Lifeguard

Aquatic Safety And Supervision

Under general supervision, provides aquatic safety and supervision for patrons; monitors activities in the pool and City aquatic facilities in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons; explains and enforces swimming programs and pool policies, regulations, and rules; performs rescues and administers first aid as necessary; and performs related work as required.

Supervision received and exercised: Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

This classification is responsible for attentively observing swimmers and soliciting the general public's compliance with pool policies and safety guidelines. Incumbents perform the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Essential Functions / Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Examples of typical job functions (illustrative only):

• Provides aquatic safety and supervision for patrons; monitors activities in the pool and facilities to avoid and prevent accidents, and to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons; promotes public safety at all times.
• Acts as lifeguard during pool hours and at all events held at the pool.
• Implements and enforces City policies, rules, and procedures.
• Administers basic first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as necessary.
• Assists and aids in swim lesson programs.
• Listens and responds to patrons' needs for assistance or information and provides the public with general information.
• Supervises and cleans restrooms and locker rooms.
• Inspects and maintains swimming and pool equipment for functionality; recommends maintenance and repair as needed.
• Maintains logs and records of activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Swimming pool and guest safety and emergency procedures.
• Life-guarding skills and methods.
• Emergency care and assessment; CPR, AED, and first aid practices.
• City rules and regulations with respect to pool and patron safety methods.
• Operational characteristics of water rescue safety equipment and devices.
• Basic maintenance and cleaning practices.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Attentively observe and monitor the safety of swimmers and other guests using aquatic center facilities.
• Exercise professional judgment to act effectively in emergency situations.
• Interpret and implement aquatic center policies and practices.
• Work with children and adults in a recreational setting.
• Assist with swim meets and pool rentals.
• Provide courteous assistance to facility patrons.
• Maintain discipline, order, and safety in a crowded and noisy environment.
• Maintain facilities and equipment in a clean, safe, and secure manner.
• Perform work in an efficient, effective, safe, and timely manner.
• Understand and carry out oral instructions.
• Provide courteous assistance to facility patrons.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Experience: Equivalent to the completion of the tenth (10th) grade; (1) year of lifeguard experience in a swimming pool or aquatics facility is preferred.
• Licenses and certifications: Possession of a valid American Red Cross/Lifeguard Training certificate, or equivalent. Must be certified in First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) within one (1) year of employment. Possession of American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Professional Rescuer certificate.

Additional Information

Physical demands: Work is primarily performed within a public swimming pool environment where stamina is needed to perform moderate to heavy lifting of pool equipment and furniture, or children or adults who may require removal from the pool, and to stay in the pool for prolonged periods of time. Must possess the mobility to stand, stoop, kneel, reach, bend, climb, push and pull materials and equipment, and swim, while wearing an appropriate uniform with protective equipment. Vision and hearing which must be sufficient to see and hear adults and children in crowded and noisy conditions situations. Must also possess the mobility to work in an office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or by using a telephone and radio in. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or to operate safety equipment. Must possess the ability to swim distances, and dive to pool depths, as determined by testing/certification authorities, and to lift 100 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

Environmental conditions: Employees work outdoors in a pool environment with wet and slippery conditions and are exposed to variable weather conditions; may be exposed to chlorine, acids, and other chemicals at aquatics facilities, as well as blood and body fluids while rendering first aid and CPR. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Working conditions: May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. E-Verify: The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.