Head Lifeguard

Statement of Duties

Under the direction of the Pool Manager and/or Assistant Pool Manager, the Head Lifeguard in the Parks and Recreation Department provides supervision for Lifeguards, monitors activities at pool, and functions as a Lifeguard as needed. The Head Lifeguard may participate in scheduling and assigning Lifeguard duties. While on duty, gives instructions in pool operating procedures, rules, safety practices, maintenance, and related matters.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Closely monitors activities related to the pool area, identifying any safety issues throughout shift. 
• Supervises swimming activities at the aquatics facility and ensures that policies, guidelines, and safety procedures are followed. 
• Warns swimmers of improper activities or danger and enforces pool regulations and water safety policies. Ensures strict adherence to pool rules and water safety guidelines.  
• Responds to emergencies and rescues swimmers in distress or in danger of drowning. 
• Administers first aid in the event of injury and administers CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary. 
• Inspects pool facilities, equipment, and water to ensure that they are safe and usable. 
• Assists Certified Pool Operator in testing pool chemicals to assist in maintaining water chemistry. 
• Oversees Lifeguard staff and creates daily Lifeguard rotation schedules.
• Under the direction of the Pool Manager/Assistant Pool Manager conducts swimming lessons, as needed. 
• Document all accidents/incidents in proper form and report to the Pool Manager and or Assistant pool Manager immediately.
• Other related duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience : 1-3 years of experience as a Lifeguard and interacting with people of various ages with diverse backgrounds; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Certifications: First Aid/AED.
Required: American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard certification (or similar).

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Knowledge of proper swimming techniques and water safety rules. Knowledge of CPR and water rescue methods and techniques.

Ability: Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Ability to provide lifesaving rescue. Ability to work professionally with public members, volunteers and staff. Ability to oversee Lifeguard staff during shift and provide guidance. Ability to answer any enquiries from public.

Skill: Highly skilled in the application of lifeguarding surveillance and rescue techniques. Excellent conflict resolution and communication skills. Multilingual skills in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, and/or Nepali is preferred but not required.

Work Environment

Covers work that requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain or standing or walking most of the work period.  Occasionally, work may require lifting heavy objects and carrying them.  There may be a need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials.  Usually, the work will require extended physical effort over a significant portion of the workday.

Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills
Sitting, standing, walking, climbing/ladders, squatting/kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, twisting/bending, lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs. multiple times per shift, talking, hearing, and seeing.

Motor Skills
Duties are both mental and physical; the job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Visual Skills
Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Hours: Part-Time/Seasonal
Salary: $22.00 - $32.00 hourly based on experience; no benefits
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: March 13, 2024

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The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or [email protected].

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.