Lifeguard

Camp Kaufmann Lifeguard (Three-season)

Position Description

Lifeguards are responsible for the safety of campers and staff while at the lake waterfront. They also organize supplies and lead activities at the lake, including fishing and boating, for all campers, ages 5-17 along with their Caregivers or Adult Volunteers. They act in accordance with the New York Department of Health(NYDOH), Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), and the American Camp Association (ACA) standards, and demonstrate the mission of Girl Scouting and the positive impact of camp. 

Responsibilities

• Responsible for camper and staff safety, playing an active role in risk management, and enforcing water safety rules for everyone on camp property.
• Conduct daily monitoring and safety checks of the lake waterfront.
• Arrive on time in accordance with your assigned schedule.
• Lead boating and fishing activities, providing engaging instructions to campers and staff.
• Maintain all safety standards and equipment according to NYDOH and ACA standards.
• Document boat maintenance checks and complete the appropriate logs.
• Maintain clean and organized program areas, including the appropriate use, storage, and cleaning of first aid kits, safety materials, life vests, fishing rods, and boats.
• Immediately report incidents, accidents, illnesses, and maintenance issues to the Camp Leadership Team and assist in preparing reports as required.
• Assist campers and staff in emergency situations; training provided.
• Provide support to Counselor Staff during activities and meals, as needed.
• Enthusiastically participate in all aspects of camp, including staff training, structured and unstructured activities, position-specific in-service training, team building, and debriefing.
• Demonstrate quick thinking, excellent communication, sound problem-solving techniques, and ability to work as a team player.
• Model and teach camp expectations for campers and staff regarding cleanliness, personal hygiene, punctuality, mutual respect, appropriate language, and appropriate attire.
• Comply with all policies communicated in staff training and staff manual.
• Abide by the mission and values of the Girl Scouts.
• Provide excellent customer service to campers, caregivers, camp visitors, and other staff.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Camp Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Current American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard certification or willingness to complete certification course prior to employment start date.
• Documented lifeguarding experience or very strong swimming skills.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with youth; in an aquatic environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging behavioral situations with youth effectively.
• Desire and ability to work with and relate to campers and staff from diverse backgrounds in an outdoor environment.
• Patience, sense of humor, integrity, and the ability to adapt well to changing situations.
• The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a camp and that work hours are long and irregular.
• Possess the strength and endurance required to succeed in a camp environment.
• Clearance through the Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Check.
• Willingness to prioritize the needs of Girl Scouts of Greater New York and Camp Kaufmann.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior camp experience and/or interest in the outdoors.
• Experience or interest in the Girl Scout program and youth leadership development.

Compensation

• $95 - $110 per diem rate range, based on prior experience and certifications.
• Cost of travel to and from NYC.
• Room and board while at camp.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Good health and the stamina necessary to work in a camp setting.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time while leading programming.
• Ability to perform all lifeguard certification swimming skill requirements:
  • Swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
  • Complete the following timed sequence of events within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

1. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.
2. Surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
3. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping face at or near the surface.
4. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Compensation

• $100 - $150 per diem rate, based on prior experience and certifications.
• Room and board while at camp.
• Cost of travel to/from NYC weekly, plus other off-camp excursion opportunities.

No phone calls, please.

The Girl Scouts of Greater New York are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible.