Opening Lifeguard

Job Title: Lifeguard
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt YMCA Leadership Level: Leader
Reports to: Aquatics Director/Aquatics Shift Supervisor

Our Cause:
The Y is a powerful association of men, women, and children of all ages and from all walks of life
joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a
sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials
needed to learn, grow, and thrive. Anchored in more than 10,000 neighborhoods around the country,
the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical present to not just promise, but deliver,
lasting personal and social change.
In today’s uncertain times, one thing remains certain – the Y is, and always will be, the builder
of healthy, confident, connected, and secure children, families, and communities.
Our Promise:
We are the strongest when we promise to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and
thrive at the Y.
We accomplish that when we value the diversity of everyone’s personal beliefs, respect the rights
to those beliefs, and we expect all to honor our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and
responsibility with one another — everything we do stems from that expectation.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Aquatics Director, the Opening Lifeguard is charged with effectively and safely
supervising the pool environment to prevent drowning and injuries by providing safety instructions,
recognizing, and responding to emergencies, and rendering CPR and first aid in accordance with the
policies established by the YMCA. These policies must be followed within the National YMCA
guidelines

Essential Functions:
1. Maintains rescue readiness at all times. Is in uniform holding a rescue tube with its strap
across chest, wearing sun protection and sunglasses (if outside), and carrying a whistle, a pocket
mask, and gloves. Practices skills frequently to ensure readiness
and confidence to render effective aid when necessary.
2. Always positions to protect entire assigned zone of responsibility. Positions in an elevated
chair or platform or stands or patrols at the edge of the pool so that all parts of the assigned
zone, including the bottom of the pool are visible. Moves to change position when any area of
assigned zone is not visible due to glare or obstruction. Performs a thorough check of assigned
zone before taking position and after being relieved to make sure the bottom of the pool is clear.
3. Is singularly focused and is never distracted by personal or secondary activities. This includes
texting, talking on a cell phone, reading, eating, conversing unnecessarily, moving lane lines,
conducting water quality checks, or cleaning up the deck while on scanning duty. Does not bring any
personal items other than water and sun protection (when necessary) while on active duty.
4. Aggressively scans entire area of responsibility. Is constantly vigilant to all patrons and to
all activity on and below the water’s surface, on the pool bottom and on the pool deck.
5. Constantly enforces non-swimmer protection & other safety rules. Identifies children marked as
non-swimmers or children who have not yet been marked and makes sure that all are in shallow water
and are protected. Takes immediate corrective action when swimmers, even experienced swimmers,
break rules or engage in risky behavior. If warnings are not heeded, notifies manager or other
senior member of staff immediately.
6. Clears the pool if the pool is unsafe. If for any reason, the above five core functions cannot
be fulfilled or if the pool is otherwise unsafe, the lifeguard is expected to blow his or her
whistle and clear the pool until the problem can be corrected.
7. Attends all mandatory in-service training & staff meetings as required.
8. Responsible for finding coverage. If unable to work a shift notify a supervisor via phone call.
9. Performs “off scan” duties as assigned. Example of “off scan” duties include but are not limited
to, performs water chemistry tests as required, correctly documents, and takes appropriate action
based on test results. Documents accidents and incidents completely, accurately and notifies
manager within 24 hours of incident. Helps to keep pool area clean & tidy.
10. Other duties as required.
YMCA Leadership Competencies
Mission Advancement:
• VALUES - Demonstrates in word and action the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and
responsibility and a commitment to the Y’s mission, in all matters at all times.
• COMMUNITY - Delivers the benefits of good health, strong connections, greater self-confidence,
and a sense of security to all who seek it.
Collaboration:
• INCLUSION - Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting
practices that support diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
• RELATIONSHIPS - Builds authentic relationships in the service of enhancing individual and team
performance to support the Y’s work.
• COMMUNICATION - Listens and expresses self effectively and in a manner that reflects a true
understanding of the needs of the audience.
Operational Effectiveness:
• DECISION MAKING – Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to
identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems.
• QUALITY RESULTS - Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to achieving goals in a manner
that provides quality experiences.

Personal Growth:
• SELF DEVELOPMENT - Is dedicated to the improvement of own capabilities and demonstrates this
through the continual expansion of knowledge and skills.
• EMOTIONAL MATURITY - Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills.
• FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a
high level of accomplishment.