LIFEGUARD

DEFINITION

Under the direction of a Supervising Lifeguard or other supervisory 
official, protects life and provides for the safety and welfare of persons 
in swimming/bathing areas; does other related duties.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties 
listed in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the 
job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Observes bathers on assigned sections of swimming/bathing areas.

Patrols or monitors swimming areas on foot, in vehicles, or from towers 
to ensure safety and enforce rules and regulations.  

Rescues distressed bathers using buoys, boats, lines, floats, and other 
rescue equipment.

Administers artificial respiration, resuscitation, and first-aid treatment 
prior to the arrival of emergency medical staff.

Cooperates with medical and law enforcement personnel at the scene 
of an emergency

Assists in cleaning the pool and related facilities and equipment.

Monitors weather and water conditions; warns swimmers/bathers 
of hazardous situations.

Warns swimmers of improper activities or danger and enforces 
regulations and water safety policies.

Informs bathers of restrictions in bathing area.

Maintains rescue equipment in preparation for immediate response.

Notifies proper authorities of public disturbances.

Maintains essential records and files.

Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or 
related unit.

REQUIREMENTS:

LICENSE:

Appointees for public recreational bathing areas classified as swimming 
pools or lakes must possess current and valid lifeguard certification 
issued by the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, National 
Pool and Waterpark, Lifeguard Training, the YMCA or other recognized 
organizations.

NOTE:  Appointees for public recreational bathing areas classified as 
ocean, tidal or open water must possess current and valid lifeguard 
certification issued by the United States Lifesaving Association 
(U.S.L.A), South Jersey Chief's Association (S.J.C.A) or other 
recognized organizations.

NOTE:  Applicants must possess current and valid standard first aid 
certification issued by the American Red Cross, the National Safety 
Council or other recognized organizations. For appointees to ocean 
and tidal water areas, certification must include a minimum of 21 hours 
of first aid training not including CPR training.

NOTE:  Applicants must possess current and valid CPR 
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification including adult, child 
and infant CPR as well as obstructed airway training issued by the 
American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the National 
Safety Council or other recognized organizations.

NOTE:  Appointees may also be required to possess current and 
valid AED (automatic external defibrillator) certification.

NOTE:  Appointees may be required to have training in supplemental 
oxygen support for adults, children and infants.

NOTE:  Appointees to ocean and tidal water areas may be required 
to possess basic or higher-level scuba diver certification.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of water rescue methods and techniques.

Knowledge of first aid and life resuscitation (C.P.R.) techniques.

Knowledge of the surveillance methods used to recognize and 
prevent injuries in bathing areas.

Knowledge of water rescue equipment.

Ability to administer first aid.

Ability to maintain rescue equipment.

Ability to enforce swimming regulations.

Ability to swim in accordance with certification standards.

Ability to remain calm during water-rescue operations.

Ability to observe and report hazardous swimming conditions.

Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording information systems used by the agency, office 
or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in 
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American 
Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable 
forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can 
perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable 
accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made because it 
would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not 
be eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
02297
L
N
  
N/A
02
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 8/7/2020