Lifeguard & Swim Instructor

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. A Lifeguard at the Regional YMCA of Western CT creates a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals while promoting and maintain safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck, and surrounding areas in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Eliminates potential hazards, enforce rules, and promotes sanitary conditions for swimming. Establishes and maintains discipline with respect when carrying out your duties.

• Minimum age of 16
• Certifications: Basic life support or professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration
• Current YMCA Lifeguard or equivalent
• New Employee Orientation including, Child Abuse Prevention, Bloodbourne Pathogens and Sexual Harassment Training
• Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness
• Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA standards
• Show leadership, maturity, and self-control and be a positive role model

1. Maintains active surveillance of the pool area.
2. Knows and reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures; completes related reports as required.
3. Responds to challenges with possible solutions in a timely manner.
4. Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies, and guidelines for the pool and aquatic areas.
5. Remains calm and objective when under pressure or when challenged by others.
6. Maintains accurate records as required by the YMCA and/or the state health department code.
7. Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
8. BE Rescue Ready at all times.
9. Knows the Regional YMCA EAP (Emergency Action Plan) and your part in it.
10. Attends all staff meetings and in-service trainings; maintain rescue skills and abilities.
11. Follows all aquatic procedures and guidelines including those pertaining to health and safety, chemical testing, forms, reports, and staff expectations as required by the YMCA and the state health department code.
12. Maintains cleanliness of the pools and pool decks.
13. While at work conduct yourself in a professional manner.
14. Participates and Supports the Y's Annual Support Campaign

• Inclusion
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making
• Emotional Maturity

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard.
• Medium work demand: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
• See and observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility. Required to have close visual acuity to perform activities, as well as visual acuity to determine neatness, accuracy, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• The worker may be required to work under a variety of physical conditions which may be hazardous such as slippery or wet floors.
• Subject to environmental conditions; protections from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.
• Must be able to:
  • Actively run, jump, swim, and lift a minimum of 1/3 their own body weight.
  • Stand or sit in lifeguard chair for extended periods
  • Consistently flex and rotate head and neck.
  • Occasionally bend, twist, crouch, squat, kneel and climb stairs
  • Occasionally crawl, push, pull, reach, and lift above shoulders.
  • Work on wet ground and slippery surfaces.
  • Use hands in repetitive motion, grasping and fine manipulation of both right and left hands.
  • See and observe all sections of the pool area of responsibility with or without reasonable accommodation