Resident Camp Lifeguard/Counselor (Summer Season - Big Bear, CA)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Fawnskin, CA

5d•$2,504 - $2,544•Onsite

About The Position

The Resident Camp Lifeguard/Counselor supports the YMCA’s mission by providing youth with a safe, inclusive, and engaging camp experience. The role delivers progressive, age-appropriate programs and specialized activities throughout the summer season, including aquatic supervision and lifeguarding duties. For designated 2–3 weeks of the season, the counselor also takes primary residential responsibility for a cabin, providing 24-hour supervision and helping create a positive, supportive cabin community. The position includes camper supervision and engagement, health and safety monitoring, emergency readiness, facility and equipment stewardship, and compliance with YMCA and American Camp Association training and procedures. Depending on assigned duties, staff may also support dishwashing, housekeeping, camp maintenance, transportation, employee housing, and specialized activities. The counselor is expected to serve as a positive role model and uphold YMCA Core Values and camp policies. This is a seasonal position based at Camping Services in Fawnskin, California. The listed salary range is $2,504–$2,544 per month. The role may involve living in a cabin with campers during assigned residential weeks, working in aquatic and outdoor settings, and performing physically demanding tasks in varying weather and at approximately 7,000 feet elevation.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have current YMCA Lifeguarding certification; American Safety & Health Institute, American Red Cross, or American Heart Association BLS for the Professional Rescuer; Standard/Community First Aid; and Emergency Oxygen Administration, or be able to pass the Lifeguard Training Certification Course during the first week of training.
A provisional certification exception may apply: candidates may be hired before obtaining the listed certifications if they will be registered in a YMCA Lifeguard V7 course within 30 days of hire, have completed an interview, and passed the pre-employment skills assessment. Lifeguarding shifts may be scheduled only after certifications are obtained and approved in SafetyZone.
Certified American Red Cross lifeguards must obtain YMCA Lifeguarding Certification within 90 days of hire.
Ability to maintain required certifications and demonstrate lifeguarding skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
Ability to complete the listed swimming, treading-water, diving, object-retrieval, CPR, and other lifeguard skills assessments.
Ability to perform the physical, visual, and auditory functions needed to carry out essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to communicate and work with groups of campers of differing ages and skill levels, provide instruction, observe behavior, enforce safety rules, and apply behavior-management techniques.
Ability to respond to first-aid situations and assist campers during emergencies, including fire, evacuation, illness, or injury.
Ability to maintain constant supervision of campers and remain alert and focused for extended periods, including in high heat and humidity.
Adequate vision and hearing to identify hazards and distress signals and to continuously scan aquatic areas; ability to communicate clearly, project one’s voice, and give and receive directions.
Ability to perform strenuous water-rescue, resuscitation, and survival skills and act swiftly during emergencies.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform duties requiring coordination and manual dexterity.
Ability to work with daily exposure to sun and heat, at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, and in varying weather, including heat, cold, sun, rain, wind, and snow.
Ability to safely use tools, equipment, and PPE as trained and authorized, and perform duties such as snow removal, facility upkeep, material handling, and emergency response.
Ability to perform assigned duties involving extended periods in an elevated chair and safely move to and from it.
Must follow YMCA, ACA, manufacturer, and camp safety and risk-management guidelines.
Must follow camp policies, curfews, staff code of conduct, mandated reporting procedures, and YMCA Core Values.

Nice To Haves

1–2 years of lifeguard experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide continuous, uninterrupted scanning of pool and aquatic areas and enforce aquatic safety rules and procedures.
Inspect aquatic equipment and ensure appropriate equipment is available and in serviceable condition.
Respond immediately to emergencies in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures, complete required reports, and maintain required records.
Monitor aquatic areas and camp environments for hazards, report unsafe conditions, and take appropriate action.
Deliver age- and ability-appropriate camp activities, prepare activity areas, orient participants, and teach safe equipment use.
Debrief activities and evaluate program outcomes to support continuous improvement.
Build positive relationships with campers, participants, members, and fellow staff and promote youth well-being.
Supervise a designated cabin group of 8–10 campers and a Counselor-in-Training during assigned residential weeks, including providing 24-hour supervision and sleeping in the cabin.
Support campers’ physical and emotional well-being, use positive discipline, provide individual support, and escort campers safely between activities and scheduled events.
Maintain active supervision of campers and ensure staff and campers follow safety procedures and camp policies.
Conduct pre-use inspections and care for, clean, secure, organize, store, and pack camp supplies and equipment.
Complete required YMCA and American Camp Association training, certifications, assessments, and documentation; report incidents, hazards, policy violations, and operational concerns.
Support dishwashing operations by washing, sanitizing, storing, and restocking dishes and kitchen equipment and maintaining a clean dish room.
Complete assigned housekeeping tasks, keep facilities clean and safe, and securely manage cleaning supplies and equipment.
Assist with camp facility, grounds, and infrastructure upkeep, including assigned repairs, grounds care, supply replacement, and improvement projects.
When applicable, follow transportation policies and conduct pre-driving safety checks of assigned vehicles.
When applicable, maintain employee housing appropriately and follow YMCA and Camping Services housing policies.
Attend required staff meetings and trainings, accurately record and self-approve worked hours in Paycom, and uphold YMCA policies and values.
When assigned, complete specialized activity training and follow activity-specific safety procedures for areas such as ropes courses, aquatics, animal care, archery, or mountain biking.
If returning staff, model effective camper engagement and behavior management, help new staff learn camp routines, and guide peers in safety and emergency procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of camp operations and guest experiences.