Head Lifeguard

East Longmeadow Fire Department; Hilton Head Island (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

East Longmeadow Fire Department is seeking a Head Lifeguard (Ellis & Associates Certified) to oversee lifeguard operations and ensure patron safety at aquatic facilities. The role includes supervising staff, enforcing safety protocols, training, and emergency response planning.

The Head Lifeguard will maintain high service standards, mentor lifeguards, manage records, and coordinate with the Aquatics Director to uphold safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Lifeguarding experience required; head lifeguard/aquatic supervisor preferred.
• Preference for Ellis & Associates instructor certifications.
• Knowledge of East Longmeadow Recreation department policies.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Supervises daily lifeguard operations, scheduling, rotation and break management.
• Enforces Ellis & Associates safety and rescue protocols, maintains vigilance in pool areas.
• Leads in-service training, skills assessments and emergency drills.
• Conducts facility safety checks, water tests and equipment inspections.
• Responds to emergencies with first aid, CPR, or rescue as needed.
• Mentors and evaluates lifeguard staff and supports professional development.
• Turns on water features and maintains pool cleanliness with chlorine as needed.
• Maintains incident reports and training logs; keeps records updated.
• Communicates safety rules clearly to staff, management and guests.
• Handles cash payments and resolves conflicts using communication skills.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal safety regulations.

Skills

Lifeguard supervision

Team leadership

Emergency response

Communication

Water safety checks

Education

Ellis & Associates Lifeguard License

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

AED Certification

Job description

Summary

The Head Lifeguard (Ellis & Associates Certified) is responsible for ensuring the safety, supervision, and well-being of patrons at assigned aquatic facilities and overseeing the direct supervision of staff lifeguards. This position plays a critical role in preventing accidents, enforcing facility rules, and responding promptly and effectively to aquatic emergencies in accordance with Ellis & Associates (E&A) standards and organizational policies. In addition to lifeguard duties, the Head Lifeguards play a crucial leadership role, supervising the lifeguard team, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and maintaining a high standard of service for all guests. Head Lifeguards are expected to maintain constant vigilance, provide a high level of customer service, and participate in ongoing training to ensure compliance with safety, rescue, and emergency response protocols.

Essential Functions

• Supervises daily operations of the lifeguard team, including scheduling, rotation, and break management.
• Enforces all Ellis & Associates safety and rescue protocols, maintaining constant vigilance of the pool area.
• Leads and participates in regular in-service training, skills assessments, and emergency drills.
• Conducts facility safety checks, water tests, and equipment inspections.
• Responds quickly and effectively to emergencies, providing first aid, CPR, or rescue as needed.
• Mentors, trains, and evaluates lifeguard staff, providing feedback and supporting professional development.
• Responsible to turn on water play features, add chlorine as needed to maintain pool cleanliness.
• Maintains accurate and timely records (incident reports, training logs, etc.)
• Communicates clearly with staff, management, and guests regarding safety rules and emergency procedures.
• Handles cash payments.
• Diffuses difficult situations with conflict resolution skills.
• Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal safety regulations.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Reports to the Aquatics Director and works according to Ellis & Associates training and regulations, Town policies and Bylaws, and all applicable state, federal, and local regulations and standards. This position has direct supervision over and management of the lifeguard staff. Work is carried out with moderate supervision, with guidance and direction provided by supervisory staff as needed. Duties require a high level of responsibility, attentiveness, and sound judgment in the execution of assigned functions, while adhering to established protocols and safety requirements.

Education, Training and Experience

Must be at least 16 years of age. Prior lifeguarding experience required, head lifeguard or aquatic supervisor experience preferred. Preference also given to employees with additional Ellis & Associates instructor certifications.

Knowledge of: General aquatic safety and East Longmeadow Recreation department policies.

Ability to: Remain alert and attentive for extended periods, remain calm and authoritative under pressure and during emergency situations, and work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

Skill: Strong swimming skills and physical fitness, effective communication and team work skills, strong leadership and organizational skills.

Required Licensing/Certification: Current Ellis & Associates Lifeguard License and current certifications in First Aid, CPR, and AED required. Successful SORI and CORI is required.

Job Environment

• A majority of work is performed in typical aquatic conditions, with frequent interruptions, where the noise level ranges from quiet to loud. Work may be performed at an indoor or outdoor pool setting.
• Daily exposure to the mechanical pump room.
• Has constant contact with the public.
• Errors could result in personal injury/loss, delays or loss of service, monetary loss, and injuries to members of the public or to other employees, damages to buildings and/or equipment, and legal ramifications.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described 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.

This position is required to communicate and hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Occasionally this position is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. This position may frequently be required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Position requires the ability to swim 200 yards continuously. Close, distance, color, peripheral vision, and depth perception are required. This position requires the ability to perform water rescues and other lifeguard skills as outlined by Ellis & Associates standards.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/DE&I Statement

The Town of East Longmeadow is an Aff… Qualified applicants of all backgrounds including women, people of color, LBGTQIA+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to fair hiring practices and a supportive, welcoming culture that offers equal career development and promotional opportunities to all employees.