JOB TITLE: LAKE ERIE LIFEGUARD, DCNR

JOB CODE: 20091

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Lifeguard job series describes public safety work in ensuring the safety of swimmers and other visitors to swimming areas in state parks operated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

DEFINITION: This is public safety work patrolling, directing, and monitoring activities in a beach swimming area along Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park.

An employee in this job maintains order and minimizes risks to swimmers and other visitors to Presque Isle State Park from accidents or drownings. Work involves recognizing when swimmers are in distress or need assistance and rescuing them using accepted lifesaving techniques; administering first aid, artificial respiration, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including adult, infant, and child CPR, to injured park visitors; searching for drowning victims from a boat using recovery techniques; operating an ambulance to transport injured visitors to hospitals or first aid centers; and enforcing compliance with park rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures. Work includes ensuring, through regular inspections and maintenance, the proper operating condition of buoys, floats, ropes, first aid equipment and supplies, and other safety equipment; inspecting swimming areas to verify they are safe for public use; preparing and submitting reports and documents; and performing incidental maintenance and custodial duties at a swimming area to ensure it is safe for public use. Work is assigned in the form of oral or written instructions from a Lake Erie Lifeguard Supervisor or a Lake Erie Lifeguard Manager. Work is reviewed in progress and through completed reports and documents for adherence to established rules, regulations, and guidelines.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Patrols, directs, and monitors activities from a station on shore at a beach swimming area along Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park.

• Recognizes when swimmers are in distress or need assistance and rescues them using accepted lifesaving techniques.

• Searches for drowning victims from a boat using recovery techniques and equipment.

• Operates an ambulance to transport injured park visitors to hospitals or first aid centers.

• Administers emergency first aid, artificial respiration, and CPR to adults, infants, and children.

• Enforces all rules and regulations and follows prescribed guidelines and procedures related to use of park swimming areas.

• Inspects buoys, floats, ropes, first aid equipment and supplies, and other safety equipment to ensure proper operating conditions.

• Inspects swimming areas to verify they are safe for public use.

• Prepares and submits written reports and documents outlining swimming conditions, activities, and incidents.

• Participates in training sessions to review or learn lifesaving and water safety practices, methods, and techniques; and to renew required swimming, first aid, and CPR certifications.

• Performs incidental maintenance and custodial duties along Lake Erie swimming areas to ensure they are safe for public use.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of accepted lifesaving methods and techniques.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of water safety.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of first aid.

• Ability to swim proficiently.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to interpret and follow oral and written information.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Ability to administer first aid, artificial respiration, and CPR, including adult, infant, and child CPR, to injured park visitors.

• Ability to recognize when swimmers are in distress or need assistance and to use accepted lifesaving methods and techniques to rescue them.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All employees must obtain a valid Lifeguard Certification issued by the American Red Cross, YMCA, United States Lifesaving Association, or other authority recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Health within 14 days of employment.

• All employees must obtain valid certifications in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR within 14 days of employment.

• Certain positions require possession of a valid motor vehicle license.