Aquatics Director/Assistant Swim Coach

Position Summary:

Job Description:

Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Aquatics Director/Assistant Swim Coach.  The position reports to the Head Swim Coach and is supported by 10-15 student employees.

Responsibilities:  The Aquatics Director/Assistant Swim Coach is responsible for managing operations of aquatics facilities, policies, and pool schedule for open swim, swim activities, swimming programs, excellent skilled instruction, training, and strategies to achieve success. Supervise the day-to-day activities of staff and volunteers including teaching aquatic safety and certifications as needed. Oversees the organization, implementation, promotion and evaluation of the aquatics programs and facilities to include collegiate use, collegiate extra-curricular use, community use and pool programming. Adheres to aquatic safety guidelines and university procedures. This includes payroll, billing and collecting charges for non-collegiate use of the pool, equipment purchases and other miscellaneous expenditures. 

This position also coordinates and oversees the recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, certification and performance of employees working as lifeguards. This includes teaching lifeguarding, CPR, water safety and all other required certifications.  Cover any lifeguard needs for scheduling conflicts. Assists in the maintenance of the pools, to include chemistry, climate control, cleanliness and related pool needs. Assist in maintenance and repair of aquatics facilities and equipment. Responsible for working with the Athletics Facilities & Operations Coordinator to ensure that the pool facility is clean and in good repair.  This includes scheduling appropriate time for routine and deep cleaning as well as maintenance, both routine and preventative, of all pool systems.

The Aquatic Director/Assistant Swim Coach has knowledge of USA Swimming/FINA Swimming, RMAC Conference, and NCAA Swimming rules and regulations. Assists the Head Coach to organize/conduct practice sessions, recruiting student athletes, monitoring academic progress of student athletes through academic advising and referrals, and recommend athletes for awards.  The Aquatic Director/ Assistant Swim Coach assumes responsibility for enforcing training rules and monitoring the conduct of student athletes when representing Western Colorado University both on and off campus.  Ensures institutional compliance of the program by adhering to all policies and procedures of the NCAA, RMAC Conference and USA Swimming organizations.  

In addition to excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills the Aquatic Director will set up and tear down all equipment, spectator seating, and pool deck for all swim team home meets. Operate and maintain the Colorado Timing System during all home meets. Provide information about aquatics programs to schools, community service groups and the general public.  Develop flyers, brochures, and advertisements as needed to promote aquatic programming. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of management level experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree required.

Position Summary:

Job Description:

Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Aquatics Director/Assistant Swim Coach.  The position reports to the Head Swim Coach and is supported by 10-15 student employees.

Responsibilities:  The Aquatics Director/Assistant Swim Coach is responsible for managing operations of aquatics facilities, policies, and pool schedule for open swim, swim activities, swimming programs, excellent skilled instruction, training, and strategies to achieve success. Supervise the day-to-day activities of staff and volunteers including teaching aquatic safety and certifications as needed. Oversees the organization, implementation, promotion and evaluation of the aquatics programs and facilities to include collegiate use, collegiate extra-curricular use, community use and pool programming. Adheres to aquatic safety guidelines and university procedures. This includes payroll, billing and collecting charges for non-collegiate use of the pool, equipment purchases and other miscellaneous expenditures. 

This position also coordinates and oversees the recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, certification and performance of employees working as lifeguards. This includes teaching lifeguarding, CPR, water safety and all other required certifications.  Cover any lifeguard needs for scheduling conflicts. Assists in the maintenance of the pools, to include chemistry, climate control, cleanliness and related pool needs. Assist in maintenance and repair of aquatics facilities and equipment. Responsible for working with the Athletics Facilities & Operations Coordinator to ensure that the pool facility is clean and in good repair.  This includes scheduling appropriate time for routine and deep cleaning as well as maintenance, both routine and preventative, of all pool systems.

The Aquatic Director/Assistant Swim Coach has knowledge of USA Swimming/FINA Swimming, RMAC Conference, and NCAA Swimming rules and regulations. Assists the Head Coach to organize/conduct practice sessions, recruiting student athletes, monitoring academic progress of student athletes through academic advising and referrals, and recommend athletes for awards.  The Aquatic Director/ Assistant Swim Coach assumes responsibility for enforcing training rules and monitoring the conduct of student athletes when representing Western Colorado University both on and off campus.  Ensures institutional compliance of the program by adhering to all policies and procedures of the NCAA, RMAC Conference and USA Swimming organizations.  

In addition to excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills the Aquatic Director will set up and tear down all equipment, spectator seating, and pool deck for all swim team home meets. Operate and maintain the Colorado Timing System during all home meets. Provide information about aquatics programs to schools, community service groups and the general public.  Develop flyers, brochures, and advertisements as needed to promote aquatic programming. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of management level experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree required.

• Previous collegiate level swimmer or coaching experience as club swim coach or NCAA swimming coach 

• Valid driver’s license.  

• Water Safety Instructor Trainer, CPR/ First Aid with Red Cross AED/Oxygen Knowledge / Lifeguard or a willingness to get all listed certifications prior to start date. 

• Knowledge of coaching methods. 

• Ability to travel, including domestic/international air travel, and availability to work days/nights/weekends/holidays. 

• Knowledge of all RMAC Conference and NCAA rules/bylaws. 

• Able to be a positive representative of the Western Colorado University at all times. 

• Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student-athletes and the general student body. 

Preferred Qualifications:   

• Three years collegiate swim coaching experience.   

• Certified Pool Operator 

• Chemical Testing

• Pool System Operations

• Swim Programming/Lessons Programming experience

Compensation: $40,560 This position is FLSA exempt Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

Application Procedure:  Apply online at www.Western.edu/jobs . Required attachments for online application include a letter of application addressed to Associate Athletic Director of Business Operations Kaylee Summers, resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please direct questions to the search committee chair at ksummers@western.edu .

Application deadline is April 15th, 2026 at 11:59pm (MDT.)

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

It is the ongoing policy and practice of Western Colorado University to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants.  No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local law.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

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