Lifeguard I

GENERAL PURPOSE: Responsible for overall safety and health of guests in aquatic area. All team members are expected to adhere to the organizational values of ACTION! (Accountability, Change, Teamwork, Integrity, Opportunity, Now!) and are responsible for contributing to the achievements of the organization and department. Team members are expected to continue to grow professionally and to apply learning in their job setting.

Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting. 
 

CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!: 

• Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community 
• Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. 
• Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals. 
• Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization. 
• Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City. 
• NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Proactively scan pools for guests in distress and respond quickly and appropriately to all emergencies; provide applicable first aid and/or resuscitation as necessary.
• Prevent aquatic emergencies through public education, rule enforcement, and quick response.
• Enforce all City policies, pool rules, and regulations.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Handle customer concerns in a friendly and professional manner and report any customer and/or staff issues to the Manager on Duty (MOD).
• Clean and maintain pool, conduct routine safety checks of equipment and staff, ensure timely and accurate completion of all assigned paperwork.
• Assist MODs and Head Lifeguards in completion of patron counts, chemical tests, daily slide inspections, and daily operational checklists.
• If assigned, assist with rescue audits to assess Lifeguard staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Age

• Lifeguard I candidates must be at least 15 years of age.

Knowledge

• Lifeguard skills, CPR, first aid, Lifeguard philosophies, policies and procedures and teaching methods and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of departmental rules and regulations paired with considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, teaching methods and techniques that provide positive motivation in recreational environment.
• Working knowledge of rules, strategies, and skills and organizational procedures associated with working with within a professional setting and aquatics department.

Skills

• Public relations skills.
• Demonstrated skill in the operation of equipment necessary to perform the functions of the job.

Abilities

• Prevent accidents, remain calm in emergency situations, analyze and correct facility safety hazards; learn and adhere to the facility emergency procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Addresses issues and concerns with guests in a tactful and productive manner.
• Ability to perform rescue skills and work in conditions described and work with a high level of autonomy.

Training

• Certified StarGuard ELITE Lifeguard or equivalent.
• Selected candidates will be provided StarGuard ELITE Lifeguard Training at no cost.
• Employment as a Lifeguard does not begin until a candidate has successfully completed StarGuard ELITE Lifeguard Training.

HOURS OF WORK, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is part-time, and hours will vary according to scheduling needs. Work primarily performed in hot, wet, and humid environment with chemical smell. During Summer months, work may be at an outdoor facility and will include exposure to all types of weather. Work requires strength and stamina necessary to rescue distressed swimmers. Work requires extended periods of hearing and speaking; requires working in chemically treated water. Work requires public relations skills in handling parental concerns and complaints. The work also entails working closely with co-workers and cooperating in utilizing the various areas of the pool. Must be able to work in environment with poor acoustics, array of distractions, i.e., music, weather conditions. Work involves climbing, frequent sitting, intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping, standing or walking; requires ability to lift frequently object of less than 25lbs and occasionally weighing up to and over 50 lbs. Work requires considerable muscular exertion and/or physical strain, as well as continuous intense mental concentration and visual attention. This position will use equipment available and necessary to adhere to the Lifeguard policies and procedures, including water rescue and safety equipment, whistle, two-way radio; pool, pump, filter, cleaning and testing equipment, pool vacuum and chemical handling equipment.

It is the policy of the City of Wheat Ridge not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or municipal law unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

Salary : $19 - $23