Lifeguard I

Willamalane Park and Recreation District•Springfield, OR

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lifeguard I monitors swimmers and other guests at swim center facilities, responds to safety incidents and emergencies as trained, and provides guest service. The role requires sound independent judgment, professional communication, implementation of facility policies, and active coordination with Aquatics leadership and other staff. Employees may be assigned shifts across facilities according to operational needs and work under the supervision of an Aquatics Supervisor. Supervision of others is not normally part of the role. This is a year-round, part-time, non-exempt, non-benefitted position of up to 19.75 hours per week. Schedules vary and may include mornings, midday, afternoons, evenings, weekends, pool rentals, and special events. Additional hours are required for departmental meetings, in-service training, opening and closing duties, and occasional events and rentals. Candidates who need lifeguard certification will be scheduled for training with Willamalane at no cost. Certification, including CPR/AED certification and bloodborne pathogen training, must be obtained within two months of hire; inability to obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard certification results in termination. A pre-employment drug screen is required because the position is safety sensitive. Work is performed inside the facility. Pool-area temperatures are generally around 82–88°F with humidity and may be warmer in summer. Noise exposure is high on deck and low to moderate in office and other areas. Reasonable accommodation may be available, evaluated individually.

Requirements

American Red Cross Lifeguard training.
Possess or obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard certification, including CPR/AED certifications and bloodborne pathogen training, within two months of hire; failure to obtain lifeguard certification results in termination.
Ability to meet American Red Cross pre-course requirements: swim 150 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, tread water for two minutes using only the legs, swim another 50 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, and retrieve a 10-pound object from 10 feet of water within 1 minute 40 seconds after swimming 20 yards.
Knowledge of swimming pool and guest safety, lifeguarding methods and practices, emergency care and assessment, and emergency procedures.
Skills in lifeguarding, emergency care and assessment, CPR, AED, first aid, professional communication, and working with guests and staff.
Ability to make responsible professional decisions without direct supervision; monitor guest safety; respond effectively to emergencies; interpret and implement facility policies; communicate and work cooperatively; arrive promptly and prepared; accept direction; and continue learning and improving.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
Ability to work assigned shifts across facilities based on operational needs and maintain active communication with Aquatics leadership.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent standing, bending, swimming, lifting and towing in water, and assisting with pool mats and emergency rescues.
Ability to lift and carry tables and chairs weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance, maneuver a 300-pound mat cart with proper safety tools, and lift and tow people generally weighing 20 to 200 pounds through the water and onto the deck with assistance.
A pre-employment drug screen is required.

Nice To Haves

American Red Cross Lifeguard training with the Waterpark learning module.
Experience as a lifeguard.
Spanish or ASL bilingual skills; an additional hourly rate is contingent on passing a proficiency test.

Responsibilities

Vigilantly observe swimmers and guests in assigned areas and monitor their safety.
Perform rescues and administer emergency care and assessment as trained and necessary.
Initiate or participate in a coordinated team response to incidents.
Stay current on departmental communications and directives, and promptly respond to shift, facility, and scheduling communications.
Encourage guests to comply with facility-use policies and procedures.
Initiate and perform services for guests and coworkers, and answer guest questions about programs, activities, policies, and practices.
Perform light custodial maintenance, including cleaning decks, break rooms, bathrooms, change rooms, and locker areas as assigned.
Handle pool covers and mat carts, including removing and applying covers and mats.
Attend and participate in in-service training; retain and demonstrate skills and coordinate actions with team members.
Respond positively to correction and direction, seek resolution to misunderstandings or performance problems, and work within established chains of responsibility and authority.
Participate in department programs that promote continual learning and improvement.
Perform other job-related duties as required.

Benefits

Paid sick leave accrues at one hour for every 30 hours worked, beginning on the date of hire; part-time staff may use sick leave beginning on their 91st day of employment.
Annual cost-of-living increase of up to 4%, as approved by the Board.
A 3% merit increase after successful completion of the initial probationary period, with increases of up to 3% annually thereafter as approved by the Board.
Additional $1 per hour upon successful completion of a Spanish or ASL competency test.
Discount on selected childcare programs, subject to restrictions.
25% discount on certain recreation programs.
Free use of pools for lap and play swim for the employee; household-member discounts.
Free use of the fitness center for the employee; household-member discounts.
Free wellness programs for the employee.
Payroll direct deposit is available.