Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.
Support the mission of the Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club by leading the Aquatics teams that keep our guests safe, engaged, and inspired. This role manages summer and fall waterpark operations, lifeguard programs, and safety excellence across our family of parks.

Manages the day-to-day operation of the Aquatics summer and fall division of the waterpark including the lifeguard program, safety compliance and ensuring the highest standards of staff performance, guest service and cleanliness.

Aquatic Operations & Safety Compliance

• Manages the daily facility operation related to aquatics attractions to ensure complete safety compliance and peak operating efficiencies.
• Oversees daily safety inspections of all pools and attractions, including preventative maintenance, cleanliness and proper operation.
• Ensures adequate staffing levels at all areas of Aquatics section as directed by Operations Director.
• Oversees pool and attraction downtime procedures to ensure minimal downtime on all pools and attractions.
• Conducts and reviews documentation of all Zone Validations and staffing levels within the department in compliance to standards set by both Ellis and Associates and the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
• Maintains a professional working relationship with Guest Relations, Rides Maintenance, EMS, Security and others to ensure appropriate park responses regarding guest relations.
• Contributes to and actively promotes a strong safety culture across all lifeguard and operations activities.
• Manages and complies with company’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and is accountable for ERP training at the department level.
• Manage and maintain client relationship with Ellis & Associates. This includes lifeguard certifications, auditing criteria, data collection and reporting, In-service program and ordering all related materials.
• Champions the waterpark guest relations and safety policies as a role model for all other team members.
• Implements sustainable practices in daily tasks whenever possible.

Leadership, Training & Staff Development

• Develops, maintains and reviews statistical and financial reports and controls regarding Aquatics section activity and profitability.
• Administers Aquatics budget and labor controls.
• Develops and administers all training and certification for leadership and summer, personnel.
• Plans and reviews performance of Aquatics employees including, but not limited to hiring, disciplinary responses, performance evaluations, salary recommendations and discharge recommendations.
• Develops and administers department training program.
• Responsible for collaborating with Operations Coordinator on all aspects of on-boarding including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, certifications, department training, scheduling, payroll and team member files.
• Develops leadership team by setting clear department goals and incentive plans, schedules regular communication meetings and provides feedback on individual assessments throughout the year.
• Responsible for development and implementation of staff incentive program and tracking and organizing pay incentives for all seasonal team member.
• Performs duties of all Lifeguards and assists in other Operations areas as needed.
• Serves as primary Operations Manager during special events.
• Acts as Manager On Duty as assigned by the Operations Director.

Event Support, Collaboration & Communication

• Acts as primary waterpark liaison under direction of Zoo’s Community Relations department regarding Zoombezi Bay website content, relevance and overall appeal of the site.
• Communicates with Director of Operations daily and meets on a weekly basis to discuss relevant information pertaining to the Aquatics section.
• Facilitates Operations Department employee events, such as Party at the Wave Pool and ZOOlympics.
• Constantly strives to further the mission of the organization and avidly supports the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.

Seasonal Operations, Logistics & Compliance

• Ensures adequate levels of operational equipment including tubes and other miscellaneous park items by ordering in correspondence with shipping timelines and ensuring timely arrivals.
• Assures compliance with various inspection agencies, including but not limited to: Department of Agriculture, Jeff Ellis and Associates, US Coast Guard and the Zoo’s Human Resources Department to remain compliant with various federal, state, local employment laws/regulations.
• Responsible for all physical pre-season operations set up and attraction testing in park as well as post-season tear down operations to ensure park assets are protected each year.
• Responsible for setup of Zoombezi event park operations and theming during the Zoombezi event tear-down.
• Responsible for storage of all event components.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining the department SOP’s for both summer and fall operation.
• Maintain the Ellis & Associates internal auditing program as part of daily operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Certifications & Compliance

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, or four (4) years of relevant experience required.
• Ability to obtain lifeguard instructor certification through Ellis & Associates’ ILTP program prior to the start of the season (May 1) and maintain this certification throughout employment.
• Forklift certification required or ability to obtain within the first 6 months of employment.
• Possession of a valid state issued motor vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record required.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check annually required.
• Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks’ drug-free workplace policy including but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and follow-up treatment required.

Communication & Relationship Skills

• Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing is required.
• Ability to provide excellent guest service by positively interacting with guests and upholding the guest service standards required.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all Zoo team members and contacts regarding company business required.

Operational & Administrative Skills

• Ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner without direct supervision is required.
• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.

Availability & Work Conditions

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays required.