WATERFRONT DIRECTOR - Summer Camp 2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is a seasonal role from June - August and supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Waterfront Director will provide overall leadership and management to all aquatic activities at YMCA Camp Lincoln. The Waterfront Director is responsible for safety at the waterfront, scheduling lifeguards, administrative tasks, swim lesson implementation, development/ program evaluation, risk management, and emergency response. The Waterfront Director also serves a member of the senior staff team and is charged with high level leadership across the camp operation. The Waterfront Director is expected to lead by example and inspire those around them.?

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee the daily operations of all waterfront programs including swim lessons and free swim for campers entering grades K-9th.
• Supervise and evaluate 20-30 lifeguards. Coordinate with Program Coordinators to schedule lifeguards at the necessary ratios at all times.
• Delegate and support staff assigned to the waterfront area in facilitating activities, providing supervision, and lifeguarding activities.
• Oversee Swim Lesson Program Lead coordinating and documenting hundreds of lessons daily.
• Maintain strict safety protocol for all aquatic programs according to Camp Lincoln’s policies and industry standards.
• Act as leader in all emergency response drills leading all dive and walk lines.
• Prepare program supplies for activities ahead of program start time.
• Responsible for inspecting all equipment for functionality and safety before each use as well as proper records and storage after use.
• Work closely with the Assistant Camp Director to maintain a high level of program quality.
• Lead regular in-service trainings and staff meetings for all lifeguards.
• Assist with special events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2 years leadership and childcare experience.
• Lifeguard Certification required.
• Experience managing a similar sized aquatic facility.
• Teaching, facilitating, teambuilding experience preferred.
• Supervisory and staff development experience preferred.
• Prior experience working with children preferred.
• Familiarity with various outdoor activities.
• Strong working knowledge of computers and all common programs such as Word and Excel.
• Administrative experience.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities to others and support them in their endeavors as necessary.
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information.
• Energetic and positive personality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to respond to critical incidents and act swiftly in emergency situations.
• Must be able to complete YMCA required training as scheduled by management.
• Must maintain updated certifications of the job (CPR and First Aid/AED).
• Must successfully clear FBI and state criminal background checks.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Ability to push, pull, bend and kneel regularly.
• Ability to communicate verbally (in-person and on phone) and in writing is essential.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
• Ability to view and enter data on computer for long periods of time.

Southern District YMCA is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of SDYMCA to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or genetic information.