Lifeguard

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lifeguard (LG) while on duty is responsible for his/her zone. The primary responsibility of all aquatics employees is to ensure a safe and friendly environment for all participants. This includes ensuring the safety of participants while they are in the pool area, including the hot tub area. The lifeguard is responsible for the general maintenance and cleanliness of the pool/s and hot tub and all problems should be reported to a supervisor. Lifeguards are responsible for ensuring that their certifications in lifeguarding, CPR-PR, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, and AED stay current.

KNOW HOW

The LG must be alert and enthusiastic and portray a professional and positive mental attitude incorporating YMCA philosophies and goals into the job. The LG will be able to relate positively to a variety of people, including other staff and patrons. The LG will be responsible for recognizing potentially dangerous situations, tactfully enforcing rules as needed and responding immediately and appropriately in an aquatic emergency.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Practices preventative lifeguarding: Maintains constant surveillance of pool area using the 10/10 scan.
• Oversees all activities in the pool, ensuring the safety of all participants in and around the pool area.
• Serves as a Primary Responder in case of injury, accident or illness and is knowledgeable about emergency procedures.
• Reports injuries or incidents and completes appropriate and required Accident or Incident Form.
• Refrains from other duties such as testing chemicals, storing equipment, etc., while actively guarding. Additional duties should be completed prior to or after actively guarding or during a shift rotation when there is a short break from actively guarding. Keeps the pool area clean and orderly; monitors locker rooms.
• Enforces aquatic rules and policies.
• Exhibits a professional attitude at all times and assesses physical limitations of patrons, monitors behavior in the pool, and tactfully enforces all rules. Signals for assistance when needed.
• Responds to non-aquatic emergencies as needed.
• Monitors the hot tub and enforces hot tub rules.
• Maintains all aquatic equipment by ensuring proper use and storage on a daily basis.
  Reports any broken equipment or unsafe aspects of the pool to immediate supervisor.
• Tests pool water temperature and chemical levels daily, reporting any concerns to a supervisor.
• Supports and follows YMCA policies and decisions and answer members questions about the YMCA

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Be on time and in uniform for each shift. Uniform consists of a one-piece bathing suit, lifeguard shirt, solid color shorts, and whistle.
• Anyone with long hair must have it pulled back, out of the face.
• Ornamentation which pierces the skin is a safety hazard and may not be worn while on duty.
• Follow proper rotation protocol.
• Secure qualified substitute lifeguard when needed with prior approval of supervisor.
• Participate in random and scheduled lifeguard drills successfully.
• Attend regular in-service staff meetings and yearly Association in-services.
• Follow all of the facility rules as an example to participants.
• All other reasonable duties as assigned that meet work experience and training by supervisor.

Qualifications

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Current Lifeguard, First Aid and CPR-PR/AED certifications.
• Past experience lifeguarding is preferred.

FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES of the POSITION

Essential functions are the fundamental job duties, meaning the position exists to perform the function; there is a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function can be distributed; and/or the incumbent is hired for expertise or ability to perform the function due to its high specialization. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and associated Federal regulations protect qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of employment. To be considered qualified, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of a position, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important that the physical tasks associated with the essential functions be identified appropriately so that persons with disabilities can determine if any accommodation is necessary.

GENERAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS.

Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES LIST

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and make fine discriminations in sound.

VISUAL ACUITY

The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, thoroughness of work assigned (i.e., security guard, inspection, etc.)

WORKING CONDITIONS

The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.

The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives.

Collaboration: Assists with inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides youth with coaching, guidance and support.

Personal Growth: Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge.