Job Title:Aquatics Manager
Department / Division:Summer Waves / Operations
Status:Regular, Full-time - year round
Pay: $16.97 - $19.97 per hour (DOQ)
Reports to:Operations Manager
Benefits: Full benefits eligible including health insurance, flex benefits, paid time off, paid holidays, parking & amenity pass, and discounts.
Retirement:Georgia State Employee Retirement System - GSEPS (Pension + matching 401k)
Closing date: 4:00pm Wednesday March 4, 2026. *Note: This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
To Apply: Fill out the application completely and attach your resume. A cover letter or letter of interest is optional, however, applicants are encouraged to include with relevant information about their experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge relevant to the position. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered.
The Georgia coast's favorite water park, Summer Waves, welcomes families near and far, to cool off and cool down on our wet and wild attractions. With 11 acres of fun and frenzy, there is something for everyone and plenty to do. We offer a fun and friendly environment and the opportunity to work with a team dedicated to delivering exceptional service and wonderful summertime memories on Jekyll Island!
Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist.
Job Summary:
Under general supervision of the Operations Manager, coordinates the daily aquatic operations including supervising and training aquatics staff (lifeguards and attraction guards) and administering and maintaining the waterpark’s safety program. Additional responsibilities include to scanning, slide operation, rule enforcement, emergency response, customer assistance, and general park cleanliness.
Description:
- Recruits, hires, trains, directs, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff. Completes post-season reports and employee records.
- Follows all aquatic procedures as outlined in the SOP manual, collaborates with Operations Manager to update manuals and plan training accordingly.
- Conducts in-service training program (lap swimming, backboarding, AED, customer service, slide training, etc.) according to Summer Waves training protocol.
- Teaches lifeguard certification classes.
- Performs opening safety checklist and closing duties including locking park.
- Writes daily rotation sheets and keeps break logs for aquatic staff.
- Ensures the safety to all park guests patrolling and monitoring assigned swimming areas including, slide pools, wave pool, lazy river, and kiddie pool.
- Enforces safety rules and regulations of all attractions to further ensure the safety of park guests.
- Responds to emergency situations as needed, rescues distressed persons using rescue techniques and equipment, and provides first aid and emergency response for the park.
- Reviews all accident/incident reports.
- Contacts management and emergency medical personnel in cases of serious injury.
- Assists patrons with all customer service needs, represents Summer Waves in a professional courteous manner at all times, responds to guest comments and complaints in the proper manner.
- Assists with maintaining cleanliness of the park and light maintenance as assigned by Operations Manager.
- Assists with managing water quality for splash pad in Beach Village.
- During off season performs park and attraction maintenance
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have a minimum of 2 years supervisory experience in Water Park or similar facility.
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Must be certified as an American Red Cross lifeguard instructor with water park module or equivalent at time of hire or obtained within three (3) months of hire.
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Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and Water Safety Instructor preferred.
- Must take Red Cross Lifeguard Management course when hired.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to effectively respond in the event of an emergency.
- Ability to recognize and correct/report unsafe conditions.
- Must have good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate respectfully but effectively.
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, having the ability to easily learn other software as needed. Knowledge of modern business applications such as OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint preferred.
- Valid drivers license required, must have reliable transportation
- Flexible availability, including weekends and holidays.
- Position requires the ability to swim and lift own body/body weight out of the pool.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
- Ability to crouch, kneel, and/or bend up to one-half hour per normal work day.
- Ability to stand, walk, crouch, climb, kneel, crawl, bend at the waist, or remain in a prone position during an emergency situation.
- Ability to work with arms bent up to two-thirds of working day, and with arms extended up to one-third of normal working day.
- May be required to have arms extended for a longer period of time during an emergency situation.
- Ability to push and pull with arms with a force of up to two pounds for one-half hour each normal working day.
- May be required to push and pull with arms with greater than fifty pounds of force during emergency situation.
- May be required to twist and rotate arms during and emergency situation.
- May be required to lift and carry heavy emergency equipment weighing up to seventy pounds during an emergency situation.
- Ability to grasp and manipulate objects, and perform fine finger dexterity movements for up to one-third of normal working day. This work involves eye-hand coordination and some bilateral coordination. May be required to grasp and manipulate objects and perform finer finger dexterity work with exceptional speed and bilateral coordination during emergency situations.
- Majority of work is conducted outside, will be exposed to extreme temperatures or humid conditions routinely.
- May be exposed to noisy environments during emergency situations.
- May be exposed to hazardous materials such as chemicals.
- May be exposed to exhaust or chemical fumes.
- Most work is conducted on concrete, natural ground and in water. May be required to work on inclines or ramps, or stairs and ladders. Working surface is both wet and dry conditions.
- Performs work with direction. May work with one or two other people. May work with a large group of people.
This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job, but is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided. If email confirmation is not received, applicant may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation, however, due to the volume of applicants received, we are unable to provide information on application status after receipt. Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request and accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024.
All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background check is required including credit when applicable to the position. Relocation expenses are not authorized, applicants should consider this when applying.
Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The Jekyll Island is a Drug-free Workplace.
