Aquatics - Lifeguard

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington seeks a lifeguard to ensure swimmer safety, respond to emergencies, and maintain a clean, hazard-free aquatics area. The role requires punctuality, proper certification, and strong communication.

You will enforce rules, assist with emergency procedures, and serve as an aquatics ambassador to enhance the member experience. The position includes working with program participants and upholding YMCA safety standards.

Qualifications

• Must be 16 years of age.
• Current lifeguard certification is required.
• Adult, child, and infant CPR is required.
• Blood Borne Pathogens training is required.
• Emergency Procedures knowledge is required.
• Backboard Training is required.
• Facility Orientation/Aquatic Policy knowledge is required.
• YMCA Lifeguard Certification or crossover is required within the first year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Reports to work on time, in uniform, and ready to work when the shift starts.
• Ensures that all appropriate equipment is available.
• Checks area for hazardous conditions at the beginning of shift.
• Knows and practices proper emergency procedures.
• Enforces the rules and explains the reasons behind them; reports persistent problems to the supervisor.
• Keeps members/participants from congregating where safety could be an issue; discourages recklessness or rough play.
• Makes neat and clear entries in required logs.
• Outdoor pools – clears all swimmers during electrical storms.
• Other duties as required.
• Welcomes program participants within their first two weeks of class.
• Acts as an aquatics ambassador to enhance the member experience.
• Greets each member with a warm smile.
• Enforces aquatics rules with respect and care.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Operational

Personal Growth

Teamwork

Functional Expertise

Education

Current lifeguard certification

Adult/Child/Infant CPR

Blood Borne Pathogens

Emergency Procedures

Backboard Training

Facility Orientation/Aquatic Policy

YMCA certification within first year

Job description

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibility:

• Protects the safety of all swimmers by preventing accidents and by responding to an emergency quickly and efficiently to minimize the danger to those involved

Supervisory Responsibility:

X No Supervisory responsibility

Provides guidance, leadership, or training to other employees (no direct supervision)

Directly responsible for supervising non-exempt, clerical, or office administration personnel

Directly responsible for supervising exempt, professional, or technical employees

Directly responsible for supervising supervisory/managerial employees

Organizational Structure:

Job title to which this position reports: Aquatic Director or Assistant Aquatic Director or Aquatic C coordinator

Job titles directly reporting to this position: None

Job titles indirectly reporting to this position: None

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reports to work on time, in uniform, and is ready to work when the shift starts


• Ensures that all appropriate equipment is available


• Checks area for hazardous conditions at the beginning of shift

• Knows and practices the proper emergency procedures


• Enforces the rules; explaining the reasons behind the rules, as well as the danger infractions present. Reports persistent problems to the supervisor


• Keeps members/participants from congregating on walk areas that may present safety issues; not tolerating recklessness or rough play


• Makes neat and clear entries in required logs


• Outdoor pools – clears all swimmers during electrical storms

• Other duties as required

Customer Service Standards:

Staff Engagement:

• Performs secondary duties and provide information to deepen the member’s knowledge of the Y and program offerings

• Greets each member with a warm smile


• Enforces aquatics rules with respect and care


• Offers aquatics knowledge to enhance member experience

Facility Excellence:

• Is prepared and attentive to my surroundings

• Ensures that the aquatics area an all equipment are clean and in proper working condition

Show:

• Welcomes all program participants within their first two weeks of class


• Is an “aquatics ambassador” that enhances the member experience

Required Competencies:

Mission Advancement

• Values - Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values.


• Community - Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.

Collaboration

• Inclusion - Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.


• Relationships - Builds rapport and relates well to others.


• Communication - Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively.

Operational Effectiveness

• Decision Making - Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another.


• Quality Results - Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth

• Self Development - Pursues self-development that enhances job performance.


• Emotional Maturity - Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships

• Functional Expertise - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Education, Certification, Skills, and Experience:

• Must be 16 years of age


• Blood Borne Pathogens

• Right to Know


• Facility Orientation/Aquatic Policy


• Emergency Procedures


• Preventing Child Abuse


• Backboard Training

• Adult, child, and infant CPR


• Current lifeguard certification


• Must obtain YMCA certification within the first year of employment

Jr. Lifeguards may be hired in jurisdictions that allow it. These positions will be graded with regular lifeguards, but paid slightly lower wages. A Jr. Lifeguards may not guard alone. As soon as s/he reaches 16 years of age, must take YMCA Lifeguard Crossover

YMCA Leadership Certification:

Position requires ongoing progress towards Leader Certification

Working Conditions:

• Must have the physical ability to meet all prerequisites for YMCA Lifeguarding

• Must be able to lift and move around objects of 40 pounds or more


• Swim 500 yards


• Tread water for two minutes. (Legs only)


• Retrieve training victim from bottom deep end


• Active victim rescue with tube

• Passive victim rescue with tube


• Backboard victim


• Ability to see and hear participants in distress or asking for assistance