Waterpark Aquatics Manager (Full-time)

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
• Discounts

Retirement:

• Georgia State Employee Retirement System - GSEPS
• Pension matching
• 401k

Closing Date: 4:00 PM, 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.

About Summer Waves:

The Georgia coasts 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.

About 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 water parks safety program. Additional responsibilities include 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 and collaborates with Operations Manager to update manuals and plan training accordingly. Conducts in-service training programs, 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 the park. Writes daily rotation sheets and keeps break logs for aquatic staff. Ensures the safety of all park guests by 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.

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
• Must be certified as an American Red Cross lifeguard instructor with water park module or equivalent at time of hire or obtained within three months of hire
• 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 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
• Ability to push and pull with arms with a force of up to two pounds for one-half hour each normal working day
• Ability 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

Working Conditions:

• 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

Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.