Head Lifeguard

Statement of Duties

Under the direction of the Pool Manager and/or Assistant Pool Manager, the Head Lifeguard in the Parks and Recreation Department provides supervision for Lifeguards, monitors activities at pool, and functions as a Lifeguard as needed. The Head Lifeguard may participate in scheduling and assigning Lifeguard duties. While on duty, gives instructions in pool operating procedures, rules, safety practices, maintenance, and related matters.

Essential Functions

• Closely monitors activities related to the pool area, identifying any safety issues throughout shift.
• Supervises swimming activities at the aquatics facility and ensures that policies, guidelines, and safety procedures are followed.
• Warns swimmers of improper activities or danger and enforces pool regulations and water safety policies. Ensures strict adherence to pool rules and water safety guidelines.
• Responds to emergencies and rescues swimmers in distress or in danger of drowning.
• Administers first aid in the event of injury and administers CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary.
• Inspects pool facilities, equipment, and water to ensure that they are safe and usable.
• Affords assistance to the Certified Pool Operator in testing pool chemicals to assist in maintaining water chemistry.
• Oversees Lifeguard staff and creates daily Lifeguard rotation schedules.
• Under the direction of the Pool Manager/Assistant Pool Manager conducts swimming lessons, as needed.
• Documents all accidents/incidents in proper form and reports to the Pool Manager and/or Assistant Pool Manager immediately.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

1-3 years of experience as a Lifeguard and interacting with people of various ages with diverse backgrounds; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Certifications

• First Aid/AED.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

• Knowledge: Knowledge of proper swimming techniques and water safety rules. Knowledge of CPR and water rescue methods and techniques.
• Ability: Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Ability to provide lifesaving rescue. Ability to work professionally with public members, volunteers and staff. Ability to oversee Lifeguard staff during shift and provide guidance. Ability to answer any enquiries from public.
• Skills: Highly skilled in the application of lifeguarding surveillance and rescue techniques. Excellent conflict resolution and communication skills. Multilingual skills in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, and/or Nepali is preferred but not required.

Work Environment

Covers work that requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain or standing or walking most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting heavy objects and carrying them. There may be a need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials. Usually, the work will require extended physical effort over a significant portion of the workday.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Physical Skills: Sitting, standing, walking, climbing/ladders, squatting/kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, twisting/bending, lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs. multiple times per shift, talking, hearing, and seeing.
• Motor Skills: Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; occasional use of hands and arms to reach with hands and arms; frequent use of legs to climb or balance; frequent use of knees to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Visual Skills: Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Hours

Part-Time/Seasonal

Salary

$22.00 - $32.00 hourly based on experience; no benefits

Union

Non-Union

Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Non-Exempt

Date Posted

March 13, 2024

City of Somerville Overview of Total Rewards

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)