Lifeguard I

Willamalane-Park-and-Recreation-Distric; Springfield (OR); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Annual cost of living increase

Merit increase eligibility

Spanish/ASL competency bonus

Discounts on programs

Free pool use for employee

Free gym access for employee

Wellness programs

Direct deposit

Job summary

Willamalane Park and Recreation District is seeking a Lifeguard I to monitor pool safety, perform rescues, and assist guests. The role is part-time, non-exempt, and non-benefitted with weekly hours up to 19.75 across shifts.

Training and ongoing safety directives from aquatic leadership are emphasized. Candidates must possess or obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard certification with CPR/AED, and be prepared to work varying shifts, including mornings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Possesses or obtains knowledge of lifeguarding methods and emergency procedures.
• CPR/AED and first aid skills are required.
• Strong communication with guests and staff is essential.

Responsibilities

• Vigilantly monitor swimmers and guests across the facility.
• Perform rescues and administer emergency care as trained.
• Maintain situational awareness and follow policies and safety guidelines.
• Attend trainings and participate in team safety initiatives.
• Interact with guests to answer questions and provide services.

Skills

Lifeguarding

CPR

AED

First aid

Communication

Guest service

Education

American Red Cross Lifeguard training

Job description

LIFEGUARD I

Part-time, non-exempt, non-benefitted

Year round, up to 19.75 hours/week

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

All applications due by 5pm on 12/7/2026

Anticipated start date 12/18/2026

General Statement of Duties

Integrates training and judgment to make independent, responsible, professional decisions without direct supervision. Vigilantly monitors the safety of swimmers and guests as trained and assigned; initiates safety and guest-service responses as trained; interprets and implements swim center policies and safety guidelines; performs light custodial work; does related guest-services and operations work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class:

An employee in this classification is responsible for vigilantly observing swimmers, assessing and recognizing their abilities and needs, initiating actions to assist and serve swimmers and guests, and soliciting the general public's compliance with swim center policies and safety guidelines. Positions in this classification require flexibility to work assigned shifts across facilities based on department operational needs. Employees are required to remain active, responsive communication with Aquatics leadership. Work is performed under the supervision of an Aquatics Supervisor who reviews work primarily on the basis of direct observation and information from coworkers and guests. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES PERFORMED:

(Illustrative only. Any single position of a class will not necessarily involve all of the duties listed, and many positions will involve duties that are not listed.)

• Vigilantly monitor the safety of swimmers and other guests using swim center facilities; constantly observes guests in assigned area.
• Perform rescues and administer emergency care and assessment as trained and necessary. Initiate or participate in a coordinated, team approach to manage incidents.
• Receive, read, and stay current on all regular departmental communications and directives from Aquatics leadership; maintain prompt responsiveness to phone calls and text messages regarding shifts, facility updates, and scheduling.
• Solicit swim center guest compliance with facility-use policies and procedures. Take an active role to initiate and perform services for guests and coworkers.
• Respond to questions from swim center guests regarding programs, activities, policies, and practices.
• Perform light custodial maintenance duties such as hosing the deck, cleaning break room area, cleaning bathrooms, change rooms, and/or locker areas as assigned and necessary.
• Handle pool covers and mat carts; removing and/or applying them back on the pool.
• Attend and participate in in-service trainings. Demonstrate retention of skills and ability to initiate action and integrate actions with other staff team members.
• Respond positively to correction and accept direction. Remain personally accountable in seeking resolution to misunderstandings, conflicts, or performance problems of self or others. Operate within progressive chains of responsibility and authority.
• Actively participate in department programs which promote continual learning and improvement.
• Perform other job-related duties or tasks as required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:

Possesses or obtains considerable knowledge of swimming pool and guest safety; lifeguarding methods and practices, emergency care and assessment, and emergency procedures.

Skills:

Lifeguarding skills and methods, emergency care and assessment, CPR, AED, first aid, communicating professionally, and working with guests and staff team members.

Abilities:

Integrate training and judgment to make independent, responsible, professional decisions without direct supervision; vigilantly observe and monitor the safety of swimmers and other guests using swim center facilities; exercise professional judgment to act effectively in emergency situations; interpret and implement swim center policies and practices; work and communicate effectively and cooperatively with guests and staff team members; arrive promptly, prepared to accomplish responsibilities; accept direction and demonstrate continual learning and improvement. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Physical Demands of the Position:

While performing the duties of this position the employee is frequently required to stand, bend, swim, and lift and tow while in water; the employee is infrequently required to crouch and kneel. While on deck, the employee is expected to be standing, holding floatation device, and surveilling the pool at all times. The employee is occasionally required to lift and carry tables and chairs weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance. The employee is frequently required to help in the removal and application of pool mats, which requires the maneuvering of a 300-pound mat cart that is heavier when waterlogged, with proper safety tools. During emergencies and training simulations, the employee frequently must lift and tow persons of varying body weights (generally between 20 and 200 pounds) through the water and, with assistance, lift person onto the pool deck. Employee must be able to meet the American Red Cross pre-course requirements, which include, swimming 150 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, immediately treading water for 2-minutes using only one's legs, swimming 50 more yards using front crawl or breaststroke all while demonstrating good breath control and face in the water while swimming; and retrieving a 10lb. object from ten (10) feet of water in 1 minute, 40 seconds after swimming 20 yards. The duties of this position are performed inside the facility, thus exposure to weather extremes is not likely. Pool and pool area temperature remains around 82-88* F with humidity; however, during summer months the pool area may be warmer. Exposure to loud noise is high while on deck, and low to moderate in office and other areas. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

Personal Protective Equipment:

On employee's person at all times while on deck, rip-resistant nitrile gloves, safety mask, one-way valve CPR responder mask; liquid proof gloves for general maintenance.

Minimum Experience and Training:

American Red Cross Lifeguard training.

Preferred Experience and Training:

American Red Cross Lifeguard training with Waterpark learning module and experience as a Lifeguard. Individuals bilingual in Spanish or ASL are encouraged to apply; a bilingual rate adjustment for Spanish or ASL is contingent upon passing a proficiency test.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of or ability to obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard certification including CPR/AED certifications and Bloodborne pathogen training within two months of hire. Inability to acquire American Red Cross Lifeguard certification will result in termination from this position. Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test will be required prior to employment. Candidates who need Lifeguard certification will be scheduled into a Lifeguard training with Willamalane at no cost.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Work Schedule, Coverage, & Attendance Expectations:

• Shift Variability & Availability: Work schedules vary based on department operational needs. Employees should be available to work a combination of morning, midday, afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts across both facilities, including shifts assigned for pool rentals and special events.
• Term-Based Scheduling: Schedules are typically established prior to each school term (Fall, Winter Break, Winter, Spring Break, Spring, and Summer). Management reserves the right to modify schedules.
• Team Collaboration & Coverage: Staff must remain active, open communication with peers, proactively identify scheduling needs, and collaborate to ensure complete shift coverage. Employees are expected to assist teammates by filling in for open shifts resulting from illness, injury, emergency, or coverage requests.
• Time-Off Requests: Time-off requests will generally be approved if the employee has secured qualified replacement coverage for all affected shifts prior to submission, or in cases of sudden personal illness, injury, or emergency.

Hours & Shifts:

• Varies, and may include mornings, middays, evenings, and weekends.
• Additional hours are required for departmental meetings, in-service trainings, opening/closing duties, and occasional events and rentals.

Drug Free Workplace

Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test will be required prior to employment.

Oregon Pay Equity

Willamalane Park and Recreation District determines starting pay based on the applicant's relevant education, experience and training within the wage and salary range for the position. This process is consistent with Oregon pay equity laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS:

• Paid sick leave beginning with date of hire, 1 hour accrual for every 30 hours worked. Part-time staff may use sick leave beginning on their 91st day of employment.
• Annual cost of living increase (up to 4% as approved by the Board).
• Merit increase (3%) upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, and up a three percent (3%) increase annually thereafter as approved by the Board.
• Additional $1/hour increase upon successful completion of a Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL) competency test.
• Discount on selected childcare programs (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 25-percent discount on certain recreation programs.
• Free use of pools for lap and play swim for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free use of fitness center for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free Wellness programs for employee.
• Payroll direct deposit is available.