The University Pool Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and management of the university’s swimming pool and related aquatic facilities. This role involves ensuring a safe, clean, and enjoyable environment for all users, including student athletes, students, staff, and community members. The Pool Manager will supervise pool staff, coordinate maintenance schedules, manage pool safety protocols, and ensure compliance with university policies and local regulations. The Pool Manager will be responsible for athletics (Water Polo and Swimming/Dive) event coordination and management. The role will collaborate with Campus Special Programs and outside requests for pool use.

The position will act independently and make critical judgments in an emergency condition at the pool facility. The role demands quick thinking, the ability to prioritize, the capacity to make critical decisions under pressure, and an awareness of the risks involved. The pool manager must be prepared to act decisively, often without the luxury of second-guessing, while balancing the needs of the victims, their safety, and the larger emergency response goals.

Duties

• Operational Facility and Event Management:
  • Oversee daily pool operations, including facility maintenance, safety checks, and equipment management.
  • Work with the campus facilities management team to ensure that any necessary repairs or upgrades to the pool area are promptly addressed.
  • Provide facility game management for scheduled NCAA Water Polo and Swimming/Dive competitions.
  • Collaborate with University Facility staff to ensure pool area is properly stocked with necessary supplies (e.g., emergency response equipment, cleaning chemicals, first aid kits, etc.).
  • Schedule and coordinate facility rentals and execute facility use agreements from external groups. Manage rental invoices and billing for facility rentals. 
• Staff Supervision & Training:
  • Hire, train, and supervise pool lifeguards, ensuring all staff have active CPR/AED/First Aid and Water Rescue certification.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing training to ensure compliance with safety standards and excellent customer service.
  • Ensure the lifeguard staff are directed to remain within the bounds of legal and medical protocols. Directing staff to ensure their decisions do not conflict with ethical guidelines or legal obligations.
  • Make decisions to prioritize and allocate limited resources (e.g., personnel, medical equipment) in preparation for and response to mass casualties or emergencies with multiple victims. 
• Communication and Scheduling:
  • Manage the pool schedule, including open swim, athletic team practices, NCAA competitions, and special events.
  • Coordinate and direct the management of athletic events, including water polo and swim team practices and competitions.
  • Maintain accurate calendars for the pool schedule, lifeguard schedule and administrator coverage schedule at all times.
  • Maintain communication with athletics teams on practice, event and camp scheduling.
  • Coordinate with other campus departments to schedule events and special requests.
  • Communicate with Waves Associates, Athletic Department, Special Programs and other on and off campus groups to assist with customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints to ensure a positive experience for all pool users.
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Enforce university policies, health codes, and safety regulations to maintain a secure environment.
  • Conduct regular safety drills and emergency response procedures.
  • Conduct daily safety walk-throughs of the facility to ensure the area is safe for operation.
  • Schedule all staff in a way that maintains an appropriate lifeguard-to-patron ratio for liability and safety required standards.
  • In an emergency, autonomously act without waiting for higher authorities, relying on training, experience, and intuition.
  • Take charge in chaotic environments, giving clear direction to bystanders or other responders, and make decisions with little or no supervision. Continually reassess evolving situations and make adjustments accordingly. 
• Budget & Inventory:
  • Develop plans and protocols related to pool expenses.
  • Maintain an inventory of pool equipment and other necessary supplies.
  • Research and implement strategies for procuring and maintaining equipment and supplies.
  • Assist in managing the pool budget, including ordering supplies and tracking expenditures. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing pool operations.
• Lifeguard certification/Instructor and First Aid/AED certification, or eligible to acquire these certifications.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and efficiently.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Sports Management experience or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing pool operations, preferably in a university or recreational setting.
• Experience supervising staff and managing schedules.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Rate: $70,304 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.