American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor

POSITION SUMMARY:

Teaches lifeguard candidates in preparation for American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. Assists the Director of Aquatics with all duties necessary to provide a safe and effective lifeguard course and aquatic facility. The YMCA will help you register for the instructor course, and provide all materials needed to be successful. Previous lifeguard experience is required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 17 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent

• Current American Red Cross lifeguard certification 

• Attends initial training and in-service training for lifeguard instructors.

• At least 2 years experience in lifeguarding

• Proficient in swimming and safety skills

• Must demonstrate qualities of a leader and be able to complete tasks with minimal supervision

• Must be observant, safety conscious, and able to react calmly and quickly to an emergency

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Maintain American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Certification every 2 years

• Bloodborne Pathogens/Child Abuse Prevention every year

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure the safety of all class participants at all times

• Organize and set up all equipment necessary to run a successful course

• Provide high-quality, thorough instruction to participants

• Ability to easily communicate course material in an understandable manner

• Respond to emergencies and provide appropriate care as needed

• Equipment inventory, cleaning, and re-stocking

• Instructs and evaluates group lifeguard course participants in level-appropriate skills.

• Maintains an attentive lookout for potential accidents in the swimming pool and surrounding facility and appropriately checks any problems.

• Notifies the Aquatics Director in the event of an emergency or other issues.

• Assures accident/injury, incident and rescue reports are documented.

• Ensure students complete test outs per training and guidelines through American Red Cross Lifeguarding.

• Assist with planning and instructing at mandatory staff meetings and training.

• Complete additional duties assigned by supervisors.

• Conduct aquatics drills as outlined by the Aquatics Director.

• Evaluate aquatics staff performance and provide feedback to the Aquatics Director.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

• Influence: Employs influence strategies that engage, inspire, and build commitment to position and overall Y goals

• Communication: Listens and expresses ideas effectively and in a manner that reflects a true understanding of the needs of the audience

• Decision Making: Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems

• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills

  
  

  PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be mentally alert to dangerous situations to assure all swimmers' safety.

• Physically and mentally able to respond to emergencies and administer CPR, Oxygen, and First Aid effectively. 

• Physical mobility to properly use aquatic equipment to rescue a 200 lb. person

• Must be able to stand and sit for an extended period of time physically.

• Physically able to see, hear, and communicate clearly and be able to hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment

• Able to read, write, and perform basic math to complete daily chemical logs.

• Swim with proficiency and endurance for possible rescues. 

• Must communicate clearly with members and staff using Listen First skills.

  
  

  GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • This position does have the availability to teach other lower-level American Red Cross Courses in the format of both public and private courses.

  • Instructors will teach classes to the general public who are registered for our classes.

  • Part-time position, weekends required.

  • Lifeguard courses mostly require consecutive, Saturday and Sunday instruction.

  • Each day of instruction can last from 8-10 hours.