Aquatic Operations Manager- 2 Roles Available (Katherine & Alice Springs)

About the Y Northern Territory (Y NT):

At the Y NT, we are dedicated to helping children, young people, and communities thrive. Whether through our Early Learning Centres, Outside Hours School Care, Recreation Centres, Aquatic facilities, Youth Programs or Remote Pools programs, we are committed to supporting Territorians in becoming connected, educated, resilient, and healthy.

The Opportunity:

Are you an experienced aquatic leader looking for a role that makes a genuine impact across remote Northern Territory communities? The Y NT is seeking two Aquatic Operations Managers to join our Remote Pools Project Team, with one position based in Katherine (Big Rivers) and one based in Alice Springs (Central Australia).

These are critical leadership roles responsible for supporting the delivery, safety, compliance, and operational excellence of remote community swimming pools across some of the most unique and rewarding locations in Australia. As part of the Remote Pools Project Team, you will play a vital role in ensuring pools remain safe, operational, and welcoming community assets that contribute to health, wellbeing, education, and community connection.

You will work closely with local pool staff, community stakeholders, councils, contractors, and Y NT teams to provide operational leadership, compliance oversight, staff development, risk management, and technical support across multiple facilities. Regular travel to remote communities will be a key feature of the role.

If you’re passionate about aquatics, enjoy working across diverse environments, and want to help strengthen outcomes for remote communities throughout the Northern Territory, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

·Lead the day-to-day operations of multiple remote community aquatic facilities, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality service delivery.

·Provide leadership, coaching and support to Aquatic Coordinators and pool staff across the region.

·Play a critical role in the successful delivery of the Remote Pools Project, supporting communities to maintain safe, accessible and well-operated aquatic facilities.

·Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, industry standards, safety requirements and Y NT policies.

·Conduct regular site visits, audits and risk assessments to maintain high operational and safety standards.

·Oversee pool plant operations, water quality management, maintenance programs and chemical handling practices.

·Lead emergency preparedness, incident management and continuous improvement initiatives across all facilities.

·Recruit, train and develop pool staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability and customer service excellence.

·Build strong relationships with remote communities, councils, contractors and key stakeholders to support positive community outcomes.

·Manage operational resources, budgets, procurement and fleet requirements while providing regular performance and compliance reporting.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Essential Qualifications

• Pool Plant Operator Certificate.
• Current Pool Lifeguard Qualification.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Current CPR Certificate.
• Current Northern Territory Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card) or ability to obtain one.
• Current Australian Driver’s Licence, with ability to drive manual vehicles.
• Satisfactory National Criminal History Check.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated experience managing aquatic facilities, recreation facilities, or multi-site operations.
• Strong knowledge of aquatic operations, pool plant systems, water quality management, risk management, and aquatic safety standards.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing teams in a customer-focused environment.
• Proven ability to manage compliance requirements, WHS obligations, audits and operational reporting.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across remote and culturally diverse communities.
• Ability to undertake regular travel, including overnight stays in remote communities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122 or equivalent).
• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety qualification.
• Additional aquatic industry qualifications or technical pool operations certifications.
• Experience working within remote, regional or Indigenous communities.

Mandatory Requirements

YMCA, including its Boards of Directors, are committed to the safety and well-being of children and young people in accordance with our Safeguarding Children and Young People framework. YMCA requires that all applicants undergo satisfactory screening prior to commencement, including but not limited to:

• Valid Working with Children Clearance.
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check.

Any successfully appointed applicant will be required to adhere to the Safeguarding Children and Young People framework, which includes a thorough safeguarding children and young people induction and a commitment to upholding the safety and wellbeing of children and young people throughout their engagement with YMCA.

Benefits:

• 5 Weeks Annual Leave.
• Free access to the recreation facilities we manage.
• Discounted rates at Y Childcare Centres.
• Rebatable salary packaging

Further Information

For a detailed position description please contact elena.pecorari@ynt.org.au

All applications should be accompanied by a cover letter detailing suitability for the position and a copy of your CV.

Applications close Monday 27th July 2026  however we are looking to recruit as soon as possible and will fill the role if the right candidate is found sooner.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Y!

Please note: We may conduct interview and hire prior to the advertisement expiring.