Senior Instructor Guard

Summary

DEFINITION

Under direction, plans and participates in the programs and activities of an aquatic facility, including teaching swim lessons and classes; trains staff on proper pool safety procedures; monitors activities in the pool and City aquatic facilities in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons; explains and enforces swimming programs and pool policies, regulations, and rules; performs rescues and administers first aid as necessary; assists in the selection of personnel; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff; trains staff on proper pool safety procedures.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This advanced journey-level classification is responsible for training assigned staff and for ensuring that the City's pool facilities are maintained in a safe and effective working condition to provide the highest level of safety for public use. Positions in this classification rely on experience and judgment to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of lifeguard operations in the pool area. Assignments are given with general guidelines, and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. The Senior Instructor Guard classification is distinguished from the Instructor Guard classification by the assignment of training duties and responsibility for the proper use of the facility.

Essential Functions / Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans and participates in the work of staff responsible for performing lifeguard duties at the City's aquatic facilities; trains staff in the proper pool safety procedures; assists in the staff selection process.
• Receives and responds to questions, concerns, and complaints from patrons; determines issues and resolves, or refers to supervisor as appropriate; listens and responds to patrons' need for assistance or information on aquatic programs.
• Reviews and advises on schedules for pool use, such as timeframes for instructional and recreational swimming; oversees swim meets and pool rentals.
• Assists in planning, scheduling and developing aquatic programs; prepares marketing and publicity materials; works to secure maximum participation in programs.
• Reviews daily patron counts and collects fees from the cashier staff.
• Participates in training sessions, including safety drills and other emergency procedures; ensures that lifeguard staff attend required trainings and maintains records on same.
• Provides aquatic safety and supervision for patrons; monitors activities in the pool and City aquatic facilities to avoid and prevent accidents, and to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons; promotes public safety at an aquatic facility at all times.
• Implements and monitors City policies and procedures; enforces aquatics regulations; cautions swimmers regarding unsafe swimming.
• Performs rescue of swimmers in distress; administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid; calls emergency services such as police, fire, or ambulance if necessary.
• Monitors facility use; ensures that the pool, restrooms and locker rooms are maintained in a safe, neat, and clean condition.
• Inspects and maintains swimming and pool equipment for functionality; ensures that maintenance and repair needs are addressed.
• Performs inspections of water; prepares reports on water condition and accidents.
• Maintains logs and records of activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of training staff on aquatics safety rules and regulations.
• Organization and operation of the aquatics facility, including maintenance and safety requirements.
• Swimming pool and guest safety and emergency procedures.
• Methods and techniques of assessing students' swimming capabilities.
• Life-guarding skills and methods.
• Emergency care and assessment; CPR, AED, and first aid practices.
• City rules and regulations with respect to pool and patron safety methods.
• Operational characteristics of water rescue safety equipment and devices.
• Methods and techniques of developing marketing materials for aquatics programs.
• Principles and practices of recordkeeping.
• Basic maintenance and cleaning practices.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
  
  

Ability To

• Plan and coordinate the work of lifeguard staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Plan optimal lifeguard program coverage to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.
• Coordinate and schedule swim meets and pool rentals.
• Modify and conduct swimming lessons based on students' age and skill set.
• Assist in developing and marketing aquatics programs.
• Work with children and adults in a recreational setting.
• Attentively observe and monitor the safety of swimmers and other guests using aquatic center facilities.
• Exercise professional judgment to act effectively in emergency situations
• Ensure that staff attend and participate in required trainings and safety procedures.
• Interpret and implement aquatic center policies and practices.
• Maintain discipline, order, and safety in a crowded and noisy environment.
• Maintain facilities and equipment in a clean, safe, and secure manner.
• Perform work in an efficient, effective, safe, and timely manner.
• Provide courteous assistance to facility patrons.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on priorities.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and two (2) years of lifeguard and instructor guard experience in an aquatics facility.

Licenses And Certifications

• Possession of a valid American Red Cross/Lifeguard Training certificate, or equivalent.
• Must be certified in First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) within one (1) year of employment.
• Possession of American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Professional Rescuer certificate.
• Possession of a Water Safety Instructor Certification
  
  

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed within a public swimming pool environment where stamina is needed to perform moderate to heavy lifting of pool equipment and furniture, or children or adults who may require removal from the pool, and to stay in the pool for prolonged periods of time. Must possess the mobility to stand, stoop, kneel, reach, bend, climb, push and pull materials and equipment, and swim, while wearing an appropriate uniform with protective equipment. Vision and hearing which must be sufficient to see and hear adults and children in crowded and noisy conditions situations. Must also possess the mobility to work in an office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or by using a telephone and radio in. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or to operate safety equipment. Must possess the ability to swim distances, and dive to pool depths, as determined by testing/certification authorities, and to lift 100 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work outdoors in a pool environment with wet and slippery conditions and are exposed to variable weather conditions; may be exposed to chlorine, acids, and other chemicals at aquatics facilities, as well as blood and body fluids while rendering first aid and CPR. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

E-Verify: The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.

Incumbents in hourly positions are ineligible for health, dental, vision, and other benefits.