Supervisor, Aquatics

Description
Supervisor, Aquatics (C owan R ecreation C entre )

Job S tatus: Permanent Full-Time

Pay & Grade: $ 83,997 to $104,997 Annually Grade/Band : 9

Hours of Work : 35 Hours per week, including evenings, weekends and holidays

Initial location: Kitchener City Hall

Posting period: Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025 – Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 (at 6:00pm)

Overview
We're building something extraordinary for our community and beyond - the Cowan Recreation C entre , a state-of-the-art destination for sport, fitness, and community connection.

Opening late 2026, this all-season multi-use recreation complex will feature an impressive lineup of amenities: a large aquatics centre with two stainless steel pools, a FIFA-sized indoor turf field, a versatile quad gymnasium, an indoor walking track, two dedicated cricket practice nets, and four multi-purpose rooms for community programs and events.

We are looking for a collaborative and energetic leader who is passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and engaging aquatic experiences for the community

Reporting to the Manager, C RC, as Supervisor of Aquatics at the Cowan Recreation C entre , t his position will be accountable for the daily operation of the aquatic s facilit y including supervising staff and volunteers; administering facility budgets; developing and scheduling programs to meet the community needs such as camp programs, recreational swims, lessons, fitness classes and skill development courses to patrons of all ages and abilities.

If you're ready to be part of the leadership team at one of Ontario's most ambitious recreational facilities — where the community comes together to Connect , where athletes from across Kitchener, Ontario, and Canada come to Compete , and where we all truly Belong — we want to hear from you

Responsibilities

• Provide s leadership for one full-time coordinator, and part time employees (Head Guards , Instructor Guards, Aqua Fitness Instructors and Aquatic Assistants )
• Develop s employee schedules based on qualifications, skill set, and employee availability.
• Utilize s employee recognition programs and team events to create a positive workplace culture.
• Works with the Aquatics team to develop a city-wide plan for the Learn to Swim program and other aquatic programs.
• Plan s strategically for recruitment, retention, and succession planning of aquatic team.
• Coach es and mentor s team for success through effective performance management strategies.
• Develop s comprehensive training plan that addresses the following: effective safety supervision, customer service expectations, rescue response, skill retention, swim instruction, & service delivery shortfalls.
• Review s and update s procedures and processes for the facilit y as required related to operations, safety, and customer service.
• Investigate s accidents and develop s action plans to prevent reoccurrence.
• Develop s short- and long-term asset management plans.
• Develop s a balanced offering of diverse and inclusive programs that are accessible for all ages and meet the needs of the community.
• Assess es customer feedback through web surveys and feedback forms. Ensure s that escalated customer service issues are addressed.
• Monitor s participation and registration patterns to determine operating hours, program offerings, and staffing levels.
• Develop s , administe r s , and monitor s aquatics operating budget and amend s activities to ensure budget compliance.
• Identif ies and develop grants and sponsorship opportunities either directly or in conjunction with partners and other aquatic supervisors.
• Collaborate s with other Kitchener Aquatic Supervisors and Manager of Aquatics on strategic initiatives such as the Swim to Survive program, drowning prevention, and shared best practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements
Education & Certifications

• Minimum 3-year degree/diploma
• National Lifeguard Certifications
• Lifesaving and swim instructors
• Standard First Aid and CPR C
• Aquatic Supervisor Training
• Additional trainer certifications would be considered an asset

Experience

• 2-4 years' experience in a similar role or related experience

Work Environment

• Will be expected to work flexible hours (outside of Mon-Fri, 9 to 5), including evenings, weekends, and holidays through a rotating schedule with facility management team.
• Will be scheduled on rotation with facility management team to respond to emergencies outside of working hours

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Aquatic and safety knowledge is required to appropriately plan, direct, and implement programs and make decisions in an aquatic environment.
• Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures to plan and implement customer service, financial and project management processes.
• Knowledge of Ontario Health Regulations, TSSA standards for water slides.
• Communication and human relations skills to effectively interact and problem-solve with staff, volunteers, and partners within a diverse community setting.
• Leadership skills such as training, coaching, and mentoring, to relay the physical, physiological, and safety aspects of swimming and aquatic exercise to employees.
• Experience in dealing with medical emergencies and pool rescues.
• Proven abilities with software programs such as Microsoft Office and Outlook, facility scheduling software, financial and budget software.
• Ability to assess community indicators, to identify gaps and to create programs that fulfil legitimate needs.
• Ability to maintain working relationships with community partners to develop collaborative community programs, services, and initiatives.
• Prioritization and organization skills are required to co-ordinate staff work schedules for the efficient provision of quality programs.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Note: All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. In the event there is no successful applicant with the stated level of education and experience, other applicants will be considered if a combination of their education and experience meets the following pre-determined equivalency:

• 2-Year Diploma (or 2-Year Specialized Post Secondary Program) with 4 or more years' related and relevant experience , or
• 4-Year Honours Degree with minimum 1 year related and relevant experience

Department/ Division : Community Services , Sport

Group: Non-Union/Management

Competition Number :

Job Code: 0114

Number of positions : 1

Why work at the City of Kitchener