Lifeguard

YMCA of the USA; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 23,419; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free 1 Parent Family Membership

8% Retirement for Vested Employees

Paid Leave for All

Job summary

YMCA of the USA in Springfield is seeking a Lifeguard to create a safe and welcoming environment at our pools. You'll protect lives and build community connections while supporting our commitment to inclusion.

This is an evergreen role with applications always accepted due to constant hiring needs. The position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact while developing your skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 16.
• Ability to maintain certification-level of physical and mental readiness.
• Prefer knowledge of diverse populations.
• Ability to complete required trainings within 60 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain active surveillance of the pool area.
• Know and respond to emergency procedures.
• Maintain positive relationships with members.
• Perform cleaning duties when not guarding.

Skills

Lifeguard skills

Customer service

Ability to learn quickly

Communication skills

Education

CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification

Current YMCA Lifeguard certification

Job description

Overview

Join the YMCA of Springfield as a Lifeguard and help create a safe, positive, and welcoming environment for all who enjoy our pools. As part of a mission‑driven team, you’ll protect lives, build community connections, and support our commitment to inclusion and member well‑being. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact while developing your skills, we’d love to have you on deck. This position is available at locations including the Downtown Branch, Kerasotes Branch, and Lincoln Branch.

This is an evergreen role, meaning we are always accepting applications for this position due to ongoing hiring needs.

Responsibilities

• Maintains active surveillance of the pool area: rescue ready in uniform wearing whistle and rescue tube.
• Knows/reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Completes related reports as required.
• Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants and other staff.
• Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area. Maintains accurate records as required by the Springfield YMCA and Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
• Checks the pool for hazardous conditions when arriving.
• Performs cleaning duties when not guarding, as required.
• Attends all staff meetings and in‑service training. Employeewill recert in BLS or BFA to make‑up absence.
• Knows/reviews the latest version of the YMCA of Springfield Lifeguard Manual.

The YMCA of Springfield Model Aquatic Policy and Lifeguard Manual outline additional functions and expectations for certification and as applicable supervision for Lifeguards Level 1 – 4.

OUR SERVICE EXPECTATIONS:

• Display a friendly, helpful and positive disposition.
• Provide customer service that is thorough, timely, organized and accurate.
• Help ensure the Y is meeting member and participant needs by utilizing good listening skills, attentiveness, objectivity and patience in all situations.
• Place members and participants as the first and highest priority showing kindness and compassion at all times.
• Demonstrate the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through all daily activities and responsibilities.

Child Abuse Policies & Prevention: The YMCA enforces policies to prevent child abuse. Allegations or suspicions are taken seriously and reported to authorities. Procedures include unscheduled visits, open doors for parents, and a code of conduct for staff. We screen carefully to prevent abusers from being hired and provide child abuse prevention training to staff. Employees who fail to support these policies will be subject to discipline, up to termination.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum age of 16.
• Certifications: CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, Basic First Aid and Emergency Oxygen.
• Current YMCA Lifeguard or equivalent.
• Ability to maintain certification-level of physical and mental readiness.
• Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with Springfield YMCA Standards.
• Ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to work with integrity, discretion and a professional approach.
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Ability to complete all required trainings within 60 days of employment, including but not limited to CPR, first aid, Living Our Cause, DCFS Mandated Report, IL Gateway Registry Modules and to maintain these certifications as current as outlined by regulations or requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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.

• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate. Be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations, ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• May require physical effort while reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, balancing, bending, leaning, kneeling, walking and climbing.
• Specifically, walking up and down stairs multiple times a day.
• Carrying supplies to and from work locations, normally lifting less than 25lbs.
• In an emergency required to lift/exit a victim according to standards of Lifeguard certification.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually high.

Benefits

• Free 1 Parent Family Membership
• 8% Retirement for Vested Employees
• Paid Leave for All

Posted Salary Range

USD $15.00 - USD $17.00 /Hr.