Aquatics Specialist

Overview

Join the award-winning Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) team and help make a real impact in this community! As part of our National Gold Medal Award–winning organization, you’ll help bring joy, adventure, and enrichment to millions each year. JCPRD welcomes over 7 million visitors to our parks and engages 3 million+ participants in more than 4,000 programs—and we’re still growing. 

When you work at JCPRD, you’re joining a team recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for excellence in parks, recreation, culture, education, and public service. Enjoy outstanding benefits, retirement plans, employee incentives, and a workplace culture built on passion, creativity, and teamwork. 

Named Best Large Employer in Johnson County for two years running, JCPRD is the perfect place to grow your career, make a difference, and have fun doing it. Come work where you play—and help us inspire healthier, happier lives for everyone! 

The following Leadership Competencies apply to supervisors, managers, and executives based on designated responsibilities:   

• People Management – Clearly defines subordinate roles and responsibilities; motivates employees to perform and delegates work effectively; applies consistent performance standards and handles performance problems decisively and objectively; leads by example.
• Operations Management – Directs and guides operations in alignment with the County’s and department’s overall goals and objectives; ensures the execution of efficient processes to maximize the County’s and department’s resources; utilizes operational knowledge to make sound decisions.
• Strategic Leadership – Determines the strategic direction of the team or department in alignment with overall county goals; effectively communicates strategies internally and externally; creates a culture to support strategies and provides mechanisms to implement them; fosters buy-in and enthusiasm with employees.

Job Description

• Aquatics point person in the absence of the Aquatics Manager.
• Provides support to the Aquatics Manager.
• Ensures all staff, including Aquatic Coordinators, Aquatic Leads, lifeguards, learn-to-swim instructors, and beach and marina staff, have the necessary support needed for their sites.
• Oversees and assists with interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of part-time and seasonal staff.
• Leads, trains, and supervises Aquatic Coordinators, Aquatic Leads, and seasonal staff to ensure all policies and procedures are followed and that excellent customer service and safety are provided to patrons.
• Oversees aquatic facilities, ensuring they are clean, safe, and operated at a level of excellence. These facilities include the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center and the Kill Creek Park and Shawnee Mission Park beaches and marinas. 
• Oversees program areas, ensuring programs are on-trend and fiscally viable.
• Coordinates the marketing of programs through the website, social media, and other marketing opportunities.
• Assists in the development of operating budgets for aquatic facilities and programming.
• Oversees the development and implementation of staff training for lifeguard in-services along with online training for facility policies & procedures.
• Ensures all operations use proper cash handling procedures and ensure a proper daily balance of revenues collected.
• Assists with the instruction of American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Courses throughout the year.
• Develops and maintains relationships with community organizations to promote district-wide programs.
• Participates in department and district-wide meetings to support and promote district-wide strategic objectives and initiatives.
• Opportunity to participate in district-wide committees.
• Develops and maintains expertise in recreation program trends and issues by attending professional conferences and serving on professional committees to provide leadership in the park and recreation community.
• Performs other administrative responsibilities as assigned.

This position is also responsible for the supervision and leadership of employees, which includes making employment-related decisions and/or recommendations, and formally evaluating performance.

Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.  Scheduling and shift assignments and work location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.

Job Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in the study of Recreation or related field. (Experience may be substituted for a degree)
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Certification or the willingness to obtain within 6-months
• Two-year supervisory experience
• Two-year recreation programming
• One year facility management
• Certified Pool Operator or Aquatics Facility Operator Certification or the willingness to obtain within 6-months

Preferred Job Requirements:

• Facilitation Skills

Education/Experience Substitutions:

Yes        Experience may be substituted for degree.

Yes  Education may be substituted for experience.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• Schedule varies due to the nature of business with large events, programs, changing of facility schedules and helping cover facilities. Early mornings, evenings and weekend hours will be required.
• Exposure to fumes and/or chemicals.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Lifting: up to 50lbs.
• Uniform Required
• Travel Required: 5% locally
• All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation.                                        

JCPRD requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department.

PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST REVIEWAL DATE OF ALL APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WILL BE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2026.