Head Lifeguard

Work where you play!
Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks' mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You'll Love it Here
Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you'll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. On top of that, you'll wake each day knowing that you're helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
Position Information
Under the direction of an assigned Aquatic Coordinator, this position is responsible for overseeing the daily operation, supervision of aquatic staff and administrative duties at an assigned aquatic facility in the absence of the Coordinator.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

• Provide leadership to the aquatic staff, ensure they are meeting essential job functions and provide feedback as needed.
• Keep Supervisor updated with regular status reports.
• Ensure safe swimming conditions in the pool(s), on the pool deck and in the surrounding areas
• Maintain a positive environment which promotes member safety and engagement, youth development and healthy living in accordance with MPT standards, policies and procedures.
• Organize, implement and administer assigned programs and activities.
• Administer program policies and procedures for program operation.
• Maintain accurate and timely reports and records.
• Assist in recruiting and training of part-time staff.
• Monitor and evaluate programs/activities and provide feedback as appropriate.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding supplies, equipment, safety issues, and personnel matters.
• Supervise collection and accounting of fees.
• Open and close the facility.
• Take responsibility for the conduct and/or dismissal patrons who are acting inappropriately (i.e., disobeying a directive or rule, jeopardizing the safety or pleasure of others).
• Report suspicious behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and patrons.
• Assist in the development of staff schedules.
• Perform chemical operations as needed.
• Provide Lifeguard breaks and rotations.
• Lifeguard as needed and meet Lifeguard standards
• Perform emergency care as required and according to established guidelines
• Inspect life-saving equipment daily and make necessary repairs.
• Maintain order and enforce established rules.
• Maintain a level of physical fitness to effectively execute a water rescue.
• Adhere to MPT Aquatic Standards.
• Attend monthly in-service training
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must have at least 2 years of related experience in the Aquatic field.
• Current American Red Cross or YMCA Lifeguard training certification. Instructor-level certification preferred.
• Current BLS or Professional Rescuer CPR certification.
• Current First Aid certification.
• Ability to pass department swim test.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, evenings and holidays.

Find out about upcoming certification classes
HOURS:
29 hours or less per week
ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and Outdoor pools
Constant interruptions.
Emergency medical situations.
ABILITIES:
Have an exceptional sense of responsibility and mental alertness.
Possess a high level of emotional maturity
Sight to read and prepare records and reports.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information and provide assistance.
Standing for extended periods of time.
Carrying, pushing or pulling
Kneeling or crouching
HAZARDS:
Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.
Working around open areas of water.
METRO PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource at hr@tacomaparks.com.
Employment is subject to a national background check.
This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement. Employment Type: Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less