What are the responsibilities and job description for the SEASONAL BEACH OCEAN LIFEGUARD position at Cameron County?
SEASONAL BEACH OCEAN LIFEGUARD
SALARY: 17.00
SECTION I - JOB DESCRIPTION
SUMMARY:
Beach Safety Lifeguards will guard their assigned area of responsibility, implement preventative lifeguarding practices and respond to emergencies in the water and on land. Lifeguards will educate beach-goers about beach safety, beach ordinances and monitor beach activities to maintain public safety. Lifeguards will communicate with other Beach Safety and Parks and Recreation personal regularly.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Primary responsibility is to help ensure patron safety and protect lives by monitoring activities in and near the water through effective patron surveillance.
- Prevent injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors.
- Enforce park rules and regulations and educate beach-goers about them.
- Recognize and respond quickly and effectively to all emergencies.
- Administer first aid and CPR or use an AED in an emergency when necessary.
- Work as a team with other lifeguards, park staff and management.
- Demonstrate Lifeguard professionalism.
- Exhibit maturity in all situations.
- Be reliable, courteous and consistent.
- Have a positive attitude.
- Be healthy and fit; participate in workouts.
- Perform secondary duties as assigned, such as cleaning or performing maintenance of equipment, complete records or reports in an accurate or timely fashion and perform safety checks and inspections.
- Attend all regularly scheduled trainings and meetings.
- Will be responsible for placing appropriate colored flags in accordance with water conditions.
- Lifeguards will perform other duties as assigned.
SECTION II - JOB REQUREMENTS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be at least16 years old.
- Must have strong swimming ability; must pass (500 meters in less than 9 minute) swim tests.
- Must pass drug screen.
- Obtain criminal background check clearance.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS:
- USLA Open Water Lifeguard
- American Red Cross or American Heart Association Professional CPR/AED
- American Red Cross or Ellis and Associates Lifeguard, Open Water or Waterfront Lifeguard
- First Aid
Training and certification will be provided to hired applicants; Lifeguards must be able to pass certification courses. Lifeguards will need to pay for the cost of the provided certification course.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Lifeguards must take responsibility to help protect the lives of people in a variety of aquatic activities. Must maintain a high level of knowledge and skills for being a professional rescuer. Will have the legal responsibility to act in an emergency. Will need to develop skills for effective communication with the public. Must be willing to be a leader as well as a good team member. Will need to demonstrate maturity, professionalism and competence in specialized rescue techniques. Ability to communicate effectively is a must, preferred in both English and Spanish. Lifeguard must have the ability to work in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
SECTION III - JOB DIMENSIONS
CONTACTS:
Lifeguard reports directly to Beach Safety Coordinator. Communicates with Local, State and Federal law enforcement entities, other Emergency Medical Service providers, other park system staff and the general public.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Lifeguard will maintain cohesive team interaction on a daily basis. Maintain professional relationships in both the internal work environment with co-workers and external work environment with the public and public agencies. The Cameron County Beach Safety Lifeguard should be able to exhibit professionalism and respond appropriately in highly stressful/emergency situations. Lifeguard staff must carry out written and verbal instructions. Beach Safety staff will be responsible for keeping flag advisory system updated.
WORKING CONDITION:
Work Schedule:
- Work full time hours during the season which is from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Must be able to work the major holidays including Easter, Holy Week, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.
- Fill shifts as needed.
Work Environment:
- Outdoor weather conditions - wet, hot, humid, cold, windy conditions outside.
- Vibration - to both hands/wrists/arms from handle bars when driving or riding the water rescue crafts.
- Moderate to loud noise levels - from people, cars, boats, sirens, etc.
- Will be required to safely use and maintain equipment.
Physical Demands:
Subject to sitting, walking, standing, bending, reaching and twisting to perform the essential job functions. Physical requirements may include heavy lifting/carrying, over 50 lbs. Regular workouts and swimming is required.
Sensory Requirements:
- VISUAL
- Identify and distinguish colors for warning flags, buoys, glare from sun, etc.
- Maintain visual control over area of responsibility, while observing peripheral objects.
- Ability to perform constant visual scanning of water.
- Judge distances and spatial relationships.
- HEARING
- Distinguish sounds of very low volume or at low or high sound extremes.
- Distinguish "normal" sounds versus calls for distress.
- Listen for changes in weather.
- TOUCH
- Distinguish textures through touch while swimming in the water.
AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER