Head Lifeguard

Town of Grottoes; Grottoes (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Town of Grottoes is hiring for the Head Lifeguard position in the Parks & Tourism Department for the spring/summer 2026 season. This part-time hourly role focuses on swimmer safety, water condition monitoring, and enforcing pool rules to protect patrons.

Responsibilities include supervising lifeguards, assisting with chemical checks and maintenance, and coordinating with the Pool Manager. Candidates should be strong swimmers with relevant certifications and flexible availability.

Qualifications

• Must be a strong swimmer with the ability to navigate the water even while carrying another person.
• Excellent observation skills to monitor swimmers and safety conditions.
• High level of attention to detail and concentration; strong judgement and ability to calmly assess situations.
• Ability to direct the work of staff and maintain effective working relationships.
• First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard certified or ability to obtain lifeguard certification before pool season begins; Lifeguard Instructor certification preferred.
• At least 17 years old with a HS diploma or GED; customer service experience preferred.
• Access to dependable transportation and willingness to work varied hours including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and training of lifeguards; coordinates scheduling with Pool Manager.
• Assist Pool Manager with the use of pool chemicals and monitoring to ensure water is within legal limits, and pool mechanical systems are running properly.
• Oversee swimmer safety by monitoring water conditions and guest behavior, enforcing safety rules and paying close attention to swimmer activities and behavior.
• Issue warnings when a guest is creating an unsafe environment.
• Assist new swimmers as necessary to ensure safe use of pool.
• Assist with concession stand operations.
• Conduct rescue operations, if necessary, in accordance with established emergency procedures; responsible for recording and reporting pool accidents or incidents in a timely manner.
• Operate the pool entrance booth, collect money, and assist with the daily reconciliation of pool revenues.
• Assist with organizing and delivering pool activities.
• Monitoring weather and water conditions for signs of danger.
• Assist with the opening and closing of the pool.
• Assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the pool and pool facilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

First Aid

CPR certified

Lifeguard certified

Strong swimmer

Observation skills

Attention to detail

Decision making

Staff supervision

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

TOWN OF GROTTOES invites applications for the position of: Head Lifeguard

An Equal Opportunity Employer

__________________________________________________________________________________________

SALARY:

Hourly $16.00

OPENING DATE: 1/20/2026

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

DESCRIPTION:

The Parks & Tourism Department is hiring for multiple positions of Head Lifeguard for the spring/summer of 2026. Lifeguards are a part-time hourly position with a hiring pay rate of $16.00/hour with an opportunity for higher pay based on experience. Primary responsibility is to maintain swimmer safety, monitor water conditions and guest behavior to safeguard and protect the pool patrons. Responsibilities also include general maintenance work to assist in maintaining a safe and clean environment. Provides general supervision of lifeguards, and oversees water rescues, and safety procedures in the prevention of injuries and emergency situations at the pool facility. Work is performed under the direction of the Pool Manager.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Essential Functions

• Provide day-to-day supervision and training of lifeguards; coordinates scheduling with Pool Manager;
• Assists Pool Manager with the use of pool chemicals and monitoring to ensure water is within legal limits, and pool mechanical systems are running properly;
• Oversee swimmer safety by monitoring water conditions and guest behavior, enforcing safety rules and paying close attention to swimmer activities and behavior;
• Issue warnings when a guest is creating an unsafe environment;
• Assist new swimmers as necessary to ensure safe use of pool;
• Assist with concession stand operations;
• Conduct rescue operations, if necessary, in accordance with established emergency procedures; responsible for recording and reporting pool accidents or incidents in a timely manner;
• Operate the pool entrance booth, collect money, and assist with the daily reconciliation of pool revenues;
• Assist with organizing and delivering pool activities;
• Monitoring weather and water conditions for signs of danger;
• Assist with the opening and closing of the pool;
• Assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the pool and pool facilities;
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Requirements:

Must be a strong swimmer who can maneuver and navigate in the water even while carrying another person; excellent observation skills with the ability to observe and monitor swimmers and safety conditions; possess a high level of attention to detail and concentration; strong judgement and response skills with the ability to calmly assess a situation and make critical decisions to provide assistance; ability to direct the work of staff; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, vendors, and the general public.

• First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard certified or be able to obtain lifeguard certification before pool season begins. Lifeguard Instructor certification preferred.
• Must be at least 17 years of age; High School diploma or GED, minimal experience in customer service work, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred
• Access to dependable transportation
• Availability and willingness to work a varied schedule, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, swimming, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to wet, humid conditions, exposure to chemicals related to pool operations; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e. g. outdoor recreation, light to moderate traffic), with many interruptions.

The selected candidate for this position will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:

• Criminal background check.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Job applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until all positions are filled. Interviews, hiring, and training will likely take place before pool opens on Memorial Day weekend.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or veteran status.

The Town of Grottoes is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT: 5 Grand Caverns Dr, Grottoes, VA 24441, 540.249.5705, [e-mail], An Equal Opportunity Employer