Head Lifeguard (Northwest)

Why Your Role Matters
Under the direction of the Aquatics Director, the Head Lifeguard will be a key carrier and is responsible for opening or closing duties. The Head Lifeguard Lead provides leadership in maintaining safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas. This includes but is not limited to creating a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes member safety and engagement in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.

How You Make an Impact

• Provides leadership and guidance to other lifeguards during a shift and sets the example with exceptional lifesaving skills.
• Protect the health, safety, and welfare of all persons in the pool area.
• Leads pool maintenance duties including, but not limited to taking and recording water tests at regular intervals, adjusting chemicals.
• Maintains cleanliness of the area; remove items that need attention and report all needed repairs to your supervisor.
• Follow personal attire requirements including wearing a staff t-shirt, appropriate swim attire (for women, this consists of one-piece suits), a whistle, fanny pack with rescue mask and rescue tube while on duty.
• Know, understand, obey and enforce all rules and policies of the YMCA equally.
• Know and follow the Greater Austin YMCA's People's Resources Guidelines, Code of Ethics, payroll procedures (including completing timesheets), and established emergency procedures.
• Know and facilitate pool schedule (i.e. put in or remove lane markers).
• Render first aid as needed and complete incident/accident report form for every injury/altercation on the premises.
• Greet all members and participants and record attendance.
• Attend all required meetings and/or trainings.
• Arrive on deck at least 5 minutes prior to guarding assignment and complete your designated shift until your substitute arrives.
• Never leave the pool area while guarding unless another certified guard can watch the pool. If another guard is not available, you must remove the swimmers from the pool.
• Secure a substitute lifeguard if you cannot make a scheduled shift.
• If your shift ends when the pool is closing, clear the pool of all swimmers, turn off the lights and lock doors.
• Actively and enthusiastically support the Branch and Association goals and directions through effective completion of tasks and verbal display to peers, staff, members and guests.
• Take leading role in emergency situations and guide the team.
• May assist in scheduling lifeguards and coordinating pool activities.
• Lead by example the Y's mission, vision, and values with program participants, members, staff and guests.
• Become an Ambassador of the Y's work and culture by being the ultimate storyteller of who we are as an organization and brand.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What You Bring to the Y

• At least one year of lifeguarding experience required.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Current YMCA Lifeguard certification or American Red Cross certification
• Current First Aid, CPR/AED and Emergency Oxygen certifications. Completion of the YMCA Compliance Trainings once employed.
• Must be interested in contributing to the mission of the YMCA.
• Must have basic aquatic skills.
• Some previous experience in aquatics is preferred, but not required
• Must have reliable transportation to attend work
• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance and adhere to a welcoming and professional dress code.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals
• Computer aptitude and/or experience and have the ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• You have a growth mindset - You quickly learn from failure and value feedback in the effort to continuously improve.
• You are a team player - You are a team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude and you can work well with others.
• You communicate effectively - You listen for understanding and meaning. You speak and write effectively.
• You are customer focus – You build good customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.
• You foster a culture of inclusion and belonging - You leverage people's differences as strengths.
• You are organized and productive. You are organized, able to prioritize tasks, and handle multiple assignments.

Physical Requirements:
The role requires comfort working in a pool environment, with exposure to water, chlorine, and varying temperatures. Lifeguards must be able to stand, walk, swim, and remain alert for extended periods. The position involves hearing and distinguishing distress signals, visually scanning all areas of the pool, and responding quickly to emergencies. Additionally, it requires lifting and moving equipment, children, and performing other physical tasks related to pool supervision and instruction. Effective verbal communication, including projecting your voice across distances in both normal and noisy conditions, is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Benefit from a free household YMCA membership, enriching both your life and the lives of others.
• Access retirement planning options to secure your future.
• Enhance your skills through participation in learning and development workshops.
• Exclusive cell phone plan discounts for AT&T and T-Mobile/Sprint users.
• Discounts on programs and services to make your YMCA experience even more rewarding.

The Greater Austin YMCA is a nonprofit community enterprise with a purpose of elevating quality of life in central Texas by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our dynamically growing community. Founded in 1953 and anchored in three Central Texas counties, the Y has served close to 500,000 people and provided more than $30M in financial assistance and program subsidies over the past 10 years. We operate 8 community centers and Camp Moody along with 6 early childhood education centers, 60 afterschool programs on school campuses in four districts, and 20 summer camps, with 1500 staff team members, 1000 volunteers, and a $48M annual operating budget.

Additional Information:

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Greater Austin YMCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Greater Austin YMCA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which we have employees. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.