Aquatic Lifeguard (RNB)

City of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Paid sick leave

Flexible schedule

Job summary

The City of Bellingham is seeking lifeguards for its year‑round facility and summer beaches. You will provide customer service, lifeguarding, lifesaving measures, first aid and custodial duties at aquatic facilities.

Starting at $19.89/hour with step increases to $25.94/hour; full range provided. Flexible schedule and benefits like EAP and paid sick leave are offered in accordance with policy.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Pass a criminal convictions check and child/vulnerable adult abuse records check.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Pre-employment drug test required; safety sensitive position.

Responsibilities

• Perform lifeguarding, lifesaving, first aid and CPR as needed.
• Ensure facility areas are safe and only accessible to authorized users.
• Clean and sanitize locker rooms, beaches and natatorium; conduct chemical tests.
• Attend in-service trainings and assist with trainings as needed.
• Complete paperwork related to lifeguarding and other duties.

Skills

Lifeguarding

First Aid

CPR/AED

Customer Service

Tools

American Red Cross certifications

Job description

The City of Bellingham is continuously recruiting for qualified lifeguards at our year-round facility and summer beaches. This recruitment may be closed at any time. This position is responsible for public interaction with aquatic patrons and students; provides customer service, lifeguarding, lifesaving measures, first aid and general aquatic facility custodial services.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for public interaction with aquatic patrons and students; provides customer service, lifeguarding, lifesaving measures, first aid and general aquatic facility custodial services.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This position will start at Step 1 ($19.89/hour). Employees receive step increases on completion of 2080 hours in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $19.89 - $25.94.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer the following benefits that help you thrive in both your career and personal life.

• Work up to 69 hours per calendar month and flex up to full time for up to four months each calendar year.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 1 hour of Washington State paid sick leave accrued for every 40 hours worked.

This position is not eligible for benefits except as required by law.

This position becomes represented by the Local 1937 bargaining unit after the completion of 1040 hours working an average of at least 12 hours per week, on an annual basis. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Lifeguards facilities, program and patrons, identifying potential safety concerns and preventing accidents. Provides lifesaving measures including first aid, and CPR when necessary.
2. Ensures that all areas of the facilities are limited to authorized users. Recognizes and acts immediately to address inappropriate and unsafe behavior. Responds to safety or security situations and contacts appropriate staff, law enforcement, or other emergency personnel as appropriate.
3. Cleans locker rooms, staff areas, beaches, and natatorium. Conducts chemical tests and sanitizes facilities after contamination incidents.
4. Attends monthly in-service trainings and may assist with those trainings as needed.
5. Completes all paperwork related to lifeguarding and other assigned duties.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED

1. Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.
2. May assist in providing high-quality swim lessons, American Red Cross training courses and aerobic classes to all levels and age groups.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed year-round in a humid indoor Aquatics Center and outdoors during the summer months at City-owned beaches. Employees often walk on wet or slick surfaces around pool area and waterfront areas. Frequently interacts with the public in the field, which may include exposure to hostile, offensive language, or interactions with angry or volatile individuals. Frequent exposure to pool chemicals and cleaning agents. Occasional exposure to hazardous materials such as blood. General safety precautions are taken into consideration for the majority of these hazards. Exposed to outside weather conditions.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

• Meet standards required for American Red Cross Pre-test for Lifeguarding and Waterfront certifications
• Meet department standards required for Aquatics Practice Assessments
• Frequently remain stationary for long periods of time; ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time, ability to kneel, crouch, or bend at the waist to conduct tests or lift patrons.
• Frequently lift and move heavy objects up to 50 lbs., and occasionally transport weights of up to approximately 100lbs.
• Hear, communicate, and see sufficiently to receive and provide instructions in a noisy fast-paced environment while meeting mandated safety standards.
• Operate pool maintenance equipment of varying weight, lengths, and width and aid distressed swimmers of varying sizes.
• Occasionally travel between indoor and outdoor locations; ability to be exposed to outdoor weather conditions for extended periods of time.

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with members of the public of all ages and abilities.
• Customer Service experience preferred.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check. (See Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Must pass a pre-employment swimming skills test, including but not limited to:
  • American Red Cross Pre-test for Lifeguarding and Waterfront Certifications
• Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired.)
• Ability to secure within two months of hire and maintain the following American Red Cross certifications throughout duration of employment:
  • Lifeguarding
  • First Aid
  • CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuers
  • Administering Emergency Oxygen
  • Bloodborne Pathogens Training
• Failure to obtain and maintain required certifications within the specified timeline will result in dismissal.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends with a minimum availability of 1 shift per week.

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.