What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lifeguard - Reidsville YMCA position at YMCA of Greensboro?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lifeguard is responsible for maintaining safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck and surrounding areas, and creating a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes member safety and engagement in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. In addition, every position in the YMCA of Greensboro is responsible for carrying out our promise to strengthen the foundations of community with focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility while upholding our values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Maintains active surveillance of the pool area, monitoring the pool and pool patrons for signs of unsafe conditions or distress and responding appropriately to ensure the safety of the patrons. Anticipates and prevents problems and accidents in and around the pool.
- Knows/reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
Completes incident and accident reports as necessary. - Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants and other staff.
- Knows, understands and consistently applies safety rules, policies and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area. Maintains accurate records as required by the YMCA and/or state Health Department code.
- Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
- Checks the pool for hazardous conditions when arriving.
- When not guarding, maintains cleanliness of pool and performs chemical testing as required and takes appropriate action. When pool is closed due to weather or contamination, the lifeguard on duty is responsible for assisting at the front desk until the pool can re-open.
- Performs swim tests as needed and enforces the swim policies.
- Attends all Aquatic staff meetings and monthly in-service training.
- Maintains all Red Cross Lifeguard swim competencies and rescue skills and can perform all lifeguard responsibilities independently without assistance or back-up.
- For HeadGuard:
a. Serves as Lifeguard and performs duties of the Lifeguard position and job description.
b. Leads, guides and directs the activities of other Lifeguards on duty.
c. Assists with the supervision of Lifeguard rotation system in the absence of the Aquatic Director or Coordinator
d. Verifies logs are being kept and up to date and the drops are done monthly on ever Lifeguard
e. Works with pool patrons and Lifeguard to correct behaviors as needed for safe, positive atmosphere.
f. Assist supervisor with training of new Lifeguard staff on YMCA Aquatic policies and procedures.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities. For Head Lifeguard- No formal supervisory responsibilities, but may provide input to the supervisor on performance issues occurring during the absence of director or coordinator.
PRIMARY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Communication & Influence – Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.
- Critical Thinking and Decision Making – Makes informed decisions based on logic, data and sound judgment.
- Developing Self and Others – Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally to achieve their highest potential.
- Emotional Maturity – Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
- Functional Expertise – Executes superior technical skills for the role.
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 ability required. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be at least 15 years of age. For Head Lifeguard- Requires six months to a year of related experience and training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Requires the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
- Requires the ability to maintain certification level of physical and mental readiness. Must be able to assertively enforce aquatic rules with a positive customer service approach to the participant.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; sit in an elevated chair; climb into an elevated chair or balance; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in an environment with significant background noise. The employee is always required to hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility. The employee is frequently required to walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds in rescue situations.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, and ability to see through clear water to the bottom of a pool.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud.
- Requires current certifications for CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, First Aid and Emergency Oxygen Administration, Blood Borne Pathogen certification as well as current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard certification (crossover of YMCA to American Red Cross Lifeguard certification required within 6 months).
