Job Description

Benefit type: benefited and non benefited

Benefits available: For a full description of our benefits, please click here.

Lifeguards are vital first responder roles for the community and the full-time position can be more than a job. Being a lifeguard can be part of a great career with one of the top park and recreation agencies in the U.S.

About the Job:

Lifeguards are crucial to ensuring safety for swim activities at the Juniper Swim & Fitness Center and Larkspur Community Center. As part of the professional lifeguard team, lifeguards provide for the safety and enjoyment of BPRD guests by anticipating, recognizing, responding to and managing emergency situations.

The Lifeguard 2 is the journey level in the Lifeguard series. The Lifeguard 2 is distinguished from the Lifeguard 1 by providing leadership, guidance and support to Lifeguard 1 staff on assigned shifts, serving as deck supervisor and assisting the Aquatic Supervisor with onboarding, in-service trainings, observations, and drills.

A Day in the Life:

• Anticipate and recognize potential emergencies by maintaining the 10/20 Protection Rule (responding to someone in trouble within 10 seconds and reach the person in 20 seconds)
• Manage emergencies according to StarGuard and BPRD protocols.
• Enforce facility and public health rules and regulations.
• Maintain lifeguard certification including attending monthly in-service training.
• Assist with program needs and pool set up.
• Perform cleaning, maintenance and organization tasks. Serves as locker room attendant.
• Communicate with patrons and staff in a courteous and professional manner.
• Participate in district-wide special events as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Expectations for Lifeguard 2:

• Provides leadership, guidance and support to Lifeguard 1 staff on regularly assigned shifts. May include both in-rotation and deck lead assignments.
• Assists Facility Shift Lead (FSL) in assigning specific shift duties including rotations, zone coverages, pool transitions, cleaning and organizational tasks, facility monitoring duties and breaks.
• Leads and/or assists with lifeguard in-service trainings.
• Conducts lifeguard observations and rescue and recognition drills.
• Educate guests and ensure compliance with pool, facility and public health rules.
• Work regular schedule of assigned shifts totaling at least 20 hours per week.
• Regularly attend in-service training and lead training once per month.
• Demonstrate excellent role modeling in lifeguarding and good decision making.
• Be available within reason to fill in or work other assignments that complement regular schedule.
• Request no more than 4-weeks off per summer / school year subject to supervisor approval.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

What You'll Need for Success:

LIFEGUARD 1

Strong Knowledge of:

• Basic pool rules and safety

Ability and skill to:

• Complete lifeguard certification and maintain rescue ready competency;
• Follow directions, procedures and protocols;
• Operate as a part of team; effectively communicate with people of all ages and abilities;
• Handle stressful working conditions and emergencies;
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful and cooperative relationships with all contacts.

LIFEGUARD 2

Strong Knowledge of:

• StarGuard lifeguard curriculum and procedures
• Pool safety requirements;
• Rule enforcement and behavior managements;
• And emergency action plans.

Ability and skill to:

• Maintain lifeguard certification and rescue ready competency;
• Follow and implement directions, procedures and protocols;
• Effectively lead and motivate others;
• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills;
• Effectively communicate with people of all ages and abilities;
• Handle stressful working conditions and emergencies;
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful and cooperative relationships with all contacts.

What We're Looking For:

Experience, Education, and Training:

LIFEGUARD 1 (starting wage $19.02- $21.68)

1. Must be 16 years of age OR 15 years of age with BPRD JR Lifeguard program; AND
2. Currently attending high school; AND
3. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training

LIFEGUARD 2 (starting wage $20.57- $23.45)

1. Must be 16 years of age; AND
2. Currently attending high school; AND
3. At least one year of consistent lifeguarding experience with BPRD or equivalent verifiable experience elsewhere; OR
4. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training including higher-level medical or safety certifications (e.g., EMT, WSI, advanced first aid).

Certification:

1. Current Starguard Lifeguard Certification
2. Current Starguard Deck Supervision training or ability to complete within 30-days of start date.

Additional Information:

Working Conditions:

Duties may be performed either indoors or outdoors, which may include working in extreme weather conditions (warm and humid indoor conditions to cool outdoor conditions) and ongoing exposure to sun and pool chemicals such as chlorine. Work schedule is varied requires evenings, weekends and holidays. Hours vary depending upon specific program needs. The flow of work and character of duties involve a high degree of mental and visual attention much or all of the time. Physical exertion includes frequent walking, bending and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted, pushing, pulling and kneeling in order to conduct extractions and deliver basic first aid/life support and to deliver and move equipment and supplies. Job stress may include dealing with crowds, uncooperative participants, difficult individuals, emergency response, exposure to illness and periods of continuous demand.

Supervision Exercised:

For Lifeguard 1s, supervision is not a responsibility of this position.

For Lifeguard 2s, supervision is not a responsibility of this position; however, provides guidance to Lifeguard 1 staff.

Supervision Received:

Lifeguard 1s work under the general supervision of the Aquatic Supervisor for Lifeguards. Receives ongoing and specific direction from Facility Shift Lead and Lifeguard 2.

Lifeguard 2s work under the general supervision of the Aquatic Supervisor. Receive ongoing and specific direction from the Facility Shift Lead.

Selection Process:

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. An offer of employment is contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by Bend Park & Recreation District policies, including a background check and a driving history review when driving is required for position.

Veteran Preference Status

Under Oregon law, veterans who meet minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for employment preference. To qualify for veterans’ preference, you must submit required documentation prior to the closing date of the recruitment. Veterans’ preference cannot be awarded without required documentation. Beginning January 1, 2026, certain preferences will also apply to current and former members of the Oregon National Guard. For more information on if you qualify for veterans’ preference visit https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/veterans-preference.aspx

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Bend Park and Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bend Park & Recreation District Core Competencies:

All positions with Bend Park and Recreation District are subject to district and position competencies. Below is a list of the most critical competencies for this position. Additional competencies are required for the position and may change based on district needs. A complete list of the competencies is available from Human Resources.

Accountability • Customer Service Orientation • Safety • Judgment and Decision Making • Teamwork and Cooperation • Results Orientation •