Lifeguard

Position Summary

Be the reason someone feels safe in the water. As a YMCA Lifeguard, you’ll protect swimmers, prevent accidents, and create a positive, welcoming space for members and visitors. Don’t have certification yet? No problem — we provide free training and lifeguard certification
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Become a Lifeguard AND Swim Lesson Instructor, earn $15/hr let us know in your application if you are interested in both positions.

No Prior Experience Required.

• Free training and lifeguard certification
• Ongoing training and recertification
• Free YMCA membership to all YMCA centers
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities for career advancement

Our culture reflects the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s mission and core values. We are cause-driven, welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined – we show up with purpose and support each other to become catalysts in the community.

• Continuously scan the pool (every 10 seconds), whirlpool and sauna areas, checking for safe conditions.
• Maintain high level of alertness at all times.
• Staff may be videotaped for safety audit purposes and ongoing training.
• Complete 2 hours of in‑service training a month.
• Environment may change (outdoor to indoor, humid environments).
• Participate in ongoing training during operational hours (operational mannequin drops, pool safety checks, CPR checks).
• Enforce all posted rules and any other rules required to ensure the safety of all participants.
• Constantly watch the pool and keep rescue tube, whistle, emergency button, and supplemental oxygen barrier mask ready. Actively scan 10 x 10 and never perform secondary duties in place of scanning your zone of protection.
• Ensure the pool deck is free of clutter and perform all maintenance duties assigned by Aquatic Director.
• Test pool chemical levels and report changes to Aquatics Director immediately.
• Fill out all Y accident and incident reports completely and submit to Aquatics Director.
• Responsible for opening and closing procedures.
• Maintain the continuity of lap swim and move participants accordingly.
• Be a team player with all staff.
• Notify appropriate staff of any unsafe conditions, needed repairs, complaints, accidents, or injuries immediately.

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• National CPR, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen, and Lifeguard or Shallow Water certification. Don’t have certification yet? No problem — we provide free training and certification!
• Perform pass and rescue skills.
• Able to work with diverse groups of people in a friendly and consistent manner.
• Able to pass a physical competency consisting of the following:
  • 300‑yard swim continuous demonstration of breath control and rhythmic breathing (front crawl or breaststroke; back or side swimming is not allowed). Swim goggles may be used.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; hands should be placed under the armpits.
  • Timed event (must be completed in 1 minute and 40 seconds):
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (face may be in or out of the water; swim goggles not allowed).
    • Surface dive feet‑first or head‑first to a depth of 7‑10 feet to retrieve a 10‑pound object.
    • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to start point, holding the object, keeping face near surface (no underwater swimming).
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Location:

Overland Park, KS

Salary: $15.00–$16.00 per hour