What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lifeguard (Part-Time) - Greater Portland YMCA position at YMCA of Southern Maine?
Overview:
Under the direction of the Aquatics Director, the Lifeguard is charged with effectively and safely supervising the pool environment to prevent drowning and injuries by providing safety instructions, recognizing and responding to emergencies, and rendering CPR and first aid in accordance with the policies established by the YMCA of Southern Maine at our Greater Portland YMCA. These policies must be followed within the National YMCA guidelines.
This is an evergreen role, meaning we are always accepting applications for this position due to ongoing hiring needs.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions
The Y is filled with passionate leaders, thinkers and doers. Whether a camp counselor, program director or fitness instructor, we all share a common goal to serve and make our community healthier, happier and stronger. We look for people who will show up as their whole self because we value diversity and inclusion, as well as people who enjoy working on a team and with the public. If you can see yourself at the Y, please read on!
Under the direction of the Aquatics Director, the Lifeguard is charged with effectively and safely supervising the pool environment to prevent drowning and injuries by providing safety instructions, recognizing and responding to emergencies, and rendering CPR and first aid in accordance with the policies established by the YMCA of Southern Maine at our Greater Portland YMCA. These policies must be followed within the National YMCA guidelines.
This is an evergreen role, meaning we are always accepting applications for this position due to ongoing hiring needs.
Safety: Consistently monitors working areas of responsibility for any violations of the code of conduct or inappropriate behaviors that do not compliment the professional and welcoming environment the YMCA of Southern Maine strives to maintain. Provides rapid and timely response to all accidents, situations, incidents and emergencies appropriately, calmly and professionally using proper techniques and completes incident reports as needed.
Cleanliness: Maintains a professional and clean environment at the desk or work area, with equipment and in the surrounding work areas.
Meetings: Attends required meetings including, but not limited to monthly staff meetings and required in services and training hours as determined by supervisor.
Punctuality/Coverage: Meets the association standard for attendance, punctuality and dependability; keeping in confidence matters related to office or personnel; and, exercises good judgment around areas of responsibility. Responsible for finding coverage if unable to work a shift and notifying a supervisor via phone call.
Brand: Wear proper YMCA attire or identification while on shift. Adheres to all Y Brand guidelines and receives prior approval for use and creation of any marketing and promotion materials from the Advancement department.
Essential Functions
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Maintains rescue readiness at all times. Is in uniform holding a rescue tube with its strap across chest, wearing sun protection and sunglasses (if outside), and carrying a whistle, a pocket mask and gloves. Practices skills frequently to ensure readiness and confidence to render effective aid when necessary.
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Always positions to protect entire assigned zone of responsibility. Positions in an elevated chair or platform, or stands or patrols at the edge of the pool so that all parts of the assigned zone, including the bottom of the pool are visible. Moves to change position when any area of assigned zone is not visible due to glare or obstruction. Performs a thorough check of assigned zone before taking position and after being relieved to make sure the bottom of the pool is clear.
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Is singularly focused and is never distracted by personal or secondary activities. This includes texting, talking on a cell phone, reading, eating, conversing unnecessarily, moving lane lines, conducting water quality checks or cleaning up the deck while on scanning duty. Does not bring any personal items other than water and sun protection (when necessary) while on active duty.
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Aggressively scans entire area of responsibility. Is constantly vigilant to all patrons and to all activity on and below the water’s surface, on the pool bottom and on the pool deck.
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Constantly enforces non-swimmer protection & other safety rules. Identifies children marked as non-swimmers or children who have not yet been marked and makes sure that all are in shallow water and are protected. Takes immediate corrective action when swimmers, even experienced swimmers, break rules or engage in risky behavior. If warnings are not heeded, notifies manager or other senior member of staff immediately.
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Clears the pool if the pool is unsafe. If for any reason, the above five core functions cannot be fulfilled or if the pool is otherwise unsafe, the lifeguard is expected to blow his or her whistle and clear the pool until the problem can be corrected.
Performs “off scan” duties as assigned, following guidelines set forth by manager. Example of “off scan” duties include but are not limited to, performs water chemistry tests as required, correctly documents and takes appropriate action based on test results.
- Is an advocate to the Y by promoting our cause. Assists with the annual campaign by increasing awareness about the campaign within the Y community.
Adheres to all Y Brand guidelines and receives prior approval for use and creation of any Y related social media from the Marketing department.
Other duties as required.
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard and corresponding CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED and Basic First Aid certifications.
- Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of employees and members.
- Effective interpersonal skills, with a customer service focus.
- Ability to work independently as well as within teams.
- Excellent organizational skills with attention to details.
- Extremely reliable, dependable, and punctual.
- Good decision making skills.
- Ability to take initiative and be self-motivated.
- Ability to use a computer for email, Internet and any Y related software relevant to the position.
- A clean record as determined through criminal background check and fingerprinting through the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Physical Demands:
Physical
- Strength: Physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard. Perform all skills required for Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED certifications. Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time.
- Manual Dexterity: Ability to lift a person off the bottom and out of the water.
- Mobility: While performing duties of this job, employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to handle, or feel; reach with arms and hands. Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch. Comfortable in the water.
- Speech: Employee must be able to talk, taste, smell and see (both near and far). Must be able to continuously articulate and communicate clearly and precisely when interacting with staff and members.
- Job Specific Attributes: Must be able to demonstrate competency in all skills and activities required to obtain, maintain and renew lifeguard, CPR, AED and first aid certifications through the American Red Cross or Y of the USA.
Sensory
- Vision: See and observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility.
- Hearing: Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
Cognitive
- Concentration: Must be able to continuously concentrate on activities in the area of responsibility.
- Attention Span: Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
- Conceptualization: Must be able to frequently understand and relate to ideas, generally several at a time, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
- Memory: Must be able to frequently remember verbal and written tasks