Lead Lifeguard

Overview

Oversee the safety of member and program participants of the pool areas. Provides leadership to other aquatics team members under the guidance of the Aquatics Director.

Lifeguard Certification 

To be hired for a lifeguard position, applicants should hold a current lifeguard certification from an accredited organization (ASHI, Red Cross, Ellis, etc.) or we can assist you with the certification or recertification process.

Other YMCA employment benefits: 

• Ongoing training and recertification  
• Free YMCA membership to all YMCA centers
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities for career advancemen

OUR CULTURE: 

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. It’s who we are, who we aspire to be and how we show up every day. We are cause-driven. We don’t just show up, we show up with purpose. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Responsibilities

• Continuously scan the pool (every 10 seconds), whirlpool and sauna areas, checking for safe conditions.
• Must maintain high level of alertness at all times
• Staff may be videotaped for safety audit purposes and ongoing training.
• Will be required to complete 2 hours of in-service training a month
• Position may require environment changes (outdoor to indoor, humid environments)
• Will be required to participate in ongoing training that will be held during operational hours (operational mannequin drops, pool safety checks, CPR checks).
• Enforce all posted rules and any other rules that are required to ensure the safety of all participants.
• Must constantly watch the pool and have a rescue tube, whistle, emergency button, and emergency oxygen barrier mask ready and available at all times, actively scanning 10 x 10.
• Make sure that the pool deck is free of clutter and perform all maintenance duties assigned by Aquatic Director.
• Test pool chemical levels and record in chemical logs.  Report changes to Aquatic Director immediately.
• Responsible for opening, closing, and security reports.
• Ensure automatic chlorinator is full, adds chemicals as directed by Aquatics Director.
• Responsible for maintaining the continuity of lap swim and moving participants accordingly.
• Must notify appropriate associate of any unsafe conditions, needed repairs, complaints, accidents, or injuries immediately.
• Ensure pool safety checks and quick checks are completed and documented.
• Fill out all Y accident and incident reports completely and turn into the Aquatics Director.
• Monitor all associates in the pool area, ensuring we have the proper ratios in the pool, lifeguard to swimmers.
• Assist and assign duties for a clean Y, keep hallways and locker rooms picked up.
• Assists and participates in marketing and special events.
• Assists in managing the departmental operations.
• May be asked to lead monthly lifeguard in-service trainings
• May be asked to assist in interviewing, scheduling and supervising qualified associate.
• Assist the Aquatics Director with the new hire orientation for lifeguards.
• May be asked to serve as aquatics person on-call when the Aquatics Director is unavailable.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Minimum one year experience as a certified Lifeguard.
• Perform pass and rescue skills.
• Able to relate and work with diverse groups of people in a friendly and consistent manner.
• Must have a current nationally recognized Lifeguard Certification, such as the following, or be willing to achieve certification:
  • ARC (American Red Cross)
  • YMCA Lifeguard 6th ED
  • Starguard
  • Jeff Ellis and Associates (special facilities or deep water)
  • Boy Scouts of America
• Must have current CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen from one of the following organizations or be willing to achieve certification.
  • American Health and Safety Institute
  • Emergency Care and Safety Institute
  • American Red Cross
• Able to pass a physical competency consisting of the following for Lifeguard certification:
• Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence (without stopping to rest) 
• Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)
• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs 
• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both
• Timed Event
• Must be completed in 1 minute and 40 seconds.
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
• Or be able to pass a physical competency consisting of the following for Shallow Water Lifeguard certification:
• Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs, floating, or a combination of both.
• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
• Timed Event
• Must be completed in 50 seconds.
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and walk or swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.