Head Pool Lifeguard (Full-time/Permanent)

Description

Nestled in one of the most breathtaking locations in the country, the City of South Lake Tahoe’s Parks and Recreation Department (SLT at Play) offers a unique opportunity to build a rewarding career while serving the community. Our team is dedicated to enhancing the community experience by providing access to well-maintained parks, a variety of recreational programs, and memorable events. We invite you to explore, engage, and thrive with us as we foster a vibrant and active community.

This is an exciting time to join our team as we prepare to open a new Recreation & Aquatics Center. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a vibrant hub for our community, offering a wide range of activities and resources for all ages. We offer a collaborative work environment, competitive benefits, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. We invite you to be part of this transformation moment and contribute to something truly exceptional.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
• Education Incentive Pay and Tuition Reimbursement
• Bilingual Incentive Pay
• 88 Hours of Vacation Time
• 12 days of Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Wellness Program and Gym Reimbursement
• Professional Development Opportunities
• CalPERS Pension
• City employees may also qualify for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

• Proof of American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
• Proof of American Red Cross Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Professional Rescuer
• Resume

Summary Description
Under direct supervision of the Recreation Manager, provides lead supervision for Lifeguards, monitors activities at pool, functions as a Lifeguard, oversee and monitors the daily activities of the City aquatics staff and programs. Prepare and maintain routine reports on staff and operations; prepare staff schedules; supervise the care and maintenance of swim lesson and lifesaving equipment; inventory equipment and supplies; enforce water safety rules and regulations; perform rescues; perform first aid and resuscitation; act as a liaison between the public, staff, and office personnel; suggest program improvements; supervise routine maintenance; plan and facilitate staff meetings and in-service training; handle general daily functions of an aquatics facility; notify supervisors of disturbances, emergencies and staff performance problems; open and close swimming facilities; assist in the planning, organization, set up and tear down of accommodations for special events and facility rentals, assist manager as requested.

Identifying characteristics
The Head Lifeguard is the advanced journey-level classification in the Lifeguard series and distinguished by the performance of oversight duties at the facility with minimal instruction or assistance. Incumbents are expected to function independently when performing regularly assigned tasks and are expected to effectively problem solve situations within the parameters of designated job duties. Incumbents must have experience as a lifeguard and also perform both lifeguarding and swim instruction duties.

Examples of Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Assist the Recreation Manager to plan, prioritize, train, assign, supervise and review the work of aquatics staff.

2. Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures of the facility and its programs and staff.

3. Orients new lifeguards to job duties and responsibilities.

4. Ensures that all lifeguards are current on their training and certifications through scheduling, coordinating, and conducting in-service training.

5. Leads and organizes events at the pool and collaborates with non-aquatics personnel to maintain aquatics operations.

6. Ensures that aquatic programs are occurring as desired and assists with the overall management of swimming events.

7. Perform general pool and daily facility maintenance as assigned.

8. Open and close assigned facility.

9. Assist with sanitary control measures performing occasional pool maintenance clean up, and pre-measured chemical treatment in the absence of aquatic maintenance personnel.

10. Maintain order and discipline.

11. Prevent unsafe practices and enforce department and pool rules and regulations.

12. Ensure that the facility and equipment are in safe condition.

13. Correct hazards whenever possible.

14. Report any hazards not immediately rectifiable.

15. Observe and assess swimmers in the pool area from an assigned station to identify and prevent unsafe conditions or potential hazards.

Explain and enforce pool rules to provide a safe and accident-free pool environment.

16. Administer CPR, AED, and American Red Cross first aid when necessary.

17. Perform lifeguard and swim instructor duties.

18. Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Basic swim strokes (crawl, breast, back, side and elementary back)
American Red Cross lifeguarding principles and lifesaving skills
Water safety practices
Leadership techniques and methods
General pool maintenance functions.

Ability to:
Pass basic swim test as applied to all aquatics staff including being able to swim 300 yards continuously while demonstrating breathing control and rhythmic breathing, tread water for two minutes using the legs only, and complete a timed weight retrieval from the deepest section of the pool.
Rescue persons using Red Cross Lifeguard techniques
Remain calm in emergency situations
Demonstrate patience when working with patrons of all ages
Maintain high fitness level
Maintain courtesy and communicate with diplomacy to secure voluntary compliance with facility policies and rules
Prepare written reports and records, assist with daily maintenance of the swimming facility
Resolve problems efficiently using diplomacy and tact.
Availability to work days, early mornings, late evenings and weekends and modify schedule seasonally to maintain aquatics operations.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible experience including some lead supervisory experience. Certificates:

Must possess all of the following at time of appointment:
American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
American Red Cross Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Title 22 - First Aid for Public Safety Personnel within six-months of employment.
Must possess or obtain American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor (LGI) certification within one-year (12) months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information

Environment: Works in an inside/outside aquatics facility environment, in seasonal climate and weather conditions; works with slippery surface conditions, where water and swimming pool chemicals are frequently encountered; and subject to emergency situations.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field setting; to sitting, walking, standing, and swimming for prolonged periods of time; bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching; reaches with hands and arms; lifts, pushes, and pulls up to 200 pounds when responding to emergency lifesaving situations; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate pool equipment; mental capability to observe people and situations, and respond calmly in emergency situations.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction, speaking sufficient to exchange information in person.

FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt