Lifeguard (Fall 2025)

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. This position is at the Cottingham Campus in Seneca and/or the Walhalla Pool.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Brick retrieval within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

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, Tread, Swim;

• Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards.
• After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading.
• After maintaining position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards.
• While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control.
• You may use the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.
• Swim goggles are allowed.
• Goggles are not allowed for the timed event.
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water.
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
• 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
  
  

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Maintain CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
• Maintain Lifeguard Certification every 2 years
• Maintain First Aid and Emergency Medical Oxygen Administration
• Bloodborne Pathogens/Child Abuse Prevention every year
  
  

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 15 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 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 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 greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills
  
  

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

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.