Aquatics Specialist

Description/Duties And Responsibilities Under the direction of the Aquatics Supervisor, this position serves as the City’s public pool expert, is a key member of the City’s Lifeguard Service Team, and performs a variety of duties related to the operation, maintenance, water quality, and repair of the City’s aquatic facilities. The City’s main aquatic facility is the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, which has three pools, including a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-meter dive pool, a beach entry pool with water play equipment, and a 160-foot water slide. In addition to the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, six additional pools are located at City parks throughout the community. This position may include working early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed. Performs daily testing and treatment of public pool water, including performing ongoing tests for pH balance, chlorine, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity levels, as well as seasonal total dissolved solids (TDS) levels; treating water with chemicals to maintain balanced water quality within acceptable ranges; and monitoring chemical usage, including calibrating and programming automated chemical controllers Maintains pool cleanliness and aquatic facility equipment, which includes pool vacuums, decks, walkways, chemical injectors, chemical probes, pump/chemical rooms, automated chemical control systems, chemical safety equipment, and lifesaving equipment Identifies equipment problems and performs maintenance and repairs on aquatic facility and program equipment, including backstroke flags/poles, lane lines, lane line reels, water polo goals, pool covers, pool cover reels, lifeguard towers, water play equipment, diving boards, two-way radios, pool ladders, pool lifts, and facility signage; performs mechanical inspections and minor repairs to pool pumps, chemical feed pumps/systems, underwater lights, and filters; performs minor repairs in the following areas: electrical, plumbing, masonry, carpentry, and pool tile repair Coordinates with Los Angeles County Health Department inspectors to ensure facility and staff comply with applicable county and state health codes and policies; prepares and submits Los Angeles County Fire Hazardous Materials compliance reports Travels to City pools throughout the community to perform inspections, maintenance, repairs, and other duties related to aquatic facility operations Prepares purchase orders and contracts for maintenance supplies, bulk chemicals, and program and safety equipment; monitors and maintains inventory levels; tracks chemical usage and expenditures; and monitors maintenance and chemical budgets Creates and maintains records and reports to track staff trainings, aquatic facility inspections, preventative maintenance, water quality, water slide inspections, equipment orders, and other operational activities Responds to customer questions regarding aquatic programs and resolves customer concerns in a courteous, professional, and timely manner Oversees training of part-time, seasonal lifeguard staff in proper aquatic facility preventative maintenance techniques, standard pool operations, water quality balancing/testing standards, and safety practices Assists with part-time, seasonal lifeguard staff hiring; participates in interviewing and testing of potential lifeguard candidates; teaches American Red Cross courses in CPR, and Lifeguard Training; and supervises part-time, seasonal staff as needed Assists in aquatic programs and special events, including program set‑up and teardown Provides lifeguard duties and teaches swim lessons to the public as needed Establishes positive working relationships with City staff, community organizations and agency representatives, the Los Angeles County Health Department, Cal-OSHA Officials, and the public

Two years of experience in the field of recreation at public aquatic facilities or related experience Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment at public aquatic facilities Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver license and a safe driving record Possession of, or ability to obtain, the following certifications within three months of appointment: American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, CPR/AED/First Aid certification; Certified Pool Operator’s (CPO) license or Aquatics Facility Operator’s (AFO) certification; and Confined Space certification Possession of, or ability to obtain, the following certifications within one year of appointment: PADI and/or NAUI scuba certification; Los Angeles County Pool Technician certification American Red Cross Instructor authorizations in CPR/AED/First Aid, Lifeguard Training are highly desirable Experience operating Colorado digital timing system equipment or similar digital timing system is desirable Knowledge and Abilities Knowledge of practices for maintaining and operating public aquatic facility equipment and pools and the ability to apply this knowledge to the maintenance, upkeep, and minor repair of swimming pool equipment, including chemical pumps, vacuums, pool pumps, chemical feed systems, underwater pool lights, diving boards and stands, portable lifeguard towers, and pool heaters Knowledge of techniques for maintaining balanced pool water quality, proper chlorine and pH balancing, saturation index, and monitoring total dissolved solids Knowledge of Los Angeles County health codes and policies for public pools and aquatic facilities and the ability to work with Los Angeles County Health inspectors to ensure compliance with these codes and policies Ability to read, understand, and implement information pertaining to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) at each City aquatic facility Knowledge of and ability to follow safety and operating protocols and standards and the ability to make effective, safety-conscious decisions with sound judgment Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify problems, troubleshoot, and resolve facility issues relating to aquatic equipment and pools Strong customer service skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, community organizations and agency representatives, the Los Angeles County Health Department, Cal-OSHA Officials, and the public Strong leadership skills and the ability to assist in hiring, training, evaluating, and supervising part-time, seasonal lifeguards Ability to take initiative and perform and work autonomously with little direct supervision Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a collaborative lifeguard service team Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously, be sensitive to deadlines and changing priorities, and work within the constraints of the budget Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with City staff, community organizations and agency representatives, the Los Angeles County Health Department, Cal-OSHA Officials, and the public Strong work ethic and the ability to demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism Knowledge of effective training techniques and the ability to train staff in pool operations; water quality standards; facility upkeep and maintenance protocols; and American Red Cross CPR, AED, First Aid, Lifeguard trainings Knowledge of swimming techniques and the ability to successfully pass annual City Lifeguard recertification swim test: 400-yard swim in under 8 minutes Ability to work in confined spaces and in extreme weather conditions and be exposed to solutions or chemicals commonly used in the maintenance, upkeep, and repair of public pools and equipment Ability to perform physical labor, including bending, squatting, and lifting of up to 50 pounds regularly