POSITION DESCRIPTION:  WATERFRONT/AQUATICS SPECIALIST – LIFEGUARD, for seasonal summer camp 

Reports to: The position generally would report to the Lifeguard supervisor or the Executive Director of the Latvian Center Garezers.

Position Purpose:  

To further the mission of the camp by providing supervision and ensuring a safe environment at the camp’s waterfront activities. Maintain the physical operation of the waterfront facilities and equipment.

Qualifications: (Minimum Education and Experience) 

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Current certification in lifeguard training or equivalent.
• Current certification in first aid and CPR. Advanced certification may be required based on camp location and site of delivery of aquatic programs.
• Prior desirable experience at a waterfront similar to the camp’s.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Training and experience in waterfront activities that are offered at the camp.
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors in the water.

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Evaluate aquatics abilities of campers and staff.
2. Supervise and monitor all waterfront activities
3. Provide surveillance during aquatic activities to help prevent and to manage injuries.
4. Provide rescues as needed.
5. Utilize first aid and CPR and other emergency management procedures as needed.
6. Understand and implement appropriate response to changes in water conditions or weather conditions affecting the waterfront.
7. Set- up the waterfront and beach house pre-season and inspect and inventory equipment.
8. Conduct daily check of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
9. Clean and maintain waterfront area daily keeping it free of hazards and debris.
10. Ensure campers and staff follow safety procedures and assist in the delivery and supervision of all water activities and special events at the waterfront.

Other Job Duties: 

• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned.
• Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions.
• Assist in the planning of any special events on or near the waterfront.

Teamwork and communication: 

Lifeguards often have direct communication with the program directors and counseling staff and may actually serve as a counselor with a camper group when not on duty at the waterfront. Most often the health care and emergency plan outlines the relationship between the health care staff and the waterfront staff for emergency management and care. 

Equipment Used: 

Identify the specific equipment, facilities, and watercraft utilized at the camp which may be the responsibility of this position. Note the size of the craft, type of waterfront and related hazards. 

Physical Aspects of the Job 

• Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Ability to observe staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

Physical requirements:  

Physical ability to respond to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

Some physical requirements of a lifeguard position could be endurance, including prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, and stretching. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate waterfront equipment and waterfront activities. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Willingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular hours delivering program in the facility available. Operate with daily exposure to the sun and heat and varying water conditions.