LIFEGUARD

Salary: $18.40 Hourly
Location : Recreation Dept. (Main - 109 W Second Ave), Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 01785
Department: Recreation
Division: Parks & Cultural Svcs/Athletics
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Definition of Work
The purpose of this class within the organization is to provide public water safety and recreational work by supervising and enforcing regulations at aquatic facilities. The Lifeguard is responsible for the health and safety of patrons in attendance in an aquatic environment. This protection is both preventive as well as corrective. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Recreation Manager.

Essential Functions/Duties


Task% of TimePrevents accidents and minimizes or eliminates hazardous situations.10Renders First Aid as needed, including administering CPR and using an AED.5Observes and enforces all rules and regulations of the assigned facility.30Educates the patrons and informs them of the purpose of and the need for rules and regulations.5Identifies and assists patrons having difficulty.5Responds quickly to all emergency situations in the water and performs water rescues.5Completes all required records and reports on schedule and submits them to the proper person.10Performs periodical chemical checks on the pool water.5Performs various pool maintenance functions such as brushing pool sides, policing pool area, vacuuming pool, etc.5Interacts and communicates with the public and other employees in a courteous and professional manner.10Checks and maintains the cleanliness of the locker room, offices, building, and surrounding grounds.5Other tasks as required.5

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to understand and follow written departmental policies and procedures;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, participants, interested groups, and the general public;
• Knowledge of basic principles and techniques of lifeguarding, CPR and first aid methods, including rescuer methods;
• Knowledge of health and safety standards and methods for keeping water and surrounding areas safe for public use;
• Knowledgeable of applicable safety precautions and procedures related to the aquatic facility.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Lifeguard and/or prior aquatics experience is desirable, including working with children or youth. Current American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR/AED certifications by time of hire.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 16 years of age.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

1. The physical activity of this position includes:

A. Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

B. Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

C. Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

D. Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

E. Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

F. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

G. Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

H. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

I. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

J. Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

K. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

L. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

M. Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

N. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

O . Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.

P. Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
2. The physical requirements of this position:

A. Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:

A. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following. (Check all of the following which apply): preparing and analyzing data and figures; accounting; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

A. Theworker is subject to inside environmental conditions; Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

B. The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.

C. The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

D. The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

E. The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

F. The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

Drug screening and criminal background check required.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H
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