Lifeguard

Keep our members and guests safe in a fun, values-based environment at the Y. As a Lifeguard, you will be responsible for the safety and well-being of participants in aquatics activities in and around the pool and whirlpool. Keep the environment clear of hazards and clean for all to enjoy. You will welcome members by creating an inclusive atmosphere and be rescue ready to respond in any situation.

• Guarantee the safety and well-being of aquatics participants through preventative lifeguarding, by being alert and aware of potential danger areas. Follow established positions for correct pool guarding; place yourself in your designated zone.
  
• Enforce prescribed safety procedures and rules of good behavior and courtesy.
  
• Maintain a professional appearance. Greet all pool participants in a friendly manner.
  
• Maintain a rescue ready position by wearing a rescue tube, a YMCA lifeguard shirt, swimsuit, whistle and nametag.
  
• Be familiar with activities that regularly occur during your shift.
  
• Be vigilant in scanning techniques by avoiding activities that will take your eyes off the pool (socializing, reading, studying, sleeping, phone usage, etc.).
  
• Check chemical readings only when pool is empty or at shift change.
  
• Do not leave the deck unattended for any reason while on shift.
  
• Know and follow the center Emergency Action Plan.
  
• Assist first responders as needed in rescue situations.
  
• Keep pool area neat and free of clutter.
  
• Follow pool opening and closing checklists provided at each center.
  
• Maintain required paperwork including chemical readings, accident reports, and patron usage forms.
  
• Actively participate in required staff trainings and meetings. Maintain required certifications.
  
• Act according to facility protocol to ensure safety of all staff and children which includes:
  

+ Adhere to policies related to boundaries with staff and children.

+ Attend required abuse risk management training.

+ Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.

+ Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

• Current YMCA Lifeguarding, Red Cross Lifeguard Training, or Boy Scouts of America Lifeguarding required.
  
• Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid required.
  
• Must be knowledgeable about all of the pool rules and regulations as stated in the Lifeguard Manual.
  
• Must be at least 15 years old.
  

Ongoing evaluation of physical demands of the position will happen monthly. Must be able to swim 300 yards (using front crawl and breast stroke), tread water for 2 minutes, demonstrate rescue skills, retrieve the brick from the bottom of the deep pool (exception for East side center only). Must be able to lift 50 pounds in order to help pull a person on a backboard out of the water.

• Building Relationships: Create sustainable relationships within the Y. Assist members in becoming more connected to the Y and build small communities while ensuring the safety of patrons by effectively scanning the pool.
  
• Emotional Maturity: How we understand and conduct ourselves impacts our relationships. Demonstrate ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
  
• Advancing Our Mission and Cause: As a member of a cause driven organization you will support the Y, its members, participants, and staff by living the Y�s values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in all interactions and aspects of job performance and demonstrate the desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.
  
• Safety: Utilize Lifeguard training to assertively lead other staff in emergency situations according to the Emergency Action Plan. Adhere to an enforce safety policies and procedures.
  
• Critical Thinking and Decision Making: You are empowered to make informed decisions within the scope of delivering exceptional customer service. Make these decisions based on logic, experience, and sound judgement while maintaining participant safety.
  
• Communication and Influence: Listen and express self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires and builds commitment to the Y�s cause and ensures understanding of pool rules in a respectful manner.
  
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes and active role in promoting practices that support diversity and inclusion.
  

This job description represents the major functions of the job but is not intended to be all inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for performing other duties as necessary for Association success.