JOB TITLE: LIFEGUARD, DCNR

JOB CODE: 20094

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 swimming area at a state park.

An employee in this job maintains order and minimizes risks to swimmers and other park visitors 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; and ensuring 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 to ensure swimming areas are safe for public use. Work may also include participating in the operation of a swimming pool by reading meters, recording readings, reporting the need for chemicals and adjustments, and reporting breakdowns to supervisors. Work is assigned in the form of oral or written instructions from an administrative supervisor. 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 at a swimming area using boats or stations on the shore or water.

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

• 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.

• Participates in the operation of a swimming pool by reading meters and recording information, reporting the need for chemicals and adjustments, and reporting malfunctions or breakdowns to supervisors.

• Performs incidental maintenance and custodial duties at a swimming area to ensure it is 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.

• Knowledge of the practices of basic swimming pool operations, including reading and reporting meter and chemical measurements, and inspecting pool mechanisms and equipment.

• Ability to swim proficiently.

• 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 while maintaining personal safety in the water.

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.