Lifeguard

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Aquatics Director and Aquatics Lead, the Lifeguard at the Minot Family YMCA creates a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals while promoting and maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintains active surveillance of the pool area.
2. Remains calm and objective when under pressure or when challenged by others.
3. Maintains accurate records as required by the YMCA and/or the state health department code.
4. Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
5. Checks the pool for hazardous conditions when arriving and throughout shift.
6. Performs chemical testing, as required, and takes appropriate action.
7. Greet and assist all members, potential members, volunteers, and staff in a courteous, professional, and friendly manner. Be enthusiastic towards members by learning their names and expressing an interest in their YMCA activities. Strive to enrich their YMCA experience by introducing them to new programs, staff, members, and volunteer activities.
8. Respond to members' needs. Contact appropriate personnel when necessary. Handle complaints in a courteous manner. Effectively negotiate and resolve customer service problems.
9. Assist in maintenance and laundry duties to include sweeping, mopping, and general cleanliness of Aquatics areas.
10. Maintain a working knowledge of the YMCA rules, policies, and emergency procedures and act as the control center for the Aquatics Area and Locker Rooms during emergency situations.
11. Shares aquatic program information with members, using available tools and resources (e.g., handouts, schedules).
12. Maintain working knowledge of wellness and aquatics trends to provide effective information and support to members.
13. Assist other staff as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be at least 15 years of age.
2. Certifications required within 30 days of hire: Lifeguard, CPR/AED and First Aid.
3. Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
4. Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.
5. Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA and ARC standards.
6. Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
7. This individual must familiarize themselves with YMCA rules and policies within 30 days of employment. Since this position is dealing directly with members, program participants, volunteers, and staff in a position of authority, above-average verbal communication skills are required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move at least 50 pounds or more in the event of a water rescue. 
• Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a water rescue and physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard.
• May frequently be exposed wet and/or humid environments.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Acute hearing skills are required. Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
• See and observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility.