Weekend Head Lifeguard – Outdoor Education Center

Be the on‑deck leader who keeps our waterfront safe, organized, and welcoming, guiding a team of lifeguards at the YMCA of Montclair’s Outdoor Education Center every weekend.

Job Highlights

Title: Weekend Head Lifeguard Organization: YMCA of Montclair Location: Outdoor Education Center – Montclair, NJ (indoor & outdoor environments) Status: Non‑Exempt Reports to: Weekend Manager Primary Function/Department: Outdoor Education Center Leadership Level: Leader

Top qualifications (2–3+ years aquatics experience):

• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Current YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard certification plus CPR/BLS, AED, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration certifications (or ability to obtain within required timeframes).
• Prior experience as a lifeguard required; leadership or supervisory lifeguard experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to lead a lifeguard team, make sound decisions under pressure, and model YMCA core values in all interactions.

Position Summary

The Weekend Head Lifeguard provides on‑deck leadership and supervision to the lifeguard team to ensure a safe, structured, and professional environment in the pools and waterfront. This role oversees guard rotations, enforces safety standards, supports staff scheduling needs, and serves as the primary point of contact for both staff and members during assigned shifts. The Head Lifeguard helps maintain a positive, efficient work environment while upholding YMCA policies, procedures, and values.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide on‑deck supervision and leadership to lifeguards during assigned weekend shifts.
• Ensure guards maintain vigilant surveillance, follow rotation schedules, and take appropriate breaks.
• Monitor and reinforce cleanliness and readiness of the pool deck, guard stations, and equipment.
• Lead responses to aquatic emergencies and incidents, including water rescues and first aid; complete and submit required documentation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during evening and peak hours for staff and members.
• Coordinate shift coverage and communicate staffing needs to the Weekend Manager in a timely manner.
• Support onboarding, shadowing, and training of new lifeguards to ensure clarity around expectations, safety standards, and YMCA policies.
• Maintain professionalism and model YMCA core values (Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility) in all interactions.
• Adhere to YMCA policies related to boundaries with members, volunteers, staff, and participants.
• Attend required Abuse Risk Management training and follow procedures for managing high‑risk activities and supervising members and participants.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations; follow mandated abuse reporting procedures.

Qualifications

• Age: Minimum 21 years.
• Certifications:
  • Current YMCA Lifeguard or American Red Cross Lifeguard certification.
  • Basic Life Support (CPR), AED, Basic First Aid, and Oxygen Administration certifications.
  • Ability to maintain certification‑level physical and mental readiness.
  • Must maintain all required certifications in active status.
  • Completion of Bloodborne Pathogens training annually.
• Experience:
  • Prior lifeguard experience required.
  • Leadership or supervisory aquatics experience preferred (e.g., senior guard, deck lead, head lifeguard).
• Skills & Attributes:
  • Strong communication and decision‑making skills.
  • Ability to remain calm, think clearly, and direct others effectively during emergencies.
  • Dependable, organized, and team‑oriented, with a strong work ethic.
  • Ability to demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA or ARC standards.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

(With or without reasonable accommodations)

• Ability to pass lifeguard skills assessments and water tests.
• Must be able to remain alert, sit or stand for extended periods, and continuously scan all areas of the pool with clear vision.
• Adequate ability to hear noises and distinguish distress signals.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for water rescue, including swimming, lifting, and carrying.
• Ability to communicate verbally, projecting voice across distance in normal and loud situations.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, including in humidity, heat, cold, wet, and inclement weather conditions.

HOURLY PAY RATE: $22.00

WORK SCHEDULE: Weekend availability required.

Shift Options:

• Morning Shift: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Afternoon Shift: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

LOCATION: 131 Germantown Rd, West Milford, NJ 07480