Many aquatic leisure facilities are staffed mainly by teenage workers. Supervisors and managers face specific and unique problems in training, motivating, and supervising these employees. This session will offer ideas and suggestions as to how to get the most from these employees, while encouraging and nurturing them into becoming positive contributors and role models at your facility. This session was developed with the assistance of two male teenagers, both of whom had negative work experiences in both the leisure services and retail fields. Their input and observations were integral in developing the overall program. Paul has extensive experience in all areas of aquatic facility management, operation, and design. As Director of the Village of Garden City Pool from 1986 through 1995, Paul oversaw the operation of one of the largest municipal aquatic facilities on Long Island. During his tenure as Director, Paul was responsible for developing facility safety audit procedures, staff training programs and manuals, and for the on site day-to-day operation of the pool. In addition to these duties, Paul also implemented and grew many programs at the pool, effectively re-inventing it as the center for summertime activities in the Village. In 1994, Paul was given responsibility for a 1.5 million dollar renovation of the facility, which included the installation of a double chute whitewater slide, new wading pool, spray and play area, new pumphouses, site furnishings, and user amenities. The final blueprints and construction drawings were almost entirely based upon Paul’s design ideas, and the end result was the 1996 New York State Recreation and Park Society “Best Facility” award winner. From 1996 to 2001, Paul oversaw the operation of the pool in his capacity as Recreation Superintendent for the Village. Paul has been certified by the National Swimming Pool Foundation® as a Certified Pool-Spa operator® since 1986, and in 1993, Paul became a certified instructor for this national course. Since then, Paul has instructed literally hundreds of individuals in the basics of proper pool operation. More recently, Paul has been privileged to be part of the NSPF® Instructor Education Committee, which evaluates and trains individuals to be instructors of the Certified Pool-Spa Operator® course. In 1993, Paul founded American Pool Consultants, a consulting service for pool owners, operators, and service technicians on many different aspects of pool/spa operation. As an independent consultant, Paul is highly regarded as one of the top “hands on” experts in the areas of water quality, facility design, operation and programming, as well as safety planning. Paul is currently employed by the Town of North Hempstead Parks Department as a Recreation Supervisor, and his job functions include overseeing the operation of three outdoor pool complexes, one indoor aquatics center, and coordinating the training of the Town’s aquatic management and supervisory staff.
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