Lead with Safety and Purpose: Become the Next Supervisory Recreation Specialist (Aquatics Coordinator) at NAS JRB Fort Worth

For seasoned aquatics professionals, few career opportunities combine technical management, public safety, and leadership like a federal position within the Department of the Navy. Currently, the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) is hiring a Supervisory Recreation Specialist (Aquatics Coordinator) to oversee operations at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Fort Worth, Texas. This position, graded within the Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) system at the NF-03 level, is a critical role designed to ensure that active-duty personnel, their families, military retirees, and civilian workers have access to safe, high-quality swimming facilities and recreational programs.

If you possess strong administrative skills, a background in chemical water maintenance, experience leading a team of lifeguards, and a desire to serve the military community, this career path offers stability, excellent benefits, and a highly rewarding working environment.

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About the Agency: Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC)

The Department of the Navy’s Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) division is dedicated to maintaining the morale, welfare, and recreation of those who serve. Operating under CNIC, FFR delivers programs designed to improve the quality of life across military installations worldwide.

Among its many branches, the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) department is a cornerstone of base life, providing gymnasiums, fitness centers, bowling facilities, marinas, golf courses, restaurants, and aquatics centers. The guiding principles of MWR focus on integrity, innovation, good stewardship of government resources, and straight talk. When you join the Navy MWR team as a civilian employee, you aren’t just taking a job—you are joining an elite support network that directly sustains the readiness of the military force.

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Job Responsibilities: A Day in the Life of an Aquatics Coordinator

As the Supervisory Recreation Specialist, your responsibilities extend far beyond sitting in a lifeguard chair. You are the operational manager of a complete pool facility. This position requires balancing administrative tasks, facility maintenance, and public relations.

Your core operational and supervisory duties include:

• Comprehensive Facility Supervision: You will manage the seasonal and year-round operations of one swimming pool. This includes scheduling, managing physical facilities, maintaining the pump house, and overseeing all equipment.
• Aquatics Programming Development: You will build, run, and optimize a balanced aquatics calendar. This encompasses American Red Cross swim lessons, private parties, military physical readiness training (PRT), swim meets, and special military community events.
• Staff Leadership & Development: During the peak summer season, you will directly lead, schedule, and evaluate a team consisting of three to eight Water Safety Instructors (WSI) and three to four recreation assistants. Your duties involve recruitment, interviewing, performance evaluations, and approving leave.
• Rigorous Safety & Training Programs: You will enforce strict safety standards, ensuring all staff members maintain active certifications. You are responsible for conducting regular emergency drills, written water tests, and training sessions in CPR, First Aid, and AED use for the broader MWR fitness staff.
• Financial Control & Budgeting: You will assist the Fitness Director in drafting the annual pool operating budget, preparing purchase orders for pool chemical supplies and safety equipment, and managing daily activity reports (DARs) to audit incoming fees.
• Water Chemistry Management: You must regularly test, balance, and record chemical levels in the pool to comply with federal, state, and Navy health codes.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this competitive federal role, your application must provide undeniable evidence of your qualifications. The Navy evaluates your experience strictly based on the documents you submit.

Educational and Professional Experience

Applicants must satisfy one of the following pathways:

1. Educational Track: Successful completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree program with a major study directly appropriate to the field of aquatics recreation.
2. Professional Track: A minimum of three years of professional experience that clearly demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques used to operate a pool or beach aquatics facility. At least three of these years must have been served at the Lead Lifeguard or Lifeguard Captain level.

Mandatory and Preferred Certifications

To be eligible, you must hold at least one certification from each of the primary categories listed in the table below:

Certification Category	Mandatory Minimum Options (Must hold at least one)	Preferred Options (Highly Credited)
Water Safety & Lifeguarding	• American Red Cross Lifeguard • YMCA Lifeguard • U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer (Surface or Aviation) • U.S. Navy Basic Underwater Dive School	• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor • American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard • YMCA Lifeguard Instructor
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	• American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer • YMCA CPR/AED • U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer (Surface/Aviation)	• Certified Instructor for First Aid, CPR, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Additional Conditions of Employment

• Selective Service: Male candidates born after 1959 must prove registration or exemption.
• Background Screening: You must undergo a National Agency Check (ANACI) via the SF-86 security document to secure access to IT II systems and personally identifiable information (PII).
• ID Requirements: Under the REAL ID Act, selectees must possess a compliant REAL ID or valid passport to gain access to military facilities by May 7, 2025.
• Financial Disclosure: Due to the budgetary responsibilities of managing federal accounts, you must submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) annually.

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Salary Overview

The position is offered under the Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) pay system within the NF-03 grade band.

• Hourly Range: $18.29 to $23.00 per hour.
• Determination: The final starting salary is dependent upon the selectee’s depth of experience, leadership background, and educational credentials.
• Overtime and Scheduling: Because this is an operational facility role, hours may vary seasonally, occasionally requiring weekend, holiday, or early morning shifts to support physical training exams or swim meets.

Unlike standard General Schedule (GS) roles, NAF positions are funded by self-generated revenues from fees, sales, and recreation charges, offering a unique, business-like structure within the federal civilian service.

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

One of the primary benefits of working for the Department of the Navy is the excellent benefits package offered to Regular Full-Time (RFT) employees. New hires are eligible for immediate enrollment without waiting periods.

• Generous Paid Leave: Earn 13 days of annual leave (accrued per pay period, usable after 90 days of employment) and 13 days of sick leave per calendar year. You also receive 11 paid federal holidays.
• Health and Wellness: Premium medical (including built-in vision) and comprehensive dental insurance plans.
• Retirement Planning: Access to the unique NAF Retirement Pension Plan, alongside a 401(k) Savings Investment Plan that includes up to a 3% matching contribution from the employer.
• Work-Life Balance Programs: Take advantage of deep childcare discounts through Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP)—up to 50% off fees for your first child if you are a management employee. Additionally, enjoy free or highly discounted recreation through MWR facilities (gyms, golf courses, and marinas) and tax-free shopping privileges at the Navy Exchange (NEX).

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Application Tips & Best Practices

Applying for a federal job requires strict attention to detail. Resumes that do not meet formatting guidelines are immediately removed from consideration.

1. Format a Flawless Federal Resume: Keep your resume strictly limited to two pages. Use Times New Roman font, no smaller than 10-point, and set margins to exactly one inch on all sides.
2. Define Dates and Status: For every position listed, include exact start and end dates (MM/YYYY) and the number of hours worked per week. If you have held prior government positions, specify the pay plan, series, and grade (e.g., NF-02, GS-05).
3. Validate Your Self-Assessment: The online occupational questionnaire requires you to rate your skills. Be honest, but confident. Most importantly, ensure that every skill you claim in the questionnaire is physically documented and described with examples in your resume.
4. Include Professional References: Your resume must explicitly contain the names and active contact information for at least three professional references.
5. Claim Your Preferences: If you are a military spouse, separated veteran, or Gold Star parent, upload all qualifying documentation (DD-214 Member 4 copy, PCS orders, or SF-15) during submission to receive priority consideration.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who can apply for this position?
A: This vacancy is open to the public. Any qualified candidate who meets the citizenship, security, and safety criteria is welcome to apply.

Q: Where is the pool located?
A: The pool facility is located on-site at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

Q: What happens if I make an error in my submission?
A: Human Resources cannot modify documents once they are submitted. If you find an error before the closing date, you must re-upload your package. If you submit multiple resumes, only the last one received will be evaluated.

Q: When will I hear back about my application?
A: Candidates typically receive email status notifications regarding whether they have been referred to the hiring manager. Interviews are generally scheduled within three to six weeks after the July 28, 2026 closing date.

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Serving as the Supervisory Recreation Specialist (Aquatics Coordinator) at NAS JRB Fort Worth is more than a management job—it is an opportunity to lead, protect, and enhance the daily lives of the military community. By keeping our pools safe, teaching children to swim, and helping active-duty service members stay physically fit, you play a vital role in our nation's defense community. Apply before the closing date on July 28, 2026, and take the first step toward an exceptional federal career.