What are the responsibilities and job description for the WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR position at Town of Fairfield?
Job Summary: This class is accountable for teaching people how to be safe in, on and or around water and
to teach people of all ages and varying abilities how to swim. Instructors will lead group swim lessons (infant through adult) at Jennings Beach and Lake Mohegan.
Supervision Received: Receives administrative direction from the Recreation/Aquatic Coordinator, Assistant Waterfront Director or his/her designee.
Supervision Exercised: May supervise or lead lower-level staff as assigned.
Examples of Essential Duties:
- Plans and organizes personal class teaching outlines, methods and goals that support the general
teaching outlines provided by the American Red Cross Learn to Swim standards.
- Monitors class participant’s performance, providing positive reinforcement and corrective feedback.
- Maintains proper surveillance/supervision of class participants at all times during scheduled lesson.
- Organizes and directs activities of assigned students in order to provide a high level of quality
instruction for all students.
- Prepares structured lesson plans and maintains accurate attendance and skill records.
- Observes, enforces and explains water safety standards, drowning prevention and operational rules for all individuals.
- Establishes positive public relations with parents/guardians of class participants helping them recognize and understand swimming developments and achievements.
- Maintains accurate records of attendance and completion of courses.
- Helps organize and assists in the development of special programs, activities or instruction.
- Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings, training programs and in-service training as required.
- Evaluates conditions for safety and initiates aquatics emergency action plan as required.
- Acts in emergencies to rescue and render appropriate first aid procedures in the event of injury, rescues swimmers in distress or danger of drowning, and administers CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary.
- Advises supervisory staff on significant matters and supports the achievement of program goals.
- Performs all related tasks as required or as directed.
This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The Town of Fairfield reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Outstanding aquatics skills and proficiency
- Ability to work well with the public.
- Possess the physical ability to perform Water Safety Instruction skills as they are defined by the American Red Cross Lifeguard WSI program and be prepared to maintain these skills throughout the summer.
- Maintains knowledge of current teaching methods and swimming techniques.
- Ability to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that encourages skill development and water safety awareness.
- Ability to adapt teaching approach to match the experience and abilities of the participants.
- Ability to render immediate rescue, first-aid and CPR in case of injury or breathing emergency.
- Ability to follow procedures and enforce regulations.
- Ability to remain calm in emergency situations, communicating quickly and effectively to assist in providing emergency response.
- Ability to optimize swim skills so that participants can achieve success at regular intervals.
- Knowledge of how to use course materials and training equipment safely and effectively.
- Ability to effectively teach and evaluate swimmers of all ages and abilities according to Red Cross standards.
- Ability to enforce Fairfield Parks & Recreation aquatics policies while providing a high level of customer service to participants.
- Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to remain professional, patient, and adaptable in varying conditions.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum 16 years of age at time of employment.
- Must hold the following American Red Cross Certifications:
- Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid
- Waterfront Skills Only valid when accompanied by a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) certificateCompletion of Water Safety Instructor Course (or certification similar to WSI)
- Must hold the following American Red Cross Certifications:
- Prior experience teaching swim lessons preferred but not required.
Temporary or Seasonal Position is Not Eligible for Town of Fairfield benefits. The Temporary employee will not be used to displace, eliminate, or cause the termination or layoff of any Bargaining Unit employee. The temporary employees will not be hired to replace or supplant a full-time bargaining unit position.
Working Conditions, Physical and Mental Requirements: Employees appointed to positions in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class. A physical examination may be required.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the work the employee performs is primarily in outside environmental conditions in extreme heat, constant sun, wind, blowing sand conditions, and rain. Employee is subject to noise which requires shouting in order to be heard above the sound of surf and crowd conditions. The employee is exposed to wet and /or humid conditions. The work is performed in a beach environment and involves prolonged exposure to salt sir, wind, extreme sun, and inclement weather. Work also involves exposure to potentially stressful situations.
THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Town of Fairfield to ensure equal employment opportunity for all employees and to prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender; gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or physical and mental disability.