standards, and operational best practices.
• Coordinates with external agencies, schools, and community partners to promote programming and ensure appropriate resource sharing.
• Oversees the daily operation and maintenance of both the Community Center indoor pool and The Splash Aquatic Park.
• Monitors and maintains all aquatic systems, including water filtration and mechanical operations.
• Conducts and documents regular water chemistry testing, ensuring compliance with MAHC standards and State of Colorado code. 
• Adjusts chemical levels as necessary and maintains all Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and required operational records.
• Ensures facilities meet or exceed all state, local, and Model Aquatic Health Code requirements.
• Ensures all lifeguard staff maintain current American Red Cross certifications and demonstrate proper rescue, CPR, and first aid skills.
• Develops, conducts, and documents ongoing in-service trainings and internal auditing to ensure lifeguards maintain rescue proficiency and operational readiness.
• Implements and enforces all safety rules, emergency action plans, and facility procedures in alignment with Red Cross and MAHC guidelines.
• Monitors on-deck operations and may actively lifeguard or teach swim lessons as needed to ensure safe and effective facility supervision.
• Administers the approved annual aquatics budget, monitors revenues and expenditures, and ensures cost-effective operations.
• Prepares annual budget requests and supports long-range financial planning for aquatic programs and facility improvements.
• Ensures the efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, and facilities.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises work schedules for aquatic staff, ensuring adequate coverage and quality service.
• Oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation for aquatics personnel.
• Maintains current records of staff certifications, training participation, and performance metrics.
• Encourages a positive, team-oriented culture centered on safety, professionalism, and community engagement.
• Directs day-to-day pool monitoring and safety enforcement.
• Oversees coordination of swim lessons, rentals, and special events.
• Regularly reviews operational performance and implements improvements to meet departmental and community goals.
• Serves as a key liaison for facility operations, ensuring seamless coordination between maintenance, programming, and customer service teams.
• Performs additional responsibilities as needed to support department operations and community safety.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises 3 full time aquatics coordinator and 40-60 part-time employees to include lifeguards, instructors, and seasonal employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university. Major course work in parks and recreation, administration, physical education or related field preferred. Minimum two years full-time, full service aquatics facility operation maintenance and supervisory experience. 
 

Valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

Current First Aid and CPR certification.

Certified Pool Operators license (CPO) or Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) preferred. Ability to obtain within 6 months of hire required.

Current Lifeguard certification required.

Current Lifeguard Instructor certification preferred.

Current Lifeguard Instructor Trainer certification preferred.

Current Water Safety Instructor certification referred.

Water Safety Instructor Trainer preferred.

Other Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Must possess outstanding customer service skills and ability to deal with diverse age groups. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Working knowledge and understanding of public relations skills and techniques.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; prepare and write reports, correspondence, and projects. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to work independently and use judgment when making decisions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public and other agencies.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to prepare and interpret annual budget information. 

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to demonstrate effective problem solving skills; to enforce safety practices and procedures to handle emergency and non-emergency situations; and to follow written and verbal instructions. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Proficient knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of program planning, development, implementation, and coordination of programs. Proficient knowledge of the equipment, facilities, operation, and techniques used in a comprehensive community recreation program. Ability to plan, assign, instruct, supervise, effectively schedule, and direct the work of subordinate personnel engaged in carrying out the functions of assigned section. Strong organizational skills with proven ability to multi-task. Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and Outlook; Internet use and Intranet use. Ability to prepare, understand and manage budgets.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED
Computer, printer, copier, phone, and related office equipment necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. City vehicle. Whistle, rescue tube, spine board, rescue equipment and related items necessary for aquatics functions. Use of chlorine and daily use of pool related chemical agents.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift, weight, and/or move up to 75 pounds and occasionally move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

City of Golden is an Equal Opportunity Employer