Coordinator for Aquatics

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POSITION SPECIFICS

Campus Recreation is looking for an experienced and dynamic person to join our team as Coordinator for Aquatics. Campus Recreation is a department within the Division of Student Affairs that provides recreation and wellbeing programs to the campus community through operation and administration of the following: Intramural Building, McCoy Natatorium, Stone Valley Recreation Area, Tennis Center, White Building, Hepper Fitness Center, Aquatics, Athletic Training, Club Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing, Intramural Sports, and Outdoor Adventures. Campus Recreation is comprised of 48 full-time staff and more than 700 student staff members.

Under the supervision and direction of the Assistant Director for Aquatics, the Coordinator for Aquatics will serve on a team responsible for the 12-month operation, programming, and management of McCoy Natatorium's indoor and outdoor pools and the Mary White Building pool. This position carries a high level of autonomy and authority, often functioning as the primary point of contact and decision-maker for operations in the absence of the Assistant Director.

The position is based primarily at the McCoy Natatorium, an 80,000-square-foot aquatics facility featuring three indoor bodies of water: a 6-lane, 25-yard competition pool; a 6-lane, 25-meter recreational pool; and a diving well. During the summer months, operations extend to an adjacent outdoor 25-yard by 50-meter pool, reinforcing the non-stop nature of operations across all seasons. McCoy Natatorium supports a wide range of activities, including informal recreational swimming, academic classes, safety education certifications, youth swim practices, kayak and scuba sessions, and a comprehensive swim lesson program for both youth and adults. The facility also hosts a variety of high-visibility and logistically complex special events, including intercollegiate athletics, Special Olympics, regional competitions, and more, requiring strong project management and problem-solving skills.

The role also includes responsibilities at the Mary White Building, which features a 5-lane, 25-yard pool used for informal recreation and unique aquatic programming, including BOGA fitness and Aqua Roundball events.

The Aquatics program promotes student development and participation in a wide variety of safe, inclusive, and engaging water-based activities that support the health, well-being, and development of the campus community. The Coordinator role supports this mission by managing complex daily operations, guiding student leadership, and ensuring long-term programmatic planning and evaluation.

Specific position responsibilities include:

• Leading the development, management, and 12-month oversight of a comprehensive aquatics program across multiple facilities.

• Oversee the proper execution of programmatic plans by Campus Recreation, mission, vision, and values.

• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate student employees, including Lifeguards, Head Lifeguards, Safety Instructors, and Senior Student Manager.

• Develop and implement leadership training materials, providing mentorship and long-term growth plans for student supervisors.

• Serve as primary contact for daily facility operations, addressing emergent risk, operational challenges, and service recovery with autonomy.

• Ensure the proper compliance with risk management processes and protocols for Aquatics Facilities. Maintain all risk management records according to department and University policy.

• Administer and oversee payroll operations for 80+ student employees, including Lifeguards, Head Lifeguards, and Safety Instructors student staff.

• Review, update, and track all Aquatics records and documents from audits, inspections, work orders, staff certifications, team accountability documentation, etc.

• Train, guide, and provide leadership opportunities to Head Lifeguards and Safety Instructors on all contents of the Aquatics Manual, policies, procedures, etc.

• Coordinate internal and external reservations, including lifeguarding and instructor certification classes.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and adjust based on user feedback, trends, and institutional goals.

• Serve in a leadership capacity during emergency response and in the Aquatics Leadership rotation for meets, matches, and special events.

• Ensure all programming is conducted in accordance with the University, department, NIRSA, and aquatic-specific association risk management standards.

Job Requirements

• Ability to manage complex operations, support a large team, and resolve multi-faceted issues under pressure.

• Independent work on assignments, while reviewing progress and updating the Assistant Director as appropriate.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.

• Attention to detail and the ability to provide and receive feedback.

• Willingness to lead students and work in a team-based environment.

• Eagerness to support and engage with all departmental and Student Affairs initiatives and efforts, including collaborations with campus partners to create meaningful student experiences.

• Ability to take initiative and have flexibility to adapt to shifting workload demands.

• Ability to foster a positive climate among a diverse group of staff, student employees, and participants.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree in recreation, sports management, higher education, or a related field is preferred.

• Current lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor Certification are preferred.

• Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Certification is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in student development is preferred.

• Knowledge of safety and risk management practices as they relate to aquatic facility management is preferred.

• Knowledge of collegiate aquatics programs, including lifeguard training and development, and other aquatic facility management demonstrated through experience in a collegiate setting is preferred.

• A working knowledge of software systems such as Innosoft Fusion, WhenToWork, or similar is preferred.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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