YMCA Professional Teaches Life Skills while Developing His Own

By: Mollie Shauger | Thursday, June 23, 2022 | Aquatics

Scott Weber instructs a swim class.

Scott Weber has spent the last decade managing the swim programs at the West Essex YMCA, a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges. He most recently served as Senior Aquatics Director for all seven branches of the association as Aquatics Quality Team Chair. He will be continuing his Y career as Branch Associate Executive Director for the Hillsborough YMCA, a branch of the Greater Somerset County YMCA.

He shares his experiences as a Y staff member and working in the aquatics field.

Q: How did your YMCA career begin?

A: I studied to become a K-12 teach and was looking for work when the YMCA Aquatics Director position opened in 2011. My first job was as a lifeguard at my town pool and I eventually became its manager for multiple years. A dear friend who worked for the YMCA reached out one day to let me know the Y position was open. I was lucky to be able to interview immediately with the Executive Director at the time.

Q: What’s great about working for the Y Aquatics program?

A: Working for the YMCA is very rewarding because its mission is to build strong communities. You know you are really making a difference because people matter most. We are a family at the YMCA, and family takes care of each other. Also, aquatics is an exciting and dynamic field. Learning to swim is an important life skill that everyone needs and can benefit them at every stage in their life. We help children and adults achieve their goals, stay active and healthy, and stay safe around water.

Q: What skills do you learn that you can carry with you in life?

A: You wear many hats as a director in the YMCA: Manager, Coach, Mentor, Volunteer, and Role Model. We create and run quality programs, budget, train staff, market, and problem solve! You not only learn how to create quality experiences for the community, but also financial best practices, how to solve problems effectively, communications skills, and develop many other skills you can carry over into your personal life. Working for a non-profit allows you to practice the ideals that make us most human: compassion, empathy, and selflessness. 

To learn more about job opportunities at the Metro YMCAs, visit metroymcas.org/jobs.