Aquatics Program Coordinator

General Description

As the largest city in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan statistical area (MSA), North Port is home to over 85,000 residents. It is the second fastest-growing City in the United States. The average age of our residents is 46.1, and more than 13,652 school-age students call North Port home.

The City’s Parks & Recreation Department promotes health and wellness. It drives economic opportunity with 27 parks and facilities, several hundred acres of green spaces, 19 sports fields/courts, and an array of year-round programs, events, and activities for residents and visitors. The Department is Accredited through the National Recreation and Parks Association Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies and is 1 of 203 agencies to achieve this credential nationwide.

The Department is seeking a dynamic Aquatics Program Coordinator! This role is not just about managing aquatic facilities but about making a real difference in the community. Responsibilities include leading lifeguards, promoting water safety, and organizing programs and events. Other duties include coaching and guiding staff, managing budgets, and accurate record-keeping. With leadership and enthusiasm, this role makes every day at the pool a positive experience for our residents and visitors, contributing to the overall quality of life in North Port!

Essential Job Functions

• Develops, plans, promotes, implements, and reviews many aquatics programs, activities, and special events.
• Assists with maintaining a safe aquatic facility which may include providing work direction to staff, providing real time feedback, and noting suggestions and comments for supervisor’s review.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises staff on operational procedures and policies.
• Monitors program and facility budgets and tracks revenue expenditures and procurement needs.
• Serves as first-level contact responding and documenting incidents that may occur when other lifeguard staff needs assistance.
• May assist with implementing in-service training sessions, swimming/ recreational programs, and events.
• Ensures that medical assistance, including CPR and First Aid, is readily available and follows appropriate reporting requirements when necessary.
• Generates reports and drafts memorandums and correspondence as needed.
• Maintains and tracks appropriate records and documentation.
• Develop public relations strategies and promotional materials.
• Attend monthly in-service training.
• Attend and coordinate in-service training sessions, swimming/recreational programs, and events.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the aquatics field.
• Knowledge of budget development and management.
• Skilled in using small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Skilled in using computers for data entry, word processing, and accounting.
• Ability to organize and communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other government agencies and the public, especially the youth.
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to understand and enforce rules and regulations.
• Ability to this clearly in emergencies when necessary.
• Ability to plan, organize, and use mature judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions following established policy.
• Ability to physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard.
• Must be able to meet the ARC Lifeguard prerequisites.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere in the zone of responsibility, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

• Associate degree from and accredited college or university in recreation, physical education, education, or public administration.
• Two (2) years of experience in aquatics programming, including, planning, organizing, and instruction.
• Two (2) years of paid lifeguard experience or previous lifeguard supervisory experience required.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Currently nationally accredited Lifeguard Certification and/or First Aid and CPR.

(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.
• Possession of or ability to obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification or equivalent or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Aquatics Facility Operator preferred.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPPR) preferred.

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Hiring Range Statement

Please note, the hiring pay range for this position is the minimum up to a rate equal to or less than the midpoint of the salary range.

Vets Preference Statement

The City of Nort Port, FL is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.

Aetna – Health Insurance

The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.

Cigna Dental– Dental Insurance

The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.

EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance

The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.

Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance

The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.

Cigna – Short Term Disability

The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.

E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account

A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.

Trustmark– Supplemental Polices

Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.

LifeLock Benefit Solutions

Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.

ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans

The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.

Florida Retirement System – FRS

Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.

Cigna – Employee Assistance Program

The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.

VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance

The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.

Florida Prepaid College Board

Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.

Educational Assistance Program

Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).

Paid Holidays

The City observes 13 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave and Annual Leave

Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment. Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll. Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.

Sick Leave Incentive

Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank. Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.

Personal Leave

Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours. This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an "immediate family member".