Lifeguard

YMCA of NorthWest North Carolina; Wilkesboro (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of NorthWest North Carolina is seeking a Lifeguard to maintain continuous surveillance, enforce safety protocols, and respond to emergencies across our aquatic facilities. This role blends safety leadership with positive member engagement and water quality monitoring.

Lifeguards are problem solvers and customer service representatives who communicate rules tactfully and build relationships with members.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 16 for part-time; 18 for full-time positions.
• Current YMCA Lifeguard certification or equivalent required.
• Active CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, First Aid, and Oxygen certifications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain continuous surveillance of assigned pool zones and perform emergency rescues.
• Enforce pool rules and record safety incidents and inspections.
• Conduct pre-shift safety checks, test water chemistry, and inspect rescue equipment.
• Build relationships with members through welcoming interactions and clear explanations.
• Attend mandatory staff trainings and maintain readiness for emergencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lifeguard procedures

CPR/AED

Water quality

Customer service

Surveillance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

YMCA Lifeguard Certification (or equivalent)

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Job Summary

The Lifeguard maintains active visual surveillance, enforces safety protocols, and executes emergency responses across aquatic facilities within the parent company's estate and enterprise portfolio. This role balances critical safety oversight with positive member engagement and water quality monitoring.

Description

Job Summary

The Lifeguard maintains active visual surveillance, enforces safety protocols, and executes emergency responses across aquatic facilities within the parent company's estate and enterprise portfolio. This role balances critical safety oversight with positive member engagement and water quality monitoring. Lifeguards are also problem solvers, communicators, and customer service representatives. Being able to make quick decisions and enforce them tactfully is a key part of being a successful lifeguard. While ensuring safety is the primary duty, Lifeguards are also responsible for building relationships with members and program participants by waving and speaking briefly as they enter the pool, explaining rules as needed in a friendly and educational manner and working with the Y team to be consistent across all shifts.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain continuous surveillance of assigned pool zones and execute immediate emergency rescues utilizing the "safe-in-six" framework and enterprise risk protocols.
• Enforce pool rules tactfully and maintain accurate site, state Health Department, and safety incident logbooks.
• Perform pre-shift safety hazard checks, complete chemical water testing, and inspect emergency rescue gear for full operational readiness.
• Build positive relationships with members and guests through welcoming interactions and friendly, educational policy explanations.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings, complete required in-service training, and maintain continuous physical and mental skill readiness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced command of lifesaving procedures, emergency oxygen administration, CPR/AED intervention, and chemical testing metrics.
• Exceptional decision-making and interpersonal communication skills to tactfully enforce policies, paired with unwavering visual and auditory vigilance.

Education & Experience

• Education: Minimum age of 16 for part-time employment; minimum age of 18 for full-time employment. High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Certifications & Experience: Current YMCA Lifeguard (or equivalent) with requirement to cross-over to YUSA Guard within 90 days of hire. Must hold active certifications in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen. Prior aquatics or customer service experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain seated in elevated lifeguard chairs or stand/walk on pool decks while maintaining continuous alertness with no lapses in consciousness.
• Requires regular swimming, diving, bending, stooping, reaching, and active movement to execute water rescues and equipment setups.
• Must meet YMCA lifeguard strength and physical testing standards, including the ability to lift, pull, or extract individuals out of the water weighing up to 50+ pounds.
• Acute auditory and visual capacity to detect distress signals, hear noises underwater and across active pool environments, and observe all sections of an assigned zone.
• Onsite aquatic facilities, indoor pool rooms, and outdoor waterfront spaces; exposure to humid environments, pool maintenance chemicals, and direct weather elements.

Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting

At our Association, safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility, regardless of role or position. All employees are strictly required to maintain awareness of our abuse prevention and reporting policies. You must take immediate, appropriate action in accordance with our protocols and legal mandates if any standard of safety is compromised or if abuse is suspected.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment-related decisions are based on job-related qualifications, merit, business needs, and other lawful criteria.

Mission:

“Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind, and body.”