Lifeguard
About The Position
The Lifeguard maintains safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas, creating a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes member safety and engagement in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. The role provides continuous surveillance of the aquatic area, enforces safety standards, checks equipment, responds to emergencies, maintains required records, and helps identify ways to improve safety. Lifeguards must complete required aquatic safety assessments and attend staff meetings and trainings as required. The position involves extended periods of sitting in an elevated chair while remaining alert and focused, including in high heat and humidity. Lifeguards must be able to scan the entire zone, hear and distinguish distress signals despite background noise, move safely around the facility, communicate clearly, and perform strenuous rescue, resuscitation, and survival skills. Lifeguards under age 18 must work alongside an on-duty Lifeguard over age 18.
Requirements
- Minimum age of 16.
- Current YMCA Lifeguarding certification, or certification from the American Safety & Health Institute, American Red Cross, or American Heart Association; BLS for the Professional Rescuer; Standard/Community First Aid; and Emergency Oxygen Administration.
- A candidate may be hired before obtaining the required certifications if they will be registered in a YMCA Lifeguard V6 course within 30 days of hire, have participated in an interview, and have passed the pre-employment skills assessment. Lifeguarding shifts may be scheduled only after certifications are obtained and approved in SafetyZone.
- American Red Cross-certified lifeguards must obtain YMCA Lifeguarding Certification within 90 days of hire.
- Ability to maintain required certifications and demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
- Ability to perform the physical, visual, and auditory functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Ability to tread water for 2 minutes using legs only; swim 250 yards of front crawl; swim 50 yards each of front crawl with head up, breaststroke, breaststroke with head up, and elementary backstroke kick with hands on the chest; and perform the specified surface dives, underwater swim, object retrieval, treading, pool exit, and CPR demonstration.
- Ability to sit for extended periods in an elevated chair, stay alert and focused on the full zone of responsibility, and move safely to various locations including entering and exiting an elevated chair.
- Adequate hearing to distinguish distress signals in aquatic environments with significant background noise and clear vision to continuously scan all areas of the pool.
- Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a water rescue and perform rescue, resuscitation, and survival skills.
- Ability to communicate immediately during incidents and emergencies, project voice across distances, communicate clearly with emergency personnel, and give and receive directions.
- Ability to act swiftly during emergencies, including when unsure whether a person is in danger.
- Lifeguards under age 18 must always work alongside an on-duty Lifeguard over age 18.
Nice To Haves
- 1–2 years of lifeguard experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide continuous, uninterrupted scanning of the pool and aquatic area.
- Follow the Minimum Standards of Safety for Aquatic Activities 7.301 and consistently enforce pool and aquatic-area safety rules, policies, and guidelines.
- Perform equipment checks and ensure appropriate equipment is available as needed.
- Use problem-solving skills to make quick decisions, instruct, evaluate, supervise, and recognize potential danger or injury.
- Maintain effective, positive relationships with members, participants, and other staff.
- Review emergency procedures and respond immediately to emergencies in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
- Complete related reports and maintain accurate records required by the YMCA and/or state Health Department code.
- Identify ways to improve safety standards and continuously monitor the aquatic area for hazardous or unsafe conditions.
- Immediately report hazardous or unsafe conditions to management and take appropriate action.
- Successfully complete and pass periodic aquatic safety assessments.
- Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
- Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
- Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and fellow staff.
- Develop competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
