Lifeguard, Senior

City of Durham; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Durham’s Durham Parks and Recreation is seeking an on-site Lifeguard Supervisor to ensure patron safety, lead lifeguard staff, and manage daily operations at our pool facilities. Responsibilities include teaching classes, enforcing rules, and maintaining a safe environment.

You will oversee opening and closing procedures, assist with cash handling, and respond to emergencies with first aid as needed. Must hold relevant Red Cross certifications and a NC driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED/HiSet/TASC).
• American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.
• Water Safety Instructor or Lifeguarding Instructor certification required or equivalent.
• Valid NC Driver’s License with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Supervise lifeguard staff and oversee activities in the pool area.
• Lead instructional classes and train staff on safety and procedures.
• Enforce pool rules, communicate instructions, and manage patrons.
• Monitor chemical balances and air quality, maintain supplies.
• Open/close procedures, cash handling, and financial records as needed.
• Respond to emergencies and administer first aid when required.

Skills

Supervising staff

Lead lifeguard program

Communicating rules and regulations

Conflict resolution

Hazard identification

Leadership

Public relations

Report writing

Initiative and judgment

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certification

Water Safety Instructor or Lifeguarding Instructor certification or equivalent

North Carolina Driver’s License

Job description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

A nationally accredited team of passionate professionals devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. Our talented team at Durham Parks and Recreation is devoted to community service and provides a diverse range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars of creating equitable economic impacts; advancing conservation; rejuvenating health and wellness; enhancing quality of life and sustaining social equity.

Hourly Rate: $21.35 - $21.89

Locations: Edison Johnson Aquatic Center and Campus Hills Pool at I. R. Holmes Recreation Center.

Shifts Vary: 6:00am-8:00pm Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm Saturday, and 1:00pm-5:00pm Sunday.

Position responsible for the safety and well-being of patrons while they are at the pool by serving as lead staff on site, providing leadership over lifeguard staff, educating patrons on rules and regulations, enforcing rules, communicating instructions, and providing surveillance. Incumbent leads instructional classes, maintains deck and facility cleanliness and safety, prevents injuries, facilitates periodic in-service training, conducts opening/closing procedures for the facility and the pool, regulates chemical balances, and renders first aid as needed.

• Provides general oversight of the lifeguard staff and monitors all activities in the pool area.
• Assist supervisor and assumes responsibilities in supervisor’s absence, primarily during opening and closing hours, including the completion of cash deposits and financial statements.
• Serves as lead staff on site, leads lifeguard staff, facilitates group job training, assesses quality of work and assists staff with duties.
• Plans and instructs instructional classes for various skill and ability levels, provides feedback to participants and supervisors, and evaluates participant and course effectiveness.
• Assists with regulating chemical balance and air quality in the pool area and with managing chemical supplies and documentation.
• Maintains cleanliness of the pool deck, bathrooms, and showers, refilling supplies as needed.
• Surveys the pool area, determines when to act, and issues warnings for rule infractions or unsafe behavior.
• Completes general safety checks and inspects equipment quality daily.
• Provides customer service by addressing patron needs and handling escalated inquiries in supervisor’s absence.
• Covers front desk as needed and enters patron information, program registrations, and fee payments into Active.Net recreation software system including cash handling with opening and closing procedures.
• Responds to emergencies, provides appropriate guidance to patrons, and administers first aid.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard standards and regulations.
• American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Manual. -Training standards and skills.
• Staff, facility, and program characteristics.
• Program rules, policies, and procedures.
• Swimming pool filtration and filter operation.
• .Best practices for handling money.

SKILL IN:

• Supervising staff and delegating responsibility.
• Leading and directing a swimming instructional program.
• Communicating rules and regulations effectively to individuals and groups.
• Influencing behavior and conflict resolution.
• Identifying hazards and unsafe practices.
• Leadership and public relations.
• Report writing and record keeping.
• Exercising initiative and good judgment.

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSet, TASC).
• One (1) year of direct aquatics experience.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Possess and maintain valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate "and" either Water Safety Instructor "or" Lifeguarding Instructor certificate "or" equivalent certifications by another nationally recognized agency which is valid at all pool facilities.

• Available to work workdays early mornings, evenings, and various shifts on Saturday and Sunday.
• Willing to work at both indoor and outdoor pools.
• Able to communicate through emails, texts, and phone calls.