Lifeguard

REPORTS TO:                     ASSISTANT HEAD LIFEGUARDS, HEAD LIFEGUARDS AND/OR AQUATICS DIRECTOR

PURPOSE:

To supervise guests at the town’s aquatic facilities, act to prevent accidents and injuries, and recognize and respond to potential emergencies when necessary.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Head Lifeguards, Head Lifeguards and Aquatics Director, the Lifeguard is responsible for scanning and surveying their assigned zone to prevent accidents and injuries.  The Lifeguard is also responsible to recognize and respond to potential emergencies.   Lifeguards must perform general maintenance duties to keep the aquatic facility clean and safe, and are responsible for the set-up and clean-up of daily equipment as well as assisting in the preparation for daily lessons.  Lifeguards are assigned other duties when not on chair.  All lifeguards must wear their uniform and be recognizable to members of the public and other staff, which includes wearing a whistle when on duty.

• Maintain a safe, clean environment at the aquatic facility for members of the public and other staff.
• Anticipate unsafe situations and use preventative measures and good judgment to eliminate such situations.
• Recognize and respond to all incidents, injuries and emergencies.  Provide treatment including CPR as necessary.        
• Enforce all facility and departmental rules and regulations.
• Provide swimming instruction and plan lessons, activities and games for program participants.
• Use communication skills and good judgement to resolve adverse situations.
• Provide exceptional customer service and maintain positive public relations at the aquatic facility.
• Participate in regular in-service training sessions.  Maintain appropriate level of fitness in order to competently perform all job-related tasks.  
• Work a varied schedule including nights and weekends.
• Arrive to work on time and prepared to work.  Find approved substitutes if unable to work scheduled shifts.
• Communicate any incidents, accidents, hazards, emergencies and injuries to supervisor and complete appropriate paperwork.  
• Inspect the facility and equipment on a daily basis and report any unsafe conditions or equipment to supervisors. 
• Other responsibilities as directed by supervisors.   

Required for essential duties; reasonable accommodations will be considered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This list is not all-inclusive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Must be mobile with the ability to get from one location in the office/work site(s) to another in the office/work site(s). 
• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of times.
• Ability to reach and bend, and push/pull or lift objects less than fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to see objects far away.
• Ability to hear normal sounds with background noise. 
• Ability to distinguish verbal communication and communicate through speech. 
• Ability to speak clearly with volume.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption, some pressure and changing priorities, and return to unfinished tasks when distracted and complete them efficiently.
• Memory to perform multiple and diverse tasks over long periods of time and ability to remember information that has been read, studied, or previously learned.
• Ability to use knowledge and reasoning to solve problems.
• Ability to learn and have an understanding of new information, methodologies and techniques and how they apply to departmental goals and operations.
• Ability to concentrate on tasks for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Full mobility in order to teach swimming in the water and rescue any adult or child in distress.
• Ability to maneuver around a 25 yard and/or Olympic size pool and quickly respond in an emergency.
• Ability to swim, dive, and rescue.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, including a hot, humid, wet and chlorinated environment.  
• Ability to operate computer and other typical business equipment.

THE TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

• Demonstrate knowledge of aquatic programs, equipment and rescue techniques.
• Demonstrate knowledge of all rules, regulations, policies and procedures used by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Ability to make decisions following established policies and operating procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town staff, volunteers, sponsors, and the general public.
• Ability to enforce rules and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.        Ability to explain the rationale for the rule(s) when needed.  
• Ability to stay alert and maintain a safe environment at an aquatic facility.

Lifeguards must be at least 15 years of age and meet the following criteria:

• Current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid.
• Certification as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) recommended

The above job description is illustrative only, and is not a complete itemization of all facets of the job.   

Salary : $16 - $18