Seattle, Washington
Posted: 24-Apr-25
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Salary Details:
Position Description
University Recreation (UREC) inspires, educates, and empowers the Seattle University community to live happier and healthier lives. In support of the Seattle University mission to educate the whole person, UREC is committed to ensuring the campus recreation experience is positive, inclusive, safe, and transformative. University Recreation (UREC) includes the following program and operational areas: Aquatics, Competitive Sports (intramural sports and sport clubs), Esports, Facilities, Fitness, Marketing, and Outdoor Recreation.
UREC is a part of the Student & Campus Life team within the division of Academic & Student Affairs. We are committed to creating a vital and engaged campus community that challenges and supports undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to learn and develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to lead and serve in an interdependent, global society.
UREC Values: UREC is committed to ensuring the student experience is positive and transformative. We operate by putting students’ needs first.
Growth: UREC believes in a holistic definition of growth for your mind, body, and spirit. Participation with UREC programs is built to foster personal growth.
Community: UREC creates space for individuals to foster connection and meaningful relationships to create a sense of belonging at Seattle University.
Intentionality: UREC works to adapt to the current needs of our SU community and to foster all facets of safety and inclusion through high quality experiences.
Fun: UREC provides opportunities that inspire joy and playfulness.
Care: UREC leads with understanding and empathy to support wellness for the whole person.
PURPOSE
The Assistant Director of University Recreation, Aquatics & Facility Operations is a creative, entrepreneurial, and agile leader who provides management and support for aquatics programs, pool rental agreements, pool maintenance, and facility operations. The Assistant Director leads a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of the Seattle University community, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, and external user groups. The Assistant Director must have a passion for engaging students in meaningful learning outside of the classroom while providing a suite of high-quality programs and services that support the health and wellness of the Seattle University community. This position is also a member of the University Recreation leadership team and supports the department and university through departmental collaboration, representation on committees, working groups, task forces, and other roles outside of the normal day-to-day functions as needed.
Responsibilities
Operations & Administration (50%)
- Develop, manage, implement, promote, and evaluate aquatics programming.
- Schedule, manage, and supervise recreational facility spaces and all aquatics programs and services in the East & West Pools (two, six-lane, 25-yard pools). Partner with Athletics and Facilities on pool schedules, maintenance, and operations.
- Assist with the management of other University Recreation spaces in partnership with Athletics and Facilities Services, including the management of facilities work requests.
- Manages facility operations and aquatics program budgets, including student staff wages, maintenance, and revenue.
- Perform ongoing assessment of facilities operations and aquatics programs, staff, and services. Make recommendations to the Director of University Recreation and summarize the program through an annual report to the Director of University Recreation.
- Manage the maintenance and operation of the aquatics area, including but not limited to ensuring pool chemistry is balanced and the aquatics area is kept in compliance with best practices and the Washington Health Code.
- Collaborate with Facilities Services and non-university contractors/vendors to ensure proper maintenance within the pool facilities.
- Manage relationships, contracts, and schedules with external user groups, identify and contact leads for new user groups, and increase user group revenue by at least 5% per fiscal year.
- Manage access control and communication for outside user groups, including scheduling and contract management.
- Maintain and administer equipment check-out and rental. Oversee locker rentals and operations.
- Address membership concerns and customer service requests for all University Recreation members and guests, specifically those related to the pools and aquatic programs.
Supervision & Leadership (30%)
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise aquatics and operations student staff for lifeguarding, swim instruction, facility management, and member services. Recruit, hire, train, and supervise one part-time Graduate Assistant for aquatics and facility operations support.
- Develop and lead student staff training and professional development opportunities for students and staff.
- Assist with the management and implementation of departmental assessments across all UREC programs.
- Represent the department on division and university-wide committees and coordinate initiatives as appropriate.
- Be an active member in a national organization such as American Red Cross, The Association of Aquatic Professionals, JASPA, ACPA, NIRSA, etc.
- Assist the Associate Director of University Recreation as needed with facility and budget management issues, including assuming their responsibilities in their absence.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Risk Management (20%)
- In consultation with the Director of University Recreation, Facilities, Office of University Counsel, and others, regularly propose revisions to facilities and aquatics policies & procedures. Assist in the development and implementation of the program’s risk management policies.
- Enforce rules and regulations specific to recreational programs and facilities. Ensure immediate incident response and follow up reporting in all areas of responsibility.
- Understand, uphold, and communicate all department risk management policies with student and professional staff. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with university policies.
- Administer education, training, and programming throughout the calendar year, including, but not limited to lifeguard certification courses, CPR/First Aid/AED trainings, and safety seminars.
- Ensure that all aquatics staff maintain appropriate certifications.
- Serve as a member of the departmental emergency response team and designated Building Marshall for the facility.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in recreation, human development, sports management/administration, or a related field.
- Two years of professional experience in the administration of aquatic programs or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
- Lifeguard certification issued by the American Red Cross or YMCA or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
- American Red Cross Lifeguard instructor certification or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
- Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification as issued by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) or an Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification as issued by the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA) or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
- Detail oriented, highly organized individual who has the ability to multitask and the ability to deal with a variety of situations and people in a balanced way.
- Strong computer, organization, and multimedia skills.
- Minimum of two years of experience with student or volunteer supervision, and leadership development or relevant experience.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentations and group facilitation.
- Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
- All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university’s mission, vision and values.
- All positions at Seattle University require a criminal history background check.
Preferred
- Master’s degree in recreation administration, higher education/student affairs, or a closely related discipline.
- Three (3) years of full-time professional experience, preferably in a higher education setting, with previous experience in facility operations, aquatics and budget oversight, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
