Lifeguard Lead

OUR STATEMENT
The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

TIMPANY CENTER'S MISSION
To provide, through multi-agency involvement and San Jose State University student service learning, inclusive aquatic and land-based activities that target the promotion of physical health and wellness in individuals with disabilities, obesity, and/or advanced age from the greater Santa Clara County community. The Santa Clara County-owned facility has been operated since 2009 by the SJSU College of Applied Sciences and Arts Department of Kinesiology that utilizes the SJSU Research Foundation for assistance with fiscal and administrative management.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION
We are seeking a responsible, proactive, and team-oriented lead lifeguard to support daily operations at our indoor warm-water pool serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, and adapted populations. This role ensures a safe, inclusive, and welcoming aquatic environment while leading and supporting the lifeguard team. Duties include supervising and assisting lifeguards, performing lifeguard duties on deck, and helping facilitate training and certification sessions.
Under the direction of the program and operations director, the lead lifeguard supports the Timpany Center's mission, policies, and programs while providing hands-on leadership, contributing to daily operations, and promoting a safe and supportive pool environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Perform lifeguard duties, monitoring pool activity to ensure patron safety, with particular attention to seniors and individuals with physical or cognitive challenges, and enforcing facility rules in a fair and respectful manner.
2. Respond to emergencies and provide rescues, first aid, and CPR as required.
3. Serve as the on-deck lead lifeguard, providing guidance and support to staff, assisting with scheduling and shift coverage, and filling in during absences or emergencies.
4. Greet and assist members on the pool deck, including helping individuals enter and exit the pool and supporting the use of wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.
5. Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of the aquatics facility and equipment.
6. Support onboarding, training, and ongoing development of lifeguard staff, including participation in in-service trainings and certification maintenance.
7. Serve as a friendly, knowledgeable point of contact while supporting adapted swim lessons, therapeutic sessions, and aquatic fitness classes, including setup and breakdown of equipment such as lane lines.
8. Other duties as assigned.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
* Reports directly to the aquatics supervisor.
* Collaborates and coordinates with other TC staff, including but not limited to, lifeguards, swim lesson instructors, aquatic fitness instructors, reception staff, interns, volunteers, managers and directors.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None, although the lifeguard lead will provide guidance and support to the lifeguard team to ensure smooth daily operations and uphold the highest safety standards.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
* High school diploma or equivalent (minimum)
* Lifeguard certification (American Red Cross Preferred) required
* Lifeguard Instructor Certification preferred at time of hire; required within 6 months of employment
* Previous lifeguard experience (2-3 years) demonstrating strong skills and knowledge of pool safety and rescue techniques.
* Experience in leadership or supervisory role within a lifeguard team or aquatic facility preferred.
* Experience conducting or assisting with training and certification sessions for lifeguards preferred.
* Experience working with diverse populations (older adults, individuals with disabilities).

Knowledge Skills and Abilities
* Knowledge and ability to evaluate water conditions to determine any potential dangers or hazards.
* Knowledge of on-site aquatic protocols, operational procedures, and safety policies.
* Swimming proficiency.
* Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment with multiple tasks and deliverables.
* Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills: must be able to articulate, respond to, address, and resolve queries from all clients, internal and external, with tact and diplomacy.
* Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organization and with outside agents, interns, clients, and vendors.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Must be available to work some evenings and weekend hours. While the role requires a full-time commitment we prefer candidates who are available mostly during the afternoon and evening hours to better align with our operational needs.

Physical Demands

* Able to lift 45 pounds safely and stand for an extended period of time.
* Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
* Maintain an appropriate level of fitness in order to competently perform all job-related tasks.
* Must be able to lift, maneuver, and manipulate members in the event of an emergency.
* The physical environment requires the employee to work inside in warm, wet conditions.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is considered a "sensitive" position by SJSURF and California State University (CSU) policy. Consequently, the successful candidate must undergo and successfully complete the Live Scan (fingerprinting) background check as a condition of their employment. This background check must be completed before the actual start of employment.

NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

Compensation Range:

BENEFITS
The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).

• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.

• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.

• 14 paid federal & state holidays.

• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.

• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.

• Employee discounts.

• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as recruitment, selection, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees and applicants for employment or services are not subjected to discrimination. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. This policy is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and reaffirms the Research Foundation's continuing commitment to both the spirit and intent of equal employment opportunity laws and policies.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Learn more about our organizations EEO and AAP policy by visiting our website HERE. Data metrics on the AAP is available for review upon request. Please also visit OFCCP for additional resources: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

If you have any questions or need assistance or an accommodation in completing this application, please contact Research Foundation HR at (408) 924-5582.

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