Shift Leader - Furman Aquatic Center

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information

The City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting applications for Furman Aquatic Center Shift Leaders for the 2025 Summer Season!

Candidates interested in this opportunity can expect to work 35-40 hours per week with a rotating schedule (including weekend shifts), April through September. Most work hours will be during the pool season, between May and September, but will include hours for training and assistance with pool preparations prior to opening for the summer season and assisting with closing the facility through mid-September. This position will also assist with staff in-service training events and participate during weekly shift leader meetings (tentatively Fridays, 9am-11am).

Under the general supervision of the Aquatics Manager, the Shift Leader position provides general supervision for the aquatic staff at the Furman Aquatic Center. The Shift Leader is directly accountable to the Recreation Assistant and the Aquatics Manager, and adjunctly accountable to the Parks & Recreation Superintendent and the Director of Parks & Recreation.

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee aquatic staffing plan (e.g. shift meeting, rotations and assignments, rescue equipment, etc.).
• Oversee patron surveillance (i.e. lifeguard alertness and vigilance, consistent rule enforcement, etc.).
• Oversee enacting of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) as needed.

• Perform opening and closing procedures (unlocking/locking, lights/features, cleaning etc.) as outlined.
• Perform daily operations (e.g. chemical testing, announcements, deep water test, etc.) as outlined.
• Complete required paperwork for record keeping (e.g. incident reports, water testing, etc.) as outlined.
• Assist the Aquatics Manager with lifeguard orientation and in-service training.
• Assist the Aquatics Manager with formal and informal staff recognition and evaluation.
• Assist the Aquatics Manager with live action drills and performance checks.
• Supervise internal and external groups and activities (swim team, swim lessons, aqua classes, rentals, etc.).
• Other assigned duties as assigned by the Aquatics Manager.

• Prepare work schedules and payroll.
• Perform daily facility safety checks and follow through on required action.
• Communicate with aquatic staff through various media (e.g. scheduling app, email, social media, etc.).
• Maintain current inventory of supplies and notify the Recreation Assistant and/or Aquatics Manager of items needed.

• Serve as the primary contact/person in charge during evening and weekend hours, as assigned.
• Assist the Recreation Assistant and/or Aquatics Manager with hiring and training of aquatic staff.
• Mentor, coach, and develop all staff members.
• Oversee staff during in-service training events.
• Prepare work schedules and payroll for deck staff and supervises their activities.
• Delegate facility specific tasks to aquatic staff.
• Ensure proper staffing levels by calling in additional staff or cutting staff, dependent on the situation.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws including, but not limited to, child labor laws.
• Maintain constant monitoring for accidents or potential accidents.
• Enforce rules governing the conduct of persons at the swimming pool and warns patrons of hazardous practices.
• Recognize emergency situations and react appropriately in a quick and calm manner.
• Assist persons in distress by applying safety techniques, CPR, first aid, and water rescues as needed, within the scope of their training.

Qualifications

Age Requirement:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• High School Diploma, G.E.D. or HiSet.
• Minimum of one year lifeguarding experience is required. Leadership experience in pool operation and management is preferred.

• American Red Cross Lifeguard, First Aid and AED/CPR certification required.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and/or Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certification required.

• Knowledge of lifeguarding principles and water safety best practices.
• Knowledge of pool water quality control, mechanical functions of pool equipment and general facility safety.
• Demonstrate sufficient physical fitness, communication skills, initiative, dependability, organization, enthusiasm, leadership, and a desire to serve the public.
• Ability to maintain an exceptional level of safety and sanitation of the pool facility.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor (calm and courteous) at all times while on site.
• Ability to maintain a professional appearance (staff shirt w/ guard suit, khaki or red shorts) at all times while on site.
• Ability to understand, appreciate and embody the City of Ames Core Values.

Supplemental Information

Physical and Environmental Characteristics:
Examples of Equipment Used on the Job: Water rescue equipment, chemical test kits, calculator, computer and related software, personnel policies manual, recreation equipment, telephone, audiovisual equipment, copy machine, and minor hand tools
Required Physical Activities: Standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, and swimming.
Physical Characteristics of Work: The work involves intermittent periods of standing and sitting with sitting 25% of the time (includes using a computer); standing (but not walking) 35% of the time; standing and walking 40% of the time; frequently lifting objects under 10 pounds; occasionally lifting objects from 10 to 25 pounds; infrequently lifting objects from 25 to 50 pounds; and infrequently lifting objects over 50 pounds.
Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection involving small defects or parts, operation of machines (including inspection), and measurement devices.
Environmental Conditions: The work is performed both inside and outside. Exposure to outside weather conditions, noise, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, and atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin. The work may require wearing a respirator, working in confined spaces, or being exposed to extreme heat.

Selection Process:
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience, interview, and completion of a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.

NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.

E-Verify Process:
The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

E-Verify Process:

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.