Lead Waterfront Lifeguard

Girl Scouts of Colorado•Woodland Park, CO

2d•$510 - $600•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Waterfront Lifeguard oversees and implements the waterfront program at a Girl Scouts of Colorado camp property in accordance with camp-wide goals, policies, and procedures. Working with a team of two to three waterfront staff, this role plans, instructs, lifeguards, and supervises activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, while adapting activities to meet participants’ needs and ensuring safety. The role also supports property, hospitality, operations, health, and cabin teams as needed, and is responsible for providing high-quality service to members, guests, and visitors. The Lead Waterfront Lifeguard supervises and coaches waterfront staff, verifies staff competence before assigning them to activities or supervisory duties, and monitors their performance throughout the season. The role also guides campers during activities and overnight camp sessions, supports their daily living and peer relationships, and assists with program planning, schedules, records, equipment, and camp-wide operations. Staff are expected to follow applicable camp, Girl Scouts, health department, and industry standards. This is a seasonal, full-time, onsite position in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, running approximately May through August, with exact dates to be determined. Compensation is $540 per week plus food and lodging valued at $200. The position requires living onsite in shared housing, working nontraditional and extended hours, and being on call for health, emergency, camper-supervision, and program needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and at least one year of college or equivalent work experience.
Documented experience supervising and leading peers and/or staff.
Proven waterfront skills, including swimming and watercraft.
At least two years of experience in waterfront areas and safe practices involving swimming, boating, and working near water.
Proven experience assessing swimmers’ abilities.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must pass a criminal background check acceptable to GSCO standards.
Must hold or be willing to obtain Lifeguard Certification, First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, Universal Standard Precautions, and Medication Administration certifications.
Ability to run programming six to eight hours daily, six to seven days per week.
Ability to work nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends, extended overnight periods, and extended work hours up to 22 hours per day; willingness to be on call at all times for health, emergency, camper-supervision, and program needs.
Ability to work at elevations of 8,000–9,500 feet and outdoors in inclement weather and loud, highly stimulating environments.
Ability to live onsite in shared housing with other staff and/or campers.
Ability to walk or hike more than two miles daily over uneven, unpaved terrain.
Ability to carry, lift, and/or transfer at least 75 pounds.
Ability to hear, listen, see, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, handle or feel with hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, and balance.
Interpersonal skills to work tactfully and congenially with people with a range of moods and behaviors.
Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience or interest in working with children.
Experience working in an outdoor program and/or camp setting.
Willingness to provide innovative and engaging program development and facilitation in an informal outdoor setting.

Responsibilities

Plan, lifeguard, instruct, and supervise waterfront activities, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Ensure waterfront activities are safe and adapt them to participants’ needs.
Supervise a team of two to three waterfront staff in delivering the waterfront program.
Train and orient staff in the proper use of specialized areas and materials and in program delivery.
Verify staff competence before assigning them to waterfront activities or supervisory roles, and monitor their performance throughout the season.
Evaluate and coach assigned staff.
Guide and supervise campers during waterfront activities and, when assigned, overnight camp sessions; support campers’ daily living, activities, and peer relationships.
Assist the Program Director with daily equipment and property upkeep and logs.
Maintain the cleanliness and organization of waterfront equipment and areas, and support the care, storage, maintenance, and use of program supplies and equipment.
Provide or support emergency procedures during on-site and off-site trip incidents, as well as health and wellness practices.
Provide assistance or coverage to other operational and program staff, including cabin, health, site, kitchen, and housekeeping staff.
Manage administrative responsibilities and help develop, review, and create daily, weekly, and activity schedules in coordination with other staff.
Maintain accurate logs, forms, inventory, and records; participate in camper and staff feedback processes as needed.
Participate in staff meetings and training, coordinate schedules with campers and staff, and observe program delivery to ensure goals and expectations are met.
Use digital systems including WorkBright, Slack, Instagram, and Facebook.
Protect confidential information concerning staff, volunteers, and campers.
Follow applicable policies, procedures, and standards, including those of the American Camping Association, Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints, and Colorado Department of Health and Human Services.
Support Girl Scouts of Colorado’s pluralism and diversity commitments and foster inclusive relationships across diverse groups.