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Assistant Director for Fitness and Aquatics

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Posted October 27, 2026

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About the job

Position Title: Assistant Director for Fitness and Aquatics

Position Type: Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$33.94-$37.33 hourly; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency: Hourly POSITION PURPOSE

The Assistant Director for Fitness and Aquatics reports to the Director of Recreation and functions on the senior management team of Campus Recreation. The Assistant Director is administratively and programmatically responsible for implementing, promoting, directing, evaluating, and executing the aquatics and fitness programs for students, faculty, staff, alumni and university guests. The Assistant Director has leadership and decision-making responsibility for developing, and mentoring student staff work teams and proactively interacts with campus constituencies, third-party vendors, and other service providers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management, Development and Operations Manage the day-to-day operations of the Sullivan Aquatics Center

Assist with the day-to-day operations of the Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center (Malley Center) and other Campus Recreation facilities as needed

Administer the fitness program

Create and maintain a personal training program for students, faculty/staff and alumni members

Develop and maintain a training program for SCU students to become national certified to teach fitness classes and personal training sessions

Create, develop and oversee the scheduling and administration of pool hours, and various programs using the pool

Work with the contractor for the weight room equipment maintenance on their tracking of daily/monthly/annual documentation of preventive maintenance, and current maintenance (ie. parts to be ordered, and equipment that is beyond repair)

Create, develop and then oversee the scheduling and administration of various fitness programs including but not limited to group exercise classes, small group training, instructional training and personal training

Maintain all aquatic and fitness program-related pages of the Campus Recreation website, and promote the program through the various social media accounts

Use data-driven decision making to guide processes such as setting aquatic program times, fitness class schedules, etc..

Develop and implement creative and effective ways to communicate offerings and services

Manage and troubleshoot access software program (currently CSI or Daxko software- January 2027 launch Fusion). This software system is utilized to manage program registration, and fitness attendance

Work with the Assistant Director for Memberships and Operations about the fitness-related services to ensure the service desk has the accurate information

Student Staff Supervision and Leadership Mentor student staff members and build team cohesion

Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise and evaluate student & part-time on call lifeguards

Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise and evaluate student & part-time on call fitness instructors

Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise and evaluate student & part-time on call personal trainers

Conduct monthly staff meetings

Assist with the customer service, diversity, and emergency response training sessions for all Campus Recreation facility positions

Coordinate staff in-service trainings specific to emergency, accident and incident protocols. Make changes to the emergency action plan as needed

Policy and Procedures Develop and implement fitness-area policies and procedures including (but not limited to) emergency procedures, facility access, preventative weight room equipment maintenance, and the like

Develop and implement fitness-related areas policies and procedures including (but not limited to) fitness registration, personal training sessions, and the like

Assist with department policies, operating procedures, safety/risk management, identification of risks, planning special events, and student orientations

Ensure compliance with applicable university, state and federal laws, policies and regulations

Budget Set and meet annual revenue goals for the aquatic & fitness programs

Assist with the management of the aquatic & fitness-related operations and student wage budgets

Provide leadership to the Student Coordinator in regards to aquatics or fitness program sales, and tracking

Assist with the management of the aquatic program & facility operations and student wage budgets.

Assist with the management of the fitness program operations and student wage budgets

Other Serve as an interim as needed in any program area to assist with the day-to-day operations as well as emergency situations

Maintain or pursue active involvement in professional organizations

Assist in establishing and updating long-range strategic plans for fitness-related areas usage, equipment and program enhancement

Inventory and maintain aquatics and fitness equipment

Understand and positively advocate for all program areas within Campus Recreation, including Aquatics, Facilities, Fitness, Intramural Sports, Club Sports, and the Bronco Kids All Sports Camp

Serve on departmental and University committees as needed and approved by the Director

Instruct American Red Cross certification classes and/or challenges as needed

Work with the Assistant Directors to ensure that all employees are trained in necessary American Red Cross courses

Maintain working relationships with University departments such as the Center for Student Involvement, Risk Management, Wellness Center, Associated Students and Athletics

Develop and maintain relationships with students, faculty, staff, and alumni members that use the facilities and participants in programs

Promote and encourage inter-departmental communication, cooperation, and collaboration

Seek supplemental funding through grants and/or sponsorships

Assist with creating a culture of sustainability for the Campus Recreation program and campus by helping to fashion a more just, humane, and sustainable world

Other duties and projects as assigned

PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

This position supervises a variety of student employees & contracted employees. The current staffing breaks out to the following numbers of staff:

Part-time on call Fitness Instructors (7 - 10 per year)

Part-time on call Lifeguards (1 - 3 per year)

Students

Area Coordinators (2 - 3 per year)

Lifeguards (12 - 20 per year)

Fitness Instructors (2 - 5 per year)

RECEIVES WORK DIRECTION FROM Director, Campus Recreation

GENERAL GUIDELINES Identifies and determines causes of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices

Exercises sound judgement and discretion when executing responsibilities

Recommendations initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services

Maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services.

Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives

Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow

Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; deviations from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.

Prepares and submits reports as requested and required

Develops and implements guidelines to support functions of unit

Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred

Knowledge Understanding and support of the Jesuit tradition of education and a commitment to the fundamental values of services to others, community, and diversity as well as commitment to and demonstration of skills, knowledge, and awareness to serve the unique needs of the diverse campus community of Santa Clara University.

Skills Competency working with students of different cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds with a special sensitivity to how personal experiences affect the transition into the University environment

Oral and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver workshops and speak to groups of various sizes

Organizational skills including time management, multitasking, and project completion

Commitment to customer service, both internal and external to the department

Experience with technology as it relates to daily processing and statistical tracking

Experience with computer software programs for Recreation Services as well as student scheduling, facility scheduling, etc.

Abilities Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and decision-making

Demonstrated experience with developing, implementing, and evaluation program specifically those related to aquatics and fitness programs

Experience managing and mentoring student nd part-time on-call staff

Education and Certification Bachelor's degree required, master's degree preferred in a related field preferred

American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR/AED and First aid instructor (LGI) certification or American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR/AED (LG) and First aid certified with a willingness to get LGI certified within the first 6 months of employment

American Red Cross CPR/AED and First aid instructor certification or willingness to get certified within the first 90-days of employment (or complete the bridge if LGI certified

If a conditional offer is made, the selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal, credit, and/or education background check.

Years of Experience Two or more years of experience in collegiate environment (including extensive involvement with student development and supervision), specifically in the organization of Campus Recreation programming (this may include graduate assistantships) preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the American Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education or other requirements of the positions, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Considerable time spent at a desk using a computer and phone

May be required to travel to other buildings on campus

May be required to attend conference and training sessions with in the Bay Area or in-or-out of state locations

Maybe required to travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers

Considerable time spent in weight room and fitness rooms with noise

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Typical office environment

Mostly indoor office environment with windows

Offices with equipment noise

Offices with frequent interruptions

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/ .

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408)554-4392. Please note : This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact hrservicedesk@scu.edu .