Closing Lifeguard

Job Title: Lifeguard   
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt YMCA Leadership Level: Leader
Reports to: Aquatics Director/Aquatics Shift Supervisor

Our Cause:
The Y is a powerful association of men, women, and children of all ages and from all walks of life 
joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a 
sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials 
needed to learn, grow, and thrive. Anchored in more than 10,000 neighborhoods around the country, 
the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical present to not just promise, but deliver, 
lasting personal and social change.
In today’s uncertain times, one thing remains certain – the Y is, and always will be, the builder 
of healthy, confident, connected, and secure children, families, and communities.
Our Promise:
We are the strongest when we promise to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and 
thrive at the Y.
We accomplish that when we value the diversity of everyone’s personal beliefs, respect the rights 
to those beliefs, and we expect all to honor our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and 
responsibility with one another — everything we do stems from that expectation.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Aquatics Director, the Lifeguard is charged with effectively and safely 
supervising the pool environment to prevent drowning and injuries by providing safety instructions, 
recognizing, and responding to emergencies, and rendering CPR and first aid in accordance with the 
policies established by the YMCA. These policies must be followed within the National YMCA 
guidelines

Essential Functions:

1. Maintains rescue readiness at all times. Is in uniform holding a rescue tube with its strap 
   across chest, wearing sun protection and sunglasses (if outside), and carrying a whistle, a pocket 
   mask, and gloves. Practices skills frequently to ensure readiness
   and confidence to render effective aid when necessary.
2. Always positions to protect entire assigned zone of responsibility. Positions in an elevated 
   chair or platform or stands or patrols at the edge of the pool so that all parts of the assigned 
   zone, including the bottom of the pool are visible. Moves to change position when any area of 
   assigned zone is not visible due to glare or obstruction. Performs a thorough check of assigned 
   zone before taking position and after being relieved to make sure the bottom of the pool is clear.
3. Is singularly focused and is never distracted by personal or secondary activities. This includes 
   texting, talking on a cell phone, reading, eating, conversing unnecessarily, moving lane lines, 
   conducting water quality checks, or cleaning up the deck while on scanning duty. Does not bring any 
   personal items other than water and sun protection (when necessary) while on active duty.
4. Aggressively scans entire area of responsibility. Is constantly vigilant to all patrons and to 
   all activity on and below the water’s surface, on the pool bottom and on the pool deck.
5. Constantly enforces non-swimmer protection & other safety rules. Identifies children marked as 
   non-swimmers or children who have not yet been marked and makes sure that all are in shallow water 
   and are protected. Takes immediate corrective action when swimmers, even experienced swimmers, 
   break rules or engage in risky behavior. If warnings are not heeded, notifies manager or other 
   senior member of staff immediately.
6. Clears the pool if the pool is unsafe. If for any reason, the above five core functions cannot 
   be fulfilled or if the pool is otherwise unsafe, the lifeguard is expected to blow his or her 
   whistle and clear the pool until the problem can be corrected.
7. Attends all mandatory in-service training & staff meetings as required.
8. Responsible for finding coverage. If unable to work a shift notify a supervisor via phone call.
9. Performs “off scan” duties as assigned. Example of “off scan” duties include but are not limited 
   to, performs water chemistry tests as required, correctly documents, and takes appropriate action 
   based on test results. Documents accidents and incidents completely, accurately and notifies 
   manager within 24 hours of incident. Helps to keep pool area clean & tidy.
10. Other duties as required.
    YMCA Leadership Competencies
    Mission Advancement:

• VALUES - Demonstrates in word and action the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and 
  responsibility and a commitment to the Y’s mission, in all matters at all times.
• COMMUNITY - Delivers the benefits of good health, strong connections, greater self-confidence, 
  and a sense of security to all who seek it.
  Collaboration:
• INCLUSION - Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting 
  practices that support diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
• RELATIONSHIPS - Builds authentic relationships in the service of enhancing individual and team 
  performance to support the Y’s work.
• COMMUNICATION - Listens and expresses self effectively and in a manner that reflects a true 
  understanding of the needs of the audience.
  Operational Effectiveness:
• DECISION MAKING – Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to 
  identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems.
• QUALITY RESULTS - Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to achieving goals in a manner 
  that provides quality experiences.

Personal Growth:

• SELF DEVELOPMENT - Is dedicated to the improvement of own capabilities and demonstrates this 
  through the continual expansion of knowledge and skills.
• EMOTIONAL MATURITY - Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills.
• FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a 
  high level of accomplishment.

Qualifications:

• Current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard and corresponding CPR for the Professional Rescuer, 
  A.E.D and Basic First Aid certifications.
• Redwoods training as assigned by the Aquatics Director (within 1 month of hire)
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of employees and members.
• Effective interpersonal skills, with a customer service focus.
• Ability to work independently as well as within teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to details.
• Extremely reliable, dependable, and punctual.
• Good decision-making skills.
• Ability to take initiative and be self-motivated.
• Ability to use a computer for email, Internet, and any Y related software relevant to the 
  position.
• Must be willing to work all open pool hours, including holidays and weekends.
• Must be at least 15 years of age.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and ability to travel locally.

Physical Demands:

1. Physical
   Strength: Must have the ability to frequently move, lift, pull and push objects such as, boxes, 
   supplies, pool equipment, and computers up to 50 lbs.
   Manual Dexterity: Must have the ability to operate equipment listed below and frequently perform 
   simple manipulative tasks including typing, writing, and filing. Coordination: Must be able to 
   continuously perform tasks requiring hand-eye coordination such as filing, opening/date 
   stamping/posting of mail and stocking supplies.
   Mobility: Required to frequently sit for prolonged periods. Must be able to occasionally walk, 
   stand, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, bend to floor, reach with hands/arms, climb stairs, and remain 
   in uncomfortable positions at times for prolonged periods.
   Speech: Must be able to continuously articulate and communicate clearly and precisely when 
   interacting with staff, professionals, vendors, and clients.
   Emotional Stability: Must be able to continuously deal effectively with stress created by busy 
   phones, multiple tasks, noises, interruptions, and multiple priorities and work cooperatively as 
   part of the administrative team while maintaining a pleasant, professional demeanor.
   Job Specific Attributes: Must be able to demonstrate competency in all skills and activities 
   required to obtain, maintain, and renew lifeguard, CPR, AED and first aid certifications through 
   the American Red Cross or Y of the USA.
2. Sensory
   Vision: Must be able to continuously read small print and adjust focus.
   Hearing: Must be able to continuously hear normal sounds and voice patterns, receive verbal 
   instructions, answer a phone and communicate with others with some background noise.
3. Cognitive
   Concentration: Must be able to continuously concentrate on moderate details with frequent 
   interruption.
   Attention Span: Must be able to frequently attend to tasks for up to 45 minutes at a time.
   Conceptualization: Must be able to frequently understand and relate to ideas, generally several at 
   a time, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
   Memory: Must be able to frequently remember verbal and written tasks.