Why Your Role Matters
You help make the pool a place where everyone feels safe, welcome, and confident. In this role, your impact goes beyond watching the water. You help members and participants build confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy positive experiences in and around the pool. By creating a supportive environment and promoting safe aquatic practices, you help You help make the pool a place where everyone feels safe, welcome, and confident. In this role, safety is your top priority. Through your attentiveness, sound judgment, and quick response, you help prevent incidents, respond effectively in emergencies, and create an environment where members and participants can enjoy aquatic activities with confidence. Beyond ensuring safety, you help people of all ages build skills, gain confidence in the water, and feel connected to the Y community.
How You Make an Impact
- Proactively monitor pool areas and enforce safety rules to prevent accidents, creating a secure space where members can enjoy the water with confidence.
- React to emergencies with appropriate first aid and CPR, aiming for positive outcomes, ensuring that every member feels safe and supported.
- Identify and resolve potential hazards immediately, preventing accidents and fostering a worry-free environment for all users.
- Regularly inspect pool equipment and facilities, reporting any issues to ensure everything is in working order, which supports a seamless and enjoyable experience for all members.
- Inform members about pool rules and safety procedures, encouraging compliance and helping them feel secure while engaging in water-based activities.
- Help with swim lessons and aquatics programs, playing an active role in members' skill development and contributing to positive program outcomes.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization in the pool area and locker rooms, ensuring a pleasant, hygienic space where members can relax and enjoy their time.
- Attend all required trainings and staff meetings to stay up-to-date with safety procedures and best practices, improving your skills and enhancing your impact.
- Demonstrate YMCA's purpose and values in all interactions, helping to create a culture of respect, care, and community.
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization, sharing the Y's work and culture with members, peers, and guests and fostering a sense of belonging.
- Complete other duties as assigned.
What You Bring to the Y
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard certification, including CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration.
- Previous experience as a lifeguard, swim instructor, competitive swimmer, or swim team participant preferred.
- Strong swimming ability, rescue skills, and physical stamina.
- Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and respond effectively in emergency situations.
- Ability to recognize hazards, enforce pool rules, and maintain a safe aquatic environment.
- Growth Mindset: Learn and improve to better serve members and the mission.
- Team Player: Work collaboratively with others and support a positive team environment.
- Communicates Effectively: Listen actively and communicate clearly with members and peers.
- Customer Focused: Anticipates needs and ensures quality, member-centered service.
- Fosters Belonging: Ensure everyone feels welcomed, respected, and included.
Physical Requirements:
The role requires comfort working in a pool environment, with exposure to water, chlorine, and varying temperatures. Lifeguards must be able to stand, walk, swim, and remain alert for extended periods. The position involves hearing and distinguishing distress signals, visually scanning all areas of the pool, and responding quickly to emergencies. Additionally, it requires lifting and moving equipment, children, and performing other physical tasks related to pool supervision and instruction. Effective verbal communication, including projecting your voice across distances in both normal and noisy conditions, is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.