Lifeguard

About the Role

Maintains safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas. Creates a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and promotes safety in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Builds positive relationships with members and program participants through effective listening and verbal skills and creatively finds ways to connect them to one another and the Y community.

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined.

Responsibilities

• Enforce pool rules, regulations, and follow protocols set out in the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA Aquatic Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Provide consistent surveillance of the pool area using the 10:20 rule of scanning.
• Prevent non-swimmers from entering deep water or moving into a high-risk area.
• Communicate effectively with others immediately when responding to an emergency.
• Maintain the 1:25 ratio of guard to patron policy.
• Wear proper uniform including YMCA T-shirt, shorts, swimsuit, rescue tube, whistle, and breathing mask.
• Know and review all emergency procedures and respond to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
• Complete related incident reports as required.
• Maintain effective, positive relationships with members, participants, and other staff.
• Positively communicate information to members on other YMCA programs.
• Know, understand, and consistently apply safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area.
• Attend all staff meetings and training as required.
• Maintain accurate records as required by the YMCA.
• Perform equipment checks and ensure appropriate equipment is available as needed.
• Complete the Pool Opening and Closing Checklist whenever on duty.
• Perform chemical testing at appropriate times of the day, as required, and take appropriate action.
• Maintain cleanliness of the facility including pool, grounds, equipment/guard room, concessions, and bathrooms.
• Arrive to work at least 15 minutes before scheduled shift. If unable to work scheduled shift, find a sub and notify Aquatics Director in advance.
• Routinely check pool and rescue equipment and promptly report any problems.
• Set up and store equipment for recreational swim, group classes, or pool parties.
• Create a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes member safety and professional, alert, courteous, and always tactful behavior.
• Perform other duties as required.

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 diverse 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.

Requirements

• Minimum age of 15.
• Certifications: Current Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Certification.
• Child abuse prevention training within 30 days of hire date.
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.
• Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA standards.
• YMCA Leader Certification within 6 months of hire date.

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.

• Physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
• See and observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility.