Lifeguard Lead (Temporary)

Class Characteristics

Under direction, to lead Lifeguards on duty; to respond to facility and water safety issues, guest questions and concerns, and all types of emergencies; to perform Lifeguard and group learn-to-swim lesson Instructor duties; and to do other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District provides aquatic, park, recreation, education and social services to senior citizens, youth, students and other County residents within the park district boundaries.

Incumbents within the Lifeguard, Lead classification are temporary employees who are responsible for leading Lifeguards, addressing issues brought forward by Lifeguards, ensuring Lifeguards are able to focus on safety scanning responsibilities, and activating and responding to Emergency Action Plan as needed for all types of emergencies.

Lifeguard, Lead differs from Lifeguard which enforces safety rules and regulations of the North Clackamas Aquatic Park (NCAP), performs active surveillance of guests, rescues or aids in the rescue of swimmers in need to help, and administers first-aid as necessary. It also differs from Aquatic Park Shift Coordinator which is responsible for assisting management in the development, coordination, and effective and safe operations of a variety of programs and support services with the NCAP.

Typical Tasks

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Leads the work of assigned Lifeguard staff; trains, instructs, and directs Lifeguards; monitors performance of pool duties and task assignments; ensures performance of responsibilities are in accordance with established safety regulations and guidelines; informs higher level staff of necessary corrective action.
2. Responds and resolves issues brought forward by Lifeguards such as facility and water safety issues and guest questions and concerns; escalates issues/concerns as appropriate to higher level staff.
3. Activates and responds to Emergency Action Plan as needed for all types of emergencies including rescues and hazardous waste clean-up of feces, vomit and blood; ensures Lifeguards are able to return focus to safety scanning responsibilities; for rescues, assists in covering for a Lifeguard during a rescue and then assists with the documenting of the rescue.
4. Ensures water chemical checks are completed and documented by staff on a regular basis; makes water adjustments; conducts chemical checks as needed and documents results.
5. Observes and documents the practicing of skills by Lifeguards which apply toward required hours for Lifeguard re-certification.
6. Performs Lifeguard and group learn-to-swim lesson Instructor duties as needed or assigned, as described in the Lifeguard and Lifeguard/Instructor classifications.
7. Works in a roving position and performs other assignments as needed or as assigned; checks on team members; backs up Lifeguards in a zone that is very busy; assists with rock wall operation, red slide operation, completion of hourly cleaning jobs, lifejacket sizing, regular walk through of the locker rooms, etc.
8. Participates in in-service trainings and practices required skills.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Working knowledge of: Safe swimming rules and regulations; water rescue techniques; safety principles; basic first aid, CPR and AED procedures; basic techniques of supervision; effective communication skills; customer service techniques; basic principles and techniques of swimming instruction, lesson planning, and usage of training equipment.

Skill to: Lead, train and review the work of assigned staff; maintain physical fitness, strength and stamina, demonstrate swimming ability, and ability to tow a person in distress to safety; maintain mental alertness and awareness of patrons and swim lesson participants in and around water; maintain patience, calm and professional demeanor, including during emergencies; provide assistance to guests and participants, including aquatic rescues and CPR; locate and operate emergency equipment, including backboard and AED; apply basic first aid techniques; learn, maintain knowledge and carry out facility-established emergency procedures; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; interact and communicate effectively with a wide variety of age groups, ethnic backgrounds, and personalities; organize and direct activities of assigned swim lesson participants and adapt teaching approach in order to provide quality instruction for all participants; establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and the public.

Working Conditions

The North Clackamas Aquatic Park operates 7 days per week. Positions may be assigned to workday or evening shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Duties require frequent to continuous standing, walking, sitting, stooping, bending, squatting, lifting, climbing, twisting, reaching, balancing, grasping, and fine motor control. Duties also involve prolonged exposure to water, humidity/heat, loud noise, slippery and uneven surfaces, pool chemicals, dust, consistent close contact with participants, and occasionally dealing with distraught or difficult people.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the minimum experience, education, licensure, and/or certifications required for employment in the classification. The following minimum qualifications are established for this classification. Additional minimum qualifications and special conditions may apply to a specific position within this classification and will be stated on the job announcement.

Experience: None required.

Licenses/Certifications: 

• North Clackamas Aquatic Park (NCAP) Swim Instructor certification.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard certification (ARCLG) which includes the ability to extract a rescue manikin/person out of the water and the American Red Cross certifications for CPR, AED, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.
• NCAP deep water swim test certification: continuously swimming 500 yards (200 yards more than ARCLG), retrieve 10 pound brick from 13 feet deep (3 feet further than ARCLG) and bring it to surface, and tread with brick for 1 to 2 minutes to demonstrate control (not required by ARCLG).

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must be fifteen (15) years of age or older at time of hire.
• Must successfully pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Post-Employment Requirements

• Throughout employment, must maintain ability to perform NCAP deep water swim test and tread with brick for 2 minutes.

Classification No. 022T
Temporary Title
Established: 5/94
Classification Established: 6/24
FLSA: Non-exempt
EEO: 8