2026 Spring/Summer Lifeguard

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Lifeguard at the FOOTHILLS AREA YMCA creates a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals while promoting and maintaining safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Models the core values of Caring, Honest, Respect, and Responsibility; implements character development and the YMCA core values in all programs and all aspects of center operations.
• Submits a minimum of 10 hours of availability per week
• Continuously scans the entire pool within 10-20 seconds, and ensures safe conditions. Lifeguards should not do secondary duties while responsible for scanning.
• Enforces all posted rules and all rules that are required to ensure the safety of all participants.
• Maintains a high level of alertness at all times.
• Completes 2 hours of in-service training every month.
• Participates in ongoing training held during operational hours ( manikin drops, live drills, pool safety checks, CPR checks).
• Wears a whistle, hip pack with resuscitation mask, and YMCA Lifeguard shirt at all times while on duty, wears a rescue tube and Walkie-Talkie while on surveillance duty.
• Ensures that the pool deck is free of hazards and clutter and performs all duties assigned by the Aquatics Director, including routine maintenance and cleaning.
• Tests pool chemical levels and corrects changes or reports changes to a supervisor immediately.
• Fills out all Y accident and incident reports thoroughly and turns them in to the Aquatics Director.
• Maintains and enforces the pool schedule and encourages members to share pool space.
• Notifies appropriate staff of any unsafe conditions, needed repairs, complaints, accidents, or injuries immediately.
• Participates in special events within the Aquatics Department as well as events facility-wide.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

• Influence: Employs influence strategies that engage, inspire, and build commitment to position and overall Y goals
• Communication: Listens and expresses ideas effectively and in a manner that reflects a true understanding of the needs of the audience
• Decision Making: Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to identify the greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills

• 16 years of age
• Certifications: Current American Red Cross Lifeguard or equivalent, Professional rescuer CPR/AED, First Aid, and Emergency Medical Oxygen administration.
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness
• Must be able to demonstrate the following lifeguard skills:
• Swim 150 yards continuously using either front crawl or breaststroke, tread water for 2 minutes without using hands, swim another 50 yards using either front crawl or breaststroke.
• American Red Cross Brick Test
  • A ten pound brick will be placed under the flags in the deepest part of Cottingham Campus’ lap pool
  • The applicant must swim down from the shallow end, retrieve the brick, and swim back with the brick out of the water. Once back to the shallow end, they must climb out without the use of the ladder.
  • Must be completed in under 1 minute and 40 seconds
  • Goggles may not be worn
• Able to relate and work with diverse groups of people in a friendly and consistent manner.
• Child Abuse Prevention and Bloodborne Pathogens training within 30 days of hire

• Maintain CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
• Maintain Lifeguard Certification
• Maintain First Aid and Emergency Medical Oxygen Administration
• Bloodborne Pathogens/Child Abuse Prevention every year

• 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.