LIFEGUARD I / II

City of El Cerrito; El Cerrito (CA); On-site; USD 16,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of El Cerrito's Recreation Department is seeking seasonal Lifeguards (Lifeguard I-II) to supervise pool areas, teach basic swim lessons, and enforce safety rules at city aquatics facilities. Positions are part-time and may include evenings and weekends, up to 35 hours per week.

Applicants must meet age requirements, complete Lifeguard training, and maintain certifications (LGI/WSI) as required. Training and supervision will be provided by the city.

Qualifications

• Lifeguard certification or ability to obtain certification prior to start date.
• High school level education or equivalent required.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide aquatic safety and supervision for pool patrons.
• Enforce pool rules and regulations to ensure safety.
• Lead, teach, and conduct aquatics classes for various age groups.
• Maintain equipment and assist with pool operations and cleanliness.
• Maintain logs and records of activities and incidents.
• Respond to emergencies with first aid and CPR as needed.

Skills

Lifeguard

Teaching swim lessons

Customer service

Safety awareness

First aid

Education

Tenth grade or equivalent

Job description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

What's The Role?

Under general supervision and depending on assignment, monitors and controls activities of swimmers and community members at a City aquatic facility; provides routine to advanced/specialized swim lessons and aquatics safety programs; conducts lessons and classes tailored to participant interest and abilities; provides demonstrations and supervises program participants; continuously supervises and monitors participants to ensure their safety and well-being; maintains all aquatics division apparatus and equipment; participates in required training programs; participates in inspections and related aquatic education and prevention activities; enforces swimming pool rules and regulations; rescues and administers first aid treatment to children and adults in distress and responds to unsafe conditions or potential hazards; teaches swimming and safety skills to children and adults; and performs related work as required.

Lifeguard I: This is the journey-level classification in the Lifeguard series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment, initiative, attentively observe swimmers, ensure compliance with pool policies and safety guidelines. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Lifeguard II: This is the advanced journey-level, classification in the Lifeguard series. Positions are responsible for performing the more difficult/specialized work assigned to the series, requiring advanced skills and training in the related subject matter area including teaching more advanced swim lessons and stroke technique, or teaching Lifeguard classes. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

These positions are seasonal and assigned up to 20-35 hours per week (not to exceed 1,000 hours annually), which include evenings and weekends.

Hours are variable and include opening and day shifts (5am or 5:30am - 4pm). Ages 18 and over preferred. Lifeguarding classes will be offered through the Recreation Department (more information available at elcerrito.gov/swimjobs).

Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides aquatic safety and supervision for community members; monitors activities in the pool and facilities to avoid and prevent accidents, and to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons; promotes public safety at all times.
• Provides courteous and professional customer service to all patrons, facility users, personnel, and public.
• Enforces swimming pool and aquatics facility rules and regulations.
• Leads, teaches, and conducts aquatics lessons, classes, and activities for groups of youth, teens, adults, and/or seniors according to collective ability level of participants.
• Provides technical guidance to participants by demonstrating skills, methods, and techniques, ensuring proper form and safety.
• Provides first responder medical emergency response; administers first aid as required.
• Maintains cleanliness of aquatic facilities including locker rooms, bathrooms, and communal staff areas; performs light cleaning and custodial duties including, but not limited to, mopping, scrubbing, hosing, sweeping, and removing litter.
• Inspects and maintains swimming and pool equipment for functionality; recommends maintenance and repairs as required; tests and monitors pool water chemistry and clarity including recording chemical levels.
• Covers and uncovers swimming pool with tarps; tightens and rearranges lane lines as required.
• Attends trainings, workshops, and classes related to job duties.
• Receives and responds to questions and concerns; determines issue and resolves within established guidelines or refers to supervisor as appropriate.
• Maintains logs and records of activities including incident reports and training logs.
• Answers telephones and performs clerical duties including data entry and money handling.
• Assists with citywide special events and recreation department activities as assigned.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Lifeguard I-II: Equivalent to completion of the tenth (10th) grade.

Experience:

Lifeguard I-II: The minimum age for positions in this classification is fifteen (15). Ability to provide a work permit if you have not completed high school or the equivalent and are under the age of 18 years old.

Lifeguard I: Experience swimming, teaching, or assisting with swim lessons and/or participation in junior lifeguard programs, or equivalent.

Lifeguard I-II: One (1) year of experience lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Train-to-hire; must complete and pass Lifeguarding class priorto start date.

• Possession of a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) or Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification, or equivalent, to be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge and abilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Swimming pool, guest safety, and emergency procedures.
• Lifeguarding skills and methods.
• Instructional methods and techniques applicable to the aquatics field including beginning through advanced swim strokes.
• Modern principles and practices of swimming program development and implementation.
• Methods and techniques of implementing aquatics activities.
• Operations, services, activities, and equipment of assigned class.
• Operational characteristics of water rescue safety equipment and devices.
• Methods, materials, and equipment involved in the maintenance and operation of swimming pools.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols including basic first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods.
• Techniques for de-escalation and providing a high level of customer service by effectively assisting with the public, vendors, and City staff.
• Instructional methods and techniques applicable to the aquatics field, as applicable, which may include beginning through advanced swim strokes.
• Modern principles and practices of swimming and safety programs development and implementation.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Attentively observe and monitor the safety of swimmers and other guests using aquatic facilities.
• Lead and teach assigned aquatics classes or swim team practices and activities for a variety of age levels.
• Provide instruction, feedback, and evaluation to program participants.
• Operate and maintain lifesaving equipment.
• Enforce swimming pool and facility rules and regulations.
• Work with children and adults in a recreational setting.
• Learn City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies.
• Assist with facility programs and rentals as assigned.
• Maintain discipline, order, and safety in a crowded and noisy environment.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Utilize and implement proper money handling and customer service procedures.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

THE COMMUNITY

Located near the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, the City of El Cerrito is an ethnically diverse community offering a high quality of life within one of the nation's most sophisticated and beautiful living areas. With a population of almost 25,000 residents, El Cerrito has the advantage of being centrally located in a major metropolitan area. El Cerrito is an established community with a strong self-identity and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its community members.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Recreation Department provides a full range of recreational and educational activities for youth and adults, facility rentals, community events, and diverse programs and services to enhance quality of life in El Cerrito.

For more information, please visit the City's Human Resources page:

Human Resources

Recreation Department

Part-Time Salary Schedule

Physical Demands