Lifeguard - Asheville

YMCA of Western North Carolina; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 14,774 - 21,042; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free individual membership

Discounted membership for household members

Retirement savings account eligibility

Job summary

The YMCA of Western North Carolina is seeking a seasonal part-time Lifeguard in Downtown Asheville. In this role, you will ensure the safety of all swimmers while maintaining vigilance and adhering to emergency procedures.

Successful candidates will have excellent communication skills and be at least 15 years old. Lifeguard certification is preferred, with training provided. Benefits include free YMCA membership and a retention bonus up to $700.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 15.
• Hold a nationally recognized lifeguard certification, training available.
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe swimming environment and monitor conditions.
• Respond to emergencies as per YMCA policies.
• Build relationships with members and participants.

Skills

Ability to maintain physical and mental readiness

Effective listening and verbal skills

Education

Lifeguard certification (preferred)

Job description

Job Details
Level: Entry
Job Location: Downtown Asheville - Asheville, NC 28801
Position Type: Seasonal Part-time
Education Level: None
Salary Range: $13.00
Job Shift: Hours Vary
Job Category: Aquatics
Now Hiring All Shifts! - Opening Shifts Receive $1 Additional Pay.

• Up to $700 in retention bonus.
• We will certify you!

Ask your hiring manager for details.

ABOUT US

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, we engage more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. We do this through seven YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school‑age childcare, we give more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are made up of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working side by side to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential with dignity. Thus, we are “For All”. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and they guide everything we do. We are committed to an organization that exposes and addresses social constraints that limit and/or negatively affect all humans from all walks of life. We recruit staff who are passionate about giving back to the community, helping people, and upholding our core values. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Lifeguard, you will maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas. You will create a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and promotes safety in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. In addition, you will build positive relationships with members and program participants through effective listening and verbal skills and creatively find ways to connect them to one another and the Y community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Primary Duties (On the stand):

• Actively scans and maintains constant vigilance over the aquatic area.
• Knows and reviews all emergency procedures, responds to emergency situations immediately per YMCA policies and procedures, and completes related reports as required.
• Identifies and celebrates the successes of members and program participants.
• Continuously exhibits honesty, caring, respect, responsibility, reliability, flexibility, maturity, and good decision‑making skills.
• Wears required uniform while on duty: lifeguard shirt, bathing suit and/or shorts, whistle, tube, and a hip pack containing a pocket mask, gloves, and other first aid items, as instructed by the aquatic's supervisor.

Secondary Duties (Off the stand):

• These duties can be completed while working a shift with adequate pool coverage or off the stand.
• Always reports to duty on time and works all scheduled shifts. Finds a qualified substitute and obtain approval from the immediate supervisor if missing a scheduled shift is unavoidable.
• Attends and actively participates in all required aquatic staff training and meetings.
• Accurately completes and submits all safety and maintenance records concerning the pool area and usage of the pool as outlined in the Lifeguard Manual.
• Inspects and maintains all emergency equipment (Shepherd's Crooks, ring buoys, rescue tubes, etc.) and other pool equipment and informs the aquatics supervisor and/or Properties Director immediately of necessary equipment repairs.
• Assists in membership retention by interacting and building relationships with members and guests.
• Initiates communications with the Aquatics Supervisor as necessary concerning program problems, personnel conflicts, and member concerns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ABOUT YOU

Qualifications

• Minimum age 15.
• Hold a nationally recognized lifeguard certification, preferred but not required, training available for qualified candidates.
• Lifeguards must currently hold or be able to achieve and maintain the following certifications:
  • CPR for the Professional Rescuer
  • Standard First Aid
  • Emergency Oxygen Administration ~ O2
  • Automated External Defibrillation ~ AED
  • American Red Cross and YMCA Lifeguard are accepted for hire.
• Must obtain Be the Brand within 90 days.
• Pass Skills Test: Complete the swim‑tread‑swim sequence:
  • Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, resurface, and swim 150 yards.
  • After swimming, tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits. Your head must remain above the surface of the water.
  • After maintaining the position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards. You must swim continuously and keep your face in the water to demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
• Pass Skills Test: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
  • Surface dive, feet‑first or head‑first, to a depth of 7 to 20 feet to retrieve a 10‑pound brick.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the brick at the surface and keeping the face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to maintain certification‑level physical and mental readiness.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

• Candidates must possess and maintain the physical and mental acuity necessary to obtain and retain a lifeguarding certification and be able to perform all lifesaving water rescues and other required maneuvers while on duty.
• Observe all areas of the aquatic area, including the pool deck, water surface, and pool bottom.
• Communicate verbally with good voice projection and clarity.

PART‑TIME BENEFITS

• Free individual membership to all YMCA of WNC locations.
• Discounted membership for household members.
• Discounted program fees (swim lessons, youth sports, summer camp and more).
• Start a 403(b) smart savings account on day one of employment (optional) and begin eligibility for YMCA retirement plan.
• Professional development opportunities through local and Y‑USA trainings.

EEO STATEMENT

The YMCA of Western North Carolina is committed to equal opportunity in terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, faith, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies.