Lead Guard (Lifeguard II)

Parks Tacoma•Various Parks Tacoma locations, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Parks Tacoma is seeking Lead Guards to work at one or more indoor pools at Center at Norpoint, Eastside, and People's Community Centers. The role maintains safe swimming conditions in the pool, on the deck, and in surrounding areas; prevents accidents through constant observation and enforcement of safety rules; and responds to emergencies with rescue and emergency care as needed. The Lead Guard documents incidents, pool attendance, and chemical readings; communicates information about Parks Tacoma programs; and helps ensure the proper care and storage of equipment. The position provides some work direction to part-time Level I staff and maintains regular communication with supervisors, coworkers, participants, and parents or guardians. Duties also include routine pool-area maintenance, equipment checks, setting up and storing equipment for recreational swims, and attending monthly in-service training and staff meetings. Employees are expected to work professionally, collaboratively, safely, and effectively with or without direct supervision. This safety-sensitive position is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and a national background check. It is an at-will position. The starting salary is $19.88 per hour, with a current full hourly range of $19.88–$21.58. The schedule is up to 29 hours per week, with weekday morning and afternoon/evening shifts and a Saturday shift. Work may occur indoors and outdoors and involves frequent communication with employees and customers in a moderately loud environment. Physical tasks include swimming, standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, lifting, and assisting with rescue procedures. Staff must pass monthly critical-skills assessments.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
At least one year of previous lifeguarding experience.
Demonstrated leadership behaviors.
Current Lifeguard, First Aid, and Basic Life Support or Professional Rescuer CPR certifications.
Successful swimming, rescue, and emergency-care skills; staff must pass monthly assessments that include swimming 250 yards without stopping, retrieving an object from 12 feet, and treading water for two minutes using legs only.
Knowledge of aquatic programs, activities, and services, and of safety guidelines and practices.
Ability to handle conflict and solve problems with tact, patience, and courtesy.
Ability to make quick decisions and navigate emergency situations; recognize early warning signs of distress and react calmly and quickly.
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse groups and maintain effective working relationships with staff, community members, and program participants.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and safely perform job tasks in varied aquatic settings.
Ability to reach pool depths of up to 12 feet, depending on location.
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision; corrective lenses are acceptable.
Ability, with assistance, to lift a person weighing up to 300 pounds while secured to a backboard onto the deck from the water, while standing or treading water.
Ability to stand on a cement floor for 90-minute increments and sit in an elevated lifeguard tower for up to two hours at a time.
Ability to perform physical tasks including bending, kneeling, standing, reaching, climbing, stooping, squatting, pushing, twisting, and swimming, and occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Prevent accidents and injuries by understanding, explaining, and enforcing safety rules, policies, procedures, and facility expectations.
Maintain constant observation and surveillance of the pool area and maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.
Respond to emergencies and administer rescue and emergency care as needed.
Maintain a positive attitude toward program participants and staff and serve as a positive role model.
Attend monthly in-service training and staff meetings.
Build and maintain effective relationships with members, participants, staff, and the community.
Report participant behavioral problems and incidents to appropriate staff and supervisors.
Complete incident and accident reports clearly, concisely, and legibly.
Ensure the proper use, care, and storage of program equipment; check pool and rescue equipment and promptly report problems.
Provide some work direction to part-time Level I staff.
Communicate with staff, participants, and parents or guardians as needed, and maintain daily communication with the supervisor.
Conduct assigned water chemistry tests and maintain clear records of pool chemical readings.
Follow the MPT Communication Plan to notify appropriate staff and supervisors promptly when needed.
Take pool attendance and maintain related records.
Perform routine maintenance to keep the pool and surrounding areas clean.
Set up and store equipment for recreational swims.
Maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, on the deck, and in surrounding pool areas.
Provide documentation by completing required reports and communicate information about Parks Tacoma programs.