Emergency Services Coordinator

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Vacation and Sick Leave

Professional Development

Job summary

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission is seeking an Emergency Services Coordinator to oversee seasonal lifeguard training and EMS readiness across parks. The role includes CPR/AED/First Aid instruction, incident documentation, and ongoing safety program administration.

The position requires weekend/holiday work, on-call status, and a move toward a hybrid work arrangement with prior approval. A bachelor’s degree and lifeguard/EMS certifications are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation or related field; three years’ experience preferred.
• Lifeguard certification and Emergency Medical Responder required.
• Ability to obtain HIS, BLS Instructor and other certifications as listed in the job description.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct training for seasonal waterpark and ocean lifeguards in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
• Support junior lifeguard programs, lifeguard competitions, and community swim lessons.
• Assist with Emergency Medical Responder courses, in-service trainings and continuing education.
• Develop and maintain emergency action plans and risk management procedures.
• Recruit, schedule, train, and evaluate seasonal staff; manage safety documentation.

Skills

Lifeguard supervision

CPR certification

Emergency medical response

Training program development

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration or related field

Lifeguard certification

Emergency Medical Responder certification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Emergency Services Coordinator supervises seasonal part-time staff to provide agency-wide aquatic safety and emergency medical response training programs. Responsible for exercising risk management approaches to ensure emergency preparedness and safety compliance with facilities, equipment and medical supplies in accordance with agency and regulatory bodies. Performs administrative duties and documentation for safety programs, incident reports and emergency plans. This position supports park programs and special events including triathlons, runs and races. This position requires weekend and holiday work and "on call" status for emergencies or unusual situations is required. Eligible to work in a hybrid environment with prior approval.

Job Location: This position will check in to Headquarters (861 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412), but does travel throughout Charleston county.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Specialized Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinates and conducts training for seasonal waterpark and ocean lifeguards’, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid certification programs. Offers program support for junior lifeguard program, lifeguard competitions, rural swim lessons, public education opportunities, SC Dept of Transportation (SCDOT) Emergency Medical Responder program. Assists with Emergency Medical Responder courses, in-service trainings and continuing education. Participates in Charleston County Parks Emergency Action Plans and other emergency preparedness initiatives. Follows inventory management procedures for medical and emergency equipment and supplies (i.e. medical bags) and conducts regular safety equipment inspections (i.e. defibrillators). Reviews incident reports for complete and accurate information regarding emergency services content and safety compliance. Executes the collection, analysis, audit and secure handling of all safety-related reports and data to ensure compliance with Starguard Elite (SGE), U.S. Lifesaving Association (USLA), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), SC Dept of Environmental Services (SCDES), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, and agency policies. Participate in the annual review of agency risk management and facility emergency action plans, equipment, manuals, training documentation and applicable procedures, conduct research and provide recommendations for improvements. Acts as the Program Director for Starfish Aquatics Institute’s swim lessons program and the Account Manager for the StarGuard Elite lifeguard program.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates and assists with the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, and evaluation of seasonal junior lifeguard instructors as well as the interviewing and hiring of Emergency Services staff.
• Delivers exceptional customer service internally and externally by providing life-saving medical and aquatic services utilizing industry standards for safety training programs.
• Participates in the preparation of the department’s budget including making recommendations, identifying cost‑saving opportunities and complying with budget restrictions.
• Maintains affiliations and certifications with appropriate professional organizations including the South Carolina Recreation and Park Association, National Recreation and Park Association, International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, World Water Park Association, the United States Lifesavings Association, StarGuard Elite, Starfish Aquatics Institute, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, Health and Safety Institute and others in accordance with this position's duties.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education and Work Experience Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from a college or university in parks and recreation administration or a related field, with three years’ experience preferred. This may be offset by an associate’s degree plus four years’ experience or a high school diploma and six years total experience required. Previous lifeguard experience is preferred. Lifeguard certification and Emergency Medical Responder required. Ability to obtain certifications in Health and Safety Institute (HIS), Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Starfish Aquatics Swim Lessons Instructor Trainer, StarGuard Elite Instructor Trainer, USLA Instructor Trainer, and National Registry EMT. Must pass a pre‑employment physical, a drug test and criminal background check, motor vehicle record check and shall possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Verification of Education as listed on Minimum Requirements in job description.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards relating to ocean rescue and waterpark lifeguarding, Emergency Medical Services, aquatic safety operations and emergency response programs. Sufficient experience obtaining, maintaining, and applying advanced industry certifications and instructor‑level credentials related to aquatic safety, emergency medical response, lifeguarding and emergency preparedness training programs.
• Sufficient ability to establish, maintain, and strengthen effective working relationships with fellow employees, vendors, businesses, organizations, groups, individuals and the general public in support of operational goals and service excellence.
• Sufficient experience in providing exceptional customer service and professional support internally and externally.
• Sufficient experience in recruiting, interviewing and hiring qualified candidates, and developing employees through supervising, mentoring, evaluating employee performance in fast‑paced operational environments.
• Sufficient experience in actively listening and expressing ideas clearly, concisely, and professionally in both oral and written form to individuals and groups of varying sizes and backgrounds.
• Sufficient experience in using common office technology hardware and software to support operational efficiency, documentation and program administration.
• Sufficient experience in recognizing, researching, analyzing and solving problems both independently and collaboratively.
• Sufficient experience in managing time, personnel, equipment, and resources to produce quality work while prioritizing competing demands and achieving established operational goals with minimal supervision.
• General knowledge of fiscal management principles including development and management of annual budgets, maximizing revenues, controlling expenses, adhering to procurement procedures, and resource allocation across multiple programs and facilities.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This position requires moving, and also remaining stationary occasionally in an office environment, as well as frequently in outside environments; frequently traversing outside terrain such as concrete, pavement, grass, dirt, and sand; frequently writing, reading, processing and moving documents; frequently operating equipment such as computers, copiers, printers, and scanners; frequently communicating with staff and the public in person, online, and by phone; frequently traveling to central and remote locations throughout Charleston County; frequent exposure to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, precipitation, wind, sun exposure and humidity; must be comfortable in ocean conditions; occasionally moving, lifting, and transporting equipment and miscellaneous items weighing up to 25 pounds and to height of 3‑4 feet.

Benefits working at CCPRC

Along with competitive pay, we offer some pretty terrific benefits including:

• Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Optional Life and Disability Insurance
• Optional Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Annual and Sick Leave
• South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) State Retirement Plan - Both agency and employee contribute to the plan
• Optional Deferred Compensation Program - Employer Matching Funds Program Available
• Longevity Pay Increases
• Optional Federal Credit Union Membership
• Professional and Skill Development Training
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Program with free annual onsite screenings
• Free admission to all of our parks and facilities including beaches and all three waterparks
• Free admission to a variety of special events
• Discounts on food, beverage, and gift shop items
• Free beach chair, umbrella, pedal boat and bike rentals
• A Charleston County Parks employee ID also opens doors for you for free admission at more than 25 participating attractions around town!