Full Time Lifeguard - Weekend Availability Required

Stephens Family YMCA; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life and LTD Insurance

Paid Vacation and sick days

Paid Holidays

403(b) and 401(a) upon eligibility

Free YMCA membership

Discount on YMCA programs and merchandise

Job summary

A community aquatic center in Champaign, Illinois is seeking a full-time lifeguard. The role involves monitoring pool activities, enforcing safety regulations, and providing first aid when necessary. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma, and have current lifeguard certification. The position offers a variety of benefits including health, dental, and life insurance, along with a free YMCA membership. Applicants should have strong swimming skills and be able to lift 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Recommended two years of lifeguard experience.
• Possess current Lifeguard certification from American Red Cross.
• Serious attitude toward guarding and clear thinking in emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Engage in active surveillance to prevent injuries.
• Warn swimmers of improper activities or danger.
• Administer first aid and perform rescues as necessary.
• Orient new lifeguards to their job duties.

Skills

Monitoring pool activities

Applying first aid

Customer service skills

Communication with all ages

Strong water skills

Ability to lift 50 pounds

Education

High school graduate or equivalent

Tools

Lifeguard rescue equipment

CPR & AED equipment

Job description

GENERAL FUNCTION

Under supervision of the Aquatics Director, the full-time lifeguard engages in active surveillance to prevent injuries and drownings. This employee warns swimmers of improper activities or danger and enforces pool regulations and water safety policies. In this role, the full-time lifeguard administers first aid in the event of injury, rescues swimmers in distress or danger of drowning, and performs CPR and/or ventilations, if necessary. The full-time lifeguard will monitor swimmers while enforcing all safety rules on a daily basis. Employee will be full-time, 35‑38 hours per week, with health, dental, life, and LTD benefits offered. Candidates must be willing and available to work mornings, mid‑day, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs all lifeguard responsibilities including monitoring pool activities, applying first aid, and performing water rescues as necessary.
• Ensures that swimmers are well supervised in the pool and on decks. Fills in for lifeguards as necessary.
• Orients new lifeguards to job duties and responsibilities.
• Ensures that other lifeguards in their rotation perform in accordance with established safety regulations and policies.
• Keeps management well informed of pool maintenance needs including cleaning and repairs.
• Inventories and recognizes when supplies or equipment need to be ordered and communicates the needs to the Assistant Aquatics Director and/or Aquatics Director.
• Interfaces with members and guests regarding concerns, problems, or any other significant issues. Provides input and feedback while responding to problems.
• Ensures that aquatic programs are occurring as desired and assists with the overall management of swimming events by moving lane lines and adjusting our capacity/closure signs or cones.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Recommended two years of paid lifeguard experience or previous lifeguard supervisory experience.
• Possess current Lifeguard (American Red Cross), Professional Rescuer CPR & AED and Basic First Aid certification. If certified by another recognized organization (Ellis and Associates, Boy Scouts, etc.), must obtain Red Cross certification.
• Possess a serious attitude toward guarding and an aptitude for thinking clearly in emergency situations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate knowledge in the use of rescue equipment, including a backboard.
• Must be able to communicate with people of all ages.
• Must show exceptional customer service with members and potential members.
• Must be friendly, positive, professional and able to relate to members.
• Applicant must be able to remain vigilant and on task for long periods of time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to remain standing/walking for an entire shift.
• Display strong water skills and maintain top level of physical fitness.
• Must have adequate vision and hearing to be able to effectively be able to hear and see distress signs.
• Must be able to swim 300 continuous yards.
• Must be able to retrieve brick from 8 feet and swim length of the pool with the brick in your hand.
• Applicant must be able to perform all skills/drills successfully.
• Ability to tread water with no hands for 2 minutes continuously.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and dry conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is moderately loud when in the pool area.

The employee may be exposed to stressful situations as a result of human behavior.

BENEFITS

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life and LTD Insurance
• Paid Vacation and sick days
• Paid Holidays
• 403(b) and 401(a) upon eligibility
• Free YMCA membership
• Discount on YMCA programs and merchandise

ABUSE PREVENTION

As a YMCA staff member, you are responsible for ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all members, participants, and colleagues. This includes actively adhering to and promoting the YMCA's abuse risk management policies, which are designed to prevent and address any potential incidents of abuse. You are expected to remain vigilant in recognizing signs of abuse, report any concerns or suspicious behaviors immediately, and participate in required training to stay informed on best practices for safeguarding. Your commitment to these protocols is essential in fostering a trusted, respectful, and secure environment for everyone involved in YMCA programs and services.