Aquatics Specialist - Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

City of Lompoc; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lompoc is seeking a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor to help maintain a safe pool environment and to lead instructional swim classes at the Lompoc Aquatic Center. The role requires delivering engaging instruction while enforcing aquatic safety rules and regulations.

You will monitor activity, perform emergency response procedures, conduct chemical testing, and assist in staff training. Evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are common, and dedication to public safety is essential.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Current and valid California Driver's License.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Basic Life Support (Professional Rescuer CPR/AED).
• First Aid and Title 22 First Aid for Public Safety Personnel.
• YMCA/ARC Lifeguard or equivalent certification.
• Swim instructor training or ARC/US YMCA water safety instructor certification, or eligibility within six months.
• Lifeguard Instructor certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain active surveillance of the pool area.
• Know and follow emergency procedures and respond immediately.
• Apply safety rules and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area.
• Maintain records and complete required reports.
• Perform equipment checks and ensure equipment is available.
• Check the pool for hazards on arrival and test chemicals as needed.
• Instruct swimming lessons per Aquatic Center guidelines and prepare lesson plans.
• Foster professionalism and positive relationships with participants and staff.
• Provide information on programs and refer participants to other center offerings.
• Maintain attendance and progress records.
• Prepare and store equipment for classes and report damaged items.
• Assist in scheduling part-time lifeguard, dispatcher, instructor, and pool clerk staff.
• Assist in training and development of staff; perform Head Lifeguard duties as needed.
• Participate in emergency responses with aquatic staff.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings; assist in in-service sessions.
• Help with cleaning duties around the pool and facilities.
• Maintain customer service standards in all interactions.
• Support Parks and Recreation events and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lifeguard supervision

Emergency response

Public safety communication

Staff training

Recordkeeping

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The City reserves the right to stop accepting applications prior to the posted deadline if sufficient numbers of qualified applications are received. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The recruitment is officially closed once it has been removed from the City's website.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: Under general supervision, to maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas; to organize and instruct swim classes; create a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes safety in accordance with the Lompoc Aquatic Center regulations, policies, and procedures; ensure the safety of facility patrons by preventing and responding to emergencies; provide direct leadership, instruction, and motivation for students in swim classes; and perform related work as required.

Incumbents work a flexible schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary. Incumbent receives direction from and is responsible to the assigned Recreation Supervisor for day-to-day operations.

EXAMINATION PROCESS: Based upon screening of the City application, résumé, and responses to supplemental questions, applicants whose qualifications best meet the requirements of the position will be invited to the examination process. This process may include but is not limited to, panel interview, which consists of an evaluation of some of the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, and job-related experience listed below. Those candidates who pass the examination process are placed on an eligibility list from which the final selection will be made.

SELECTION PROCESS: As authorized by City policy, applicants being considered for hire in this position are subject to fingerprinting for purposes of investigating criminal history background, as part of the employment screening process. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination (based upon job-related physical standards) by a City-designated physician.

Failure in any one part of the examination or selection processes will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

The following duties are typical of this position. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Maintains active surveillance of the poolarea.
2. Knows and reviews all emergency procedures and recognizes and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with facility regulations, policies,andprocedures;completes related reports asrequired.
3. Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the pool and aquaticarea.
4. Maintains accurate records and completes reports as required by the Aquatic Center and/or the state health departmentcode.
5. Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
6. Checks the pool for hazardous conditions whenarriving.
7. Performs chemical testing when not lifeguarding, as required, and takes appropriateaction.
8. Instructs swimming lessons in accordance with the Aquatic Center guidelines, having prepared lesson plans accordingly, and supports program participants in achieving their goals.
9. Maintains a level of professionalism and develops positive relationships with program participants and colleagues; encourages parent, guardian, or caregiver involvement.
10. Conveys information on aquatics programs and schedules and as appropriate refers program participants and families to other programs offered at the facility.
11. Maintains records as required (i.e. attendance, progress reports).
12. Prepares and puts away appropriate equipment for each class; keeps equipment organized; reports damaged equipment to supervisor.
13. Assists Recreation Supervisor in scheduling part-time lifeguard, slide dispatcher, swim Instructor, pool clerk staff.
14. Assists in training and developing, and directing lifeguard, slide dispatcher, swim instructor, and pool clerk staff. Performs the duties of a Head Lifeguard, as needed.
15. Assists other aquatic staff in emergency situations.
16. Attends all staff meetings and in-servicetrainings. Assists the Recreation Supervisor and Head Lifeguards in conducting in-service trainings.
17. Assists in performing cleaning services of the pool and other assignedareas.
18. Maintains a level of professionalism and models customer service skills when interacting with patrons and programparticipants.
19. Assists in Parks and Recreation Division activities and specialevents.
20. Performs other duties as assigned.

If you are unable to perform the essential functions of the position for which you are applying, either with or without reasonable accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone].

LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Current possession of the following certifications:

• Current and valid California Driver's License
• High School Diploma or its equivalent (GED)
• Basic Life Support (Professional Rescuer CPR/AED)
• First Aid
• First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22)
• YMCA Lifeguard or American Red Cross Lifeguard or equivalent
• YMCA Lifeguard Supervisor course or American Red Cross Lifeguard Management course or equivalent
• Lompoc Aquatic Center Swim Instructor training or YMCA Swim Instructor or American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification or be able to obtain certification within the first six months of hire
• YMCA Lifeguard or American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor or equivalent (preferred)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training, education, and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Minimum Age:Must be at least 18 years of age.

Knowledge of:

1. Lifesaving and swimming principles and practices.
2. First Aid principles and practices.
3. Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
4. Beginning through advanced swim strokes.
5. Swimming and water safety principles and practices.
6. Simple recordkeeping
7. Understand safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the Aquatic Center.

Ability to:

1. Lead and train personnel.
2. Maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness.
3. Understand and administer Aquatic Center rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and program schedules.
4. Teach swimming, water safety, and lifesavings, organize and conduct a variety of aquatic programs.
5. Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
6. Demonstrate lifeguard and swim instructor skills in accordance with the Lompoc Aquatic Center, YMCA, or American Red Cross standards.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS: The conditions herein 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.

PHYSICAL: Strength category: Heavy Work - Lifting, carrying, and/or pushing 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds. May involve significant standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, handling, gripping, grasping, twisting at the waist, reaching at, above and below shoulder level, extending neck upward, downward, and side to side, climbing stairs, crouching, and kneeling.

Vision:Visual acuity which could be corrected sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position; average depth perception needed; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.

Hearing:Effectively hear/comprehend oral instructions and communication; and hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.

MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL: Works cooperatively and interacts appropriately with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public; responds quickly to changing priorities; communicates effectively orally; performs effective multi-tasking; understands, remembers, and carries out job instructions; knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies, and guidelines; and works under pressure; works within deadlines.

• Remain alert with no lapses ofconsciousness.
• Ability to instruct and observe participants in proper stroketechniques.
• Maintaincalmandpracticegoodjudgmentinstressfulandemergencysituations.
• Model professionalism and relationship-building/customer service skills in all interactions.
• Effectively communicate with patrons, city and facility staff using authority, diplomacy, and sensitivity.