Manager, Water Safety Programs

Job Posting Title
Manager, Water Safety Programs
Employee Type
Regular
Recruiting Start Date
10-07-2026
Job Exempt?
Yes
Recruiting End Date
Open Until Filled
Aloha mai! Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools. If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!
Do you have a passion for water safety, aquatic operations, and Hawaii’s unique aquatic environments?
Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Campus seeking an experienced Manager, Water Safety Programs to lead and oversee water safety initiatives that support aquatic activities for our haumana across pools, beaches, streams, fishponds, and open ocean environments. This is a unique opportunity for someone who combines hands-on field experience with strong administrative and leadership skills.
Position kuleana…
Conduct aquatic risk assessments for beaches, oceans, rivers, fishponds, and other aquatic sites to support student field trips, as well as our athletic and educational programs.
Serve as the subject matter expert for water safety; developing and reviewing safety policies, procedures, and risk mitigation plans.
Manage and maintain Aquatic Activity Requests (AARs), safety documentation, authorizations, and compliance processes.
Provide oversight for aquatic facilities, including pool operations, maintenance, upkeep, and safety standards.
Support lifeguard and water safety personnel while promoting a culture of safety and preparedness.
Monitor water and weather conditions to support safe decision-making for on- and off-campus aquatic activities.
And more!
Our ideal candidate will have…
Experience managing aquatic environments, recreation programs, safety operations, marine science programs, or closely related fields.
Strong water safety knowledge and practical experience in pool and/or open-water settings.
Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
Current or prior First Aid/CPR and Lifeguard certifications.
Experience with pool maintenance, aquatic facility operations, or water safety program management.
Knowledge of Hawaii Island and statewide aquatic environments, including beaches, streams, rivers, and ocean conditions.
A self-motivated, proactive approach with the ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
The ability to balance field-based assessments and aquatic operations with administrative responsibilities, reporting, and policy development.
This role offers a rare opportunity to combine fieldwork, leadership, risk management, and aquatic operations while helping ensure safe and meaningful water experiences for our haumana.
Job Summary
The Manager, Water Safety Programs is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring comprehensive water safety protocols to ensure the safety of all aquatic activities for the K-12 and Pre-K, including both pool, waterfront, and open ocean activities. This role oversees lead lifeguards and lifeguards, ensuring that all safety and health requirements are met for year-round educational programming from PreK to Grade 12. Key responsibilities include creating and vetting safety plans for all water-related activities, training staff to exceed industry standards, managing risk mitigation processes, serving as the point of contact for contract vendors, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This position is critical in fostering a safe and secure environment for all water-related programs and activities.
Essential Responsibilities
Safety Management
Develop and monitor comprehensive water safety protocols, in alignment with relevant laws, regulations, and KS enterprise standards, to mitigate risks to mitigate risks for all water activities.
Create and vet safety plans for all water-related activities, ensuring electronic documentation and authorizations are built into business processes and accessible to various end users (i.e., leadership, students, etc.).
Hire, schedule, evaluate, and supervise part-time and on-call safety/lifeguard staff.
Train staff to exceed industry standards, benchmarking against certifications like BWRAG and US Life Saving Association.
Manage risk mitigation processes, determining necessary lifeguard coverage and safety measures.
Oversee and monitor pool patrons for adherence to health, safety, and sanitation rules.
Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and establish controls to prevent/reduce accidents.
Authorize on and off-campus activities by monitoring weather and water conditions.
Support water activities year-round for educational programming, including preschool programs and summer programs.
Operations Management
Oversee scheduling for all water-related activities, including pool usage and aquatic field trips, ensuring equitable access for multiple users. Perform lifeguarding duties as needed.
Manage the aquatics budget, maintaining inventory and ordering supplies as required. Monitor and project chemical usage for water safety, implementing cost-saving measures where applicable. Collaborate with vendors to ensure product quality.
Own aquatic facilities maintenance for cleanliness and safety, including pools, pool decks, restroom/locker rooms, offices, mechanical and storage rooms, bleacher areas, stairs, and surrounding areas.
Implement preventative maintenance schedules and perform basic repairs and maintenance of aquatic center mechanical systems. Report and monitor equipment conditions and major repairs.
Manage open-ocean watercraft equipment, including maintenance, certifications, operators, contractors, and storage.
Minimum Qualifications
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the below.
High School Diploma/Equivalent
Minimum of 3 years of directly related experience managing aquatic environments.
Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience to include supervision of lifeguards.
Experience with the maintenance and upkeep of a pool facility.
Current First Aid/CPR and lifeguard certification.
Must have Certified Pool Operator® (CPO®), Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), Certified Pool Technician (CPT) or obtain this certification within 6-months of hire.
Experience creating electronic data systems to effectively manage processes, approvals, and run reports.
Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with students, staff, and others.
Good written communication skills.
Flexibility in work schedule to include evenings, weekends, special events, and split shifts as needed.
Proven ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
Must be able to work in various physical environments (indoors/outdoors) and within the pool.
Ability to work under pressure and handle time-sensitive and confidential tasks and projects effectively.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Physical Education, or a related field
Event management experience.
Previous experience in an educational setting or one working with children in the K-12 age group.
Working knowledge of computers and word processing.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to Hawaiian culture and Christian values.
Open Ocean Lifeguard experience and familiarity with Hawaiian waters (i.e., streams and ocean).
BWRAG certification, Hawaii Lifeguard Association (or something comparable).
Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification
Physical Requirements
Frequently sits, performs desk-based computer tasks, and grasps light or fine manipulation, talks, or hears.
Occasionally stands and/or walks, writes by hand, and lifts and/or carries, pushes and/or pulls objects that weigh up to 50 pounds.
Rarely twists, bends, stoops, squats, kneels, crawls, climbs, reaches or works above shoulder, or grasps forcefully.
Ability to perform rigorous physical activities, including swimming, diving, and water rescues, and to maintain top physical condition.
Working Conditions
This position will require substantial travel to outer islands as required to facilitate projects.
Work is conducted in an office environment and may require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces.
Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday during normal business hours, but evening and weekend hours may be required to meet goals and objectives.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This i