Lifeguard (Temporary)

Class Characteristics

Under direction, to enforce safety rules and regulations of the North Clackamas Aquatic Park; to ensure the safety of guests through active surveillance; to rescue or aid in rescuing any swimmer who is in need of help; to administer first-aid as necessary; 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 classification are temporary employees who are responsible to protect the life and wellbeing of each person using the North Clackamas Aquatic Park (NCAP). Lifeguards enforce and ensure the safety of guests, perform rescues, and administer first-aid. Incumbents also maintain the cleanliness and general appearance of the pool and pool decks, and perform water chemical checks. NCAP provides cross-training opportunities. Training opportunities are available for other jobs within NCAP to Lifeguard incumbents.

The Lifeguard differs from Lifeguard, Lead which trains, instructs and directs Lifeguards. Lifeguard also differs from Lifeguard/Instructor which, in addition to Lifeguard duties, teaches age group learn to swim lessons similar to the Instructor-Swim classification.

Typical Tasks

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Ensures the safety of the public and guests through active surveillance, visual and auditory, by identifying potential safety hazards in the shallow and deep water* pool environment and intervening to prevent accidents and minimize or eliminate hazardous conditions.
2. Explains and enforces safety rules and regulations of the NCAP; refers ongoing issues to higher level staff.
3. Rescues or aids in rescuing any swimmer in shallow and deep water* pool areas who is in need of help.
4. Administers first aid as necessary.
5. Prepares accident, incident, and rescue reports as needed.
6. Inspects lifesaving equipment; makes necessary repairs or alerts higher level staff of needed repairs.
7. Maintains cleanliness and general appearance of the pool and pool decks; performs basic pool cleaning such as pool vacuuming and hosing; checks parking lot, facility stairs and tower, and locker rooms; picks up litter; disinfects decks, locker rooms, etc.
8. Conducts water chemical checks and documents results.
9. Assists at the front desk as needed; greets the public; provides information and assistance regarding schedules, registration, program descriptions and other general information over the phone and in person.
10. 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; effective communication skills; customer service techniques.

Skill to: 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 in and around water in order to identify and respond to emergency situations; 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; establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and the public.

Working Conditions

The North Clackamas Aquatic Park operates 7 days per week which requires staffing of lifeguards, as assigned, for all shifts. 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, 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: 

• 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.
• North Clackamas Aquatic Park (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

• After one (1) month of hire, perform NCAP deep water* swim test and tread with brick for 2 minutes.
• Throughout employment, must maintain ability to perform NCAP deep water* swim test and tread with brick for 2 minutes.

*Exception to requirements for ARCLG and NCAP deep water swim test and deep water responsibilities: Per an employee’s abilities/constraints, exceptions may be made by NCAP Management to allow substitution of ARC Shallow Water Lifeguard (ARCSWLG) and NCAP shallow water swim test and no deep water responsibilities.

Classification No. 021T
Temporary Title Established: 5/94
Classification Established: 6/24
FLSA: Non-Exempt
EEO: 8