Aquatics - Lifeguard

 The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is one of the largest charities in the DC   area. The Y serves as an anchor in the community offering programs and   services encompassing youth development, healthy living, and social   responsibility. 

Position: Lifeguard         Salary: $15.20 per hour  

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a leading nonprofit   organization that has a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The Y   is a cause driven organization that offers tremendous opportunities to make a   difference. We invite you to join us in this amazing work to develop your   skills, to realize your leadership potential and discover a career that is so   much more than a job. You will have bragging rights of being a part of a   longstanding and reputable organization that founded many aquatic   programs.  You will have a rewarding career. Flexible work schedule with   part-time and full-time shifts, benefits, and growth. You will become part of a   high functioning team that will help you learn skills throughout your career.   You will make a difference everyday keeping individuals safe! 
 The Y will provide lifeguard/CPR-AED certification classes. 

About the Job 

The Lifeguard position supervises swimming activities at the Y’s aquatic facilities and protects the safety of all swimmers by preventing accidents and by responding to an emergency quickly and efficiently to minimize the danger to those involved. 
   Some of the exciting tasks you will do as a Lifeguard include but are   not limited to: 
 

• Enforces pool regulations and water safety policies. 
• Administers first aid in the event of injury, rescues swimmers in distress or danger of drowning, and administers CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary.
• Evaluates conditions for safety and initiates aquatics emergency action plan as required.
• Inspects pool facilities, equipment, and water to ensure that they are safe and usable.
• Supervises and assists in cleaning the pool and related facilities and   equipment, assists with chlorine residual water tests and with records and charts of water tests and records of accidents, and adds chemicals to pool. 

Qualifications and Skills: 

•  Must be 16 years of age and able to swim.
•  Possess an outgoing personality with the ability to relate well with   participants of various age groups. 
•  Must be attentive, multi-faceted, reliable, and a proven problem solver.
•  Prefer current lifeguard certification.
•  Prefer CPR and First Aid certifications.

 Working Conditions: 

•  Must have the physical ability to meet all prerequisites for YMCA   Lifeguarding. 
•  Must be able to lift and move around objects of 40 pounds or more. 
•  Swim 500 yards. 
•  Tread water for two minutes. (Legs only)  
•  Retrieve training victim from bottom deep end.  
•  Active victim rescue with tube.
•  Passive victim rescue with tube. 
•  Backboard victim.
•  Ability to see and hear participants in distress or asking for assistance. 

Benefits:
Did you know that just for being a YMCA employee you get great benefits and discounts from banks, credit unions, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Dell, Veterinary Pet Insurance, supplemental (AFLAC, ALLSTATE, Vision Care, LegalShield) and even Zip Car! The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington provides progressive employee benefits, including a 10% employer-funded retirement plan with vesting after two years of service or 1000 hours compensated time in each of those two years; 403(b) savings plan; high quality and affordable healthcare; free YMCA membership for employee, spouse and dependents; paid time off/sick leave, numerous professional development opportunities.
 

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a workplace culture where all employees are treated with fairness and respect.

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibility: 

• Protects the safety of all swimmers by preventing accidents and by responding to an emergency quickly and efficiently to minimize the danger to those involved  

Supervisory Responsibility: 

X No Supervisory responsibility   

¨ Provides guidance, leadership, or training to other employees (no direct supervision)  

¨ Directly responsible for supervising non-exempt, clerical, or office administration personnel 

¨ Directly responsible for supervising exempt, professional, or technical employees 

¨ Directly responsible for supervising supervisory/managerial employees 

Organizational Structure: 

Job title to which this position reports: Aquatic Director or Assistant Aquatic Director or Aquatic Coordinator 

Job titles directly reporting to this position: None 

Job titles indirectly reporting to this position: None 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Reports to work on time, in uniform, and is ready to work when the shift starts 

• Ensures that all appropriate equipment is available 

• Checks area for hazardous conditions at the beginning of shift 

• Knows and practices the proper emergency procedures 

• Enforces the rules; explaining the reasons behind the rules, as well as the danger infractions present. Reports persistent problems to the supervisor 

• Keeps members/participants from congregating on walk areas that may present safety issues; not tolerating recklessness or rough play 

• Makes neat and clear entries in required logs 

• Outdoor pools – clears all swimmers during electrical storms 

• Other duties as required 

Customer Service Standards: 

Staff Engagement: 

• Performs secondary duties and provide information to deepen the member’s knowledge of the Y and program offerings 

• Greets each member with a warm smile 

• Enforces aquatics rules with respect and care 

• Offers aquatics knowledge to enhance member experience 

Facility Excellence: 

• Is prepared and attentive to my surroundings 

• Ensures that the aquatics area an all equipment are clean and in proper working condition 

Show: 

• Welcomes all program participants within their first two weeks of class 

• Is an “aquatics ambassador” that enhances the member experience 

Required Competencies: 

Mission Advancement 

• Values - Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. 

• Community - Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. 

Collaboration 

• Inclusion - Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. 

• Relationships - Builds rapport and relates well to others. 

• Communication - Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. 

Operational Effectiveness 

• Decision Making - Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. 

• Quality Results - Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members. 

Personal Growth 

• Self Development - Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. 

• Emotional Maturity - Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships 

• Functional Expertise - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology. 

Education, Certification, Skills, and Experience: 

• Must be 16 years of age 

• Blood Borne Pathogens 

• Right to Know 

• Facility Orientation/Aquatic Policy 

• Emergency Procedures 

• Preventing Child Abuse 

• Backboard Training 

• Adult, child, and infant CPR 

• Current lifeguard certification 

• Must obtain YMCA certification within the first year of employment 

* Jr. Lifeguards may be hired in jurisdictions that allow it. These positions will be graded with regular lifeguards, but paid slightly lower wages. A Jr. Lifeguards may not guard alone. As soon as s/he reaches 16 years of age, must take YMCA Lifeguard Crossover 

YMCA Leadership Certification: 

Position requires ongoing progress towards Leader Certification 

Working Conditions: 

• Must have the physical ability to meet all prerequisites for YMCA Lifeguarding 

• Must be able to lift and move around objects of 40 pounds or more  

• Swim 500 yards 

• Tread water for two minutes. (Legs only) 

• Retrieve training victim from bottom deep end 

• Active victim rescue with tube 

• Passive victim rescue with tube 

• Backboard victim 

• Ability to see and hear participants in distress or asking for assistance