Aquatics

Description:

Schedule: 5:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

Position Summary

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Opening Shift Lifeguard is responsible for safely and properly opening the YMCA’s pool and aquatics areas each morning. This position ensures that all required safety inspections, water-quality checks, and opening procedures are completed before members and program participants enter the pool area. The Lifeguard will maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all members, guests, and program participants.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Reports to work promptly and is prepared to begin opening procedures before the pool opens.
• Properly unlocks, inspects, and opens the pool and aquatics areas according to the Tom A. Finch Community YMCA’s daily opening procedures.
• Completes all required opening safety checks, including inspecting the pool deck, rescue equipment, entrances, locker room access points, and surrounding aquatics areas.
• Checks, records, and monitors pool temperature and water chemistry before opening and throughout the shift as required.
• Immediately reports unsafe water conditions, equipment concerns, facility issues, or other unusual situations to the appropriate supervisor.
• Ensures that the pool area is clean, safe, fully stocked, organized, and ready for members and scheduled programming.
• Communicates and enforces all aquatics rules and guidelines to maintain a safe environment and eliminate unsafe practices and physical hazards.
• Provides active and attentive surveillance of the pool and surrounding aquatics areas at all times.
• Provides excellent customer service to members, guests, and program participants during the early-morning hours.
• Handles and resolves aquatics-related concerns and informs the supervisor of unusual situations or unresolved issues.
• Adheres to the YMCA and Aquatics Department dress code while on duty.
• Remains at the assigned lifeguard post until properly relieved.
• Does not read, use a personal electronic device, visit with friends or other staff members, leave the pool unattended, or enter the pool office while actively guarding.
• Knows and follows all YMCA emergency procedures.
• Responds appropriately to emergencies, administers first aid when necessary, and completes all required incident reports.
• Works independently without constant direct supervision and remains at the assigned post for extended periods.
• Attends all mandatory staff meetings and in-service trainings.
• Maintains all certifications required for the position.
• Demonstrates the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility when interacting with members, guests, program participants, and coworkers.
• Sets a positive example through promptness, professionalism, good judgment, appropriate manners, and dependable attendance.
• Communicates important information, concerns, or incomplete tasks to the next lifeguard or supervisor before leaving the shift.
• Performs other duties and assignments as deemed appropriate by the Director of Aquatics.