SEASONAL BEACH OCEAN LIFEGUARD

SALARY: $17.00 per hour

SECTION I - JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY:

Beach Safety Lifeguards will guard their assigned area of responsibility, implement preventative lifeguarding practices and respond to emergencies in the water and on land. Lifeguards will educate beach-goers about beach safety, beach ordinances and monitor beach activities to maintain public safety. Lifeguards will communicate with other Beach Safety and Parks and Recreation personal regularly.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Primary responsibility is to help ensure patron safety and protect lives by monitoring activities in and near the water through effective patron surveillance.
• Prevent injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors.
• Enforce park rules and regulations and educate beach-goers about them.
• Recognize and respond quickly and effectively to all emergencies.
• Administer first aid and CPR or use an AED in an emergency when necessary.
• Work as a team with other lifeguards, park staff and management.
• Demonstrate Lifeguard professionalism.
• Exhibit maturity in all situations.
• Be reliable, courteous and consistent.
• Have a positive attitude.
• Be healthy and fit; participate in workouts.
• Perform secondary duties as assigned, such as cleaning or performing maintenance of equipment, complete records or reports in an accurate or timely fashion and perform safety checks and inspections.
• Attend all regularly scheduled trainings and meetings.
• Will be responsible for placing appropriate colored flags in accordance with water conditions.
• Lifeguards will perform other duties as assigned.

SECTION II - JOB REQUREMENTS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be at least16 years old.
• Must have strong swimming ability; must pass (500 meters in less than 9 minute) swim tests.
• Must pass drug screen.
• Obtain criminal background check clearance.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS:

1. USLA Open Water Lifeguard
2. American Red Cross or American Heart Association Professional CPR/AED
3. American Red Cross or Ellis and Associates Lifeguard, Open Water or Waterfront Lifeguard
4. First Aid

Training and certification will be provided to hired applicants; Lifeguards must be able to pass certification courses. Lifeguards will need to pay for the cost of the provided certification course.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Lifeguards must take responsibility to help protect the lives of people in a variety of aquatic activities. Must maintain a high level of knowledge and skills for being a professional rescuer. Will have the legal responsibility to act in an emergency. Will need to develop skills for effective communication with the public. Must be willing to be a leader as well as a good team member. Will need to demonstrate maturity, professionalism and competence in specialized rescue techniques. Ability to communicate effectively is a must, preferred in both English and Spanish. Lifeguard must have the ability to work in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

SECTION III - JOB DIMENSIONS

CONTACTS:

Lifeguard reports directly to Beach Safety Coordinator. Communicates with Local, State and Federal law enforcement entities, other Emergency Medical Service providers, other park system staff and the general public.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Lifeguard will maintain cohesive team interaction on a daily basis. Maintain professional relationships in both the internal work environment with co-workers and external work environment with the public and public agencies. The Cameron County Beach Safety Lifeguard should be able to exhibit professionalism and respond appropriately in highly stressful/emergency situations. Lifeguard staff must carry out written and verbal instructions. Beach Safety staff will be responsible for keeping flag advisory system updated.

WORKING CONDITION:

Work Schedule:

• Work full time hours during the season which is from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Must be able to work the major holidays including Easter, Holy Week, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.
• Fill shifts as needed.

Work Environment:

• Outdoor weather conditions - wet, hot, humid, cold, windy conditions outside.
• Vibration - to both hands/wrists/arms from handle bars when driving or riding the water rescue crafts.
• Moderate to loud noise levels - from people, cars, boats, sirens, etc.
• Will be required to safely use and maintain equipment.

Physical Demands:

Subject to sitting, walking, standing, bending, reaching and twisting to perform the essential job functions. Physical requirements may include heavy lifting/carrying, over 50 lbs. Regular workouts and swimming is required.

Sensory Requirements:

• VISUAL
  1. Identify and distinguish colors for warning flags, buoys, glare from sun, etc.
  2. Maintain visual control over area of responsibility, while observing peripheral objects.
  3. Ability to perform constant visual scanning of water.
  4. Judge distances and spatial relationships.
• HEARING
  1. Distinguish sounds of very low volume or at low or high sound extremes.
  2. Distinguish "normal" sounds versus calls for distress.
  3. Listen for changes in weather.
• TOUCH
  1. Distinguish textures through touch while swimming in the water.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER