Senior Lifeguard

About Hay River:
Hay River, known as the “Hub of the North,” is a vibrant community of about 3,200 people nestled on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Surrounded by boreal forests, pristine beaches, and powerful waterfalls like Alexandra Falls - you’ll find a year-round outdoor paradise. In summer, residents enjoy sandy shores, northern lights, boating, and world-class fishing;

in winter, there is snowshoe along the river, ice-fish, and dogsledding under vivid auroras.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position reports to the Aquatics Supervisor and works to uphold a culture of water safety, fitness, and enjoyment. The Lifeguard is responsible for water safety education, teaching swimming and lifesaving lessons and testing, developing pool activities programming, and ensuring accident prevention and rescue. Maintains the facility to ensure the swimming pool is safe and clean.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintains a culture of safety and enjoyment at the Aquatic Centre. This includes but is not limited to:

• Informs the public of potential hazards near/around water and in the pool area through proper supervision & appropriate information sharing.
• Monitors and enforces safe actions and behaviour near and around the pool by all patrons.
• Promotes safety in and out of the water – at the pool as well as in the great outdoors.
• Performing rescues as required.
• Examines injured persons & administers first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training methods, medical supplies and equipment.
• Performs the role of on-deck supervisor to junior and intermediate lifeguards in the absence of the aquatics supervisor.

Instructs swimming /lifesaving skills to clients of all ages and skill levels:

• Teaches in a manner that is appropriate to the client/group.
• Fills in report cards for kids upon completion of swimming lessons.
• Sets up and instruct lessons and examines for school groups.
• Sets up lifesaving lessons and examines for participants.

Maintains the facility to ensure the swimming pool is safe and clean. This includes but is not limited to:

• Working with the Facilities and Parks Supervisor, Facility Maintainers and Public Works staff as needed to ensure the safety and maintenance of the Don Stewart Aquatic Centre.
• Conducting water chemistry tests and adjust, as required.
• Conducting water sample testing for bacteriology reporting, when required.
• Checking filters and backwash, as needed.
• Checking and changing chemical dispensers.
• Supporting Aquatics Supervisor in monitoring and maintaining supplies inventory required for swim programs, chemicals, first aid & cleaning.
• Ensuring floors, mirrors, counters, sinks, toilets, etc. are cleaned and sanitized in the bathroom as per procedural documents and training provided.
• Cleaning deck, steam room, viewing windows, doors, staff changeroom, supply closet, slide and other areas as per procedural documents and training provided.
• Inspecting facilities daily to ensure safety standards as per NWT Public Pool Regulations.
• Vaccuuming pool as and when required.

Perform other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

The following knowledge, skills and experience are required for an individual to be able to perform the duties of this position:

Education and Experience:

The Lifeguard would normally attain the required knowledge, skills and attitudes through completion of a high school diploma and 1 to 2 years lifeguarding experience, along with certification in the following (equivalencies will be considered):

• Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C.
• National Lifeguard Certification – Pool.
• Swim Instructor / Examiner Certification.
• WHMIS training.
• Fitness Certification / Aqua-fitness Certification would be considered an asset.

Job Knowledge Requirements:

• Knowledge of water chemistry and testing.
• Knowledge of water sampling and bacteriology reporting.
• Knowledge of filtration systems and backwash process.
• Knowledge of WHMIS.
• Knowledge of pool rescue processes.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures training.

Technical Skills & Abilities

• Lifeguarding skills.
• First Aid and CPR.
• Ability to teach swimming programs.
• Ability to teach lifesaving techniques.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Effective communications skills.
• Customer service and public relations skills.
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Supervisory skills.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

• Junior and intermediate lifeguards.