TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RIPOSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Lifeguard
DEPARTMENT: Beach
REPORTS TO: Lifeguard Manager, Deputy Beach Manager or Beach Manager
SUPERVISES: N/A
JOB TYPE: Seasonal – starts Saturday before Memorial Day thru Labor Day
WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned, based on department needs. Weekends/Evenings required.
SALARY: In accordance with established Pay Scale
POSITION SUMMARY: The lifeguard is a seasonal position with the Town of Middletown responsible for maintaining surveillance and safety over a section of beach from an assigned station in the protection of life and prevention of accidents. The lifeguard performs surf rescues, providing emergency medical care as needed, and performs other related work as required.
ALL APPLICANTS will be required to perform a State required endurance Swim of 450 yards in under 10 minutes. The endurance swim is completed between March 1, 2025, and the date the individual attends the Rhode Island State Certification Test – previously referred to as RI State Surf Test Certification. All applicants will be required to complete the RI State Certification Test. Details and Test dates will be provided during the applicant’s interview.
I ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, or it addresses operational needs, safety requirements, and changing lifeguard practices:
- Responsible for maintaining constant surveillance over an assigned section of the beach, surf and sand area in order to protect life and prevent accidents.
- Project an approachable and professional image in personal appearance, manner, and demeanor.
- Utilizes swimming, running, paddling, rowing, and water lifesaving skills to perform water rescues using rescue torpedo, surf rescue board, kayak, and surf boat.
- Administer basic first aid for minor injuries and provide first responder emergency medical care to beach patrons including initial patient assessment, trauma stabilization, and CPR as needed.
- Proactively seeks and maintains the safety of beach patrons, staff and the general public at all times.
- Provides general assistance, information, and instruction to beach patrons regarding beach, water and other related public safety issues including those related to animals, and alcohol use, among others.
- To receive, respond to, and/or resolve questions, inquiries and complaints from the beach patrons and bring them to the attention of, and/or directs the beach patrons to appropriate supervisor or manager.
- Assists in beach cleanliness at all times, disposing of surf and beach trash specifically in area of lifeguard towers.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Assist with pre-season beach operations and preparation as needed.
II NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the position and/or to be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties:
- Proficiency in use of general lifeguard rescue equipment, including rescue torpedoes, rescue paddle boards, fins, and surf boats.
- Knowledge and competency of basic First Aid applying medical care at the Basic Life Support level, including CPR terminology and technique.
- Maintains personal physical endurance and agility in areas of swimming, running, paddling, rowing.
- Use of rescue communication terminology and techniques, such as whistle signals, and radio equipment.
- Understanding of daily ocean, weather, surf, beach and environmental conditions as related to patron safety.
- Requires ability to alertly observe and analyze public safety situations, determine appropriate course of action, responding and remaining calm in emergency situations
- Participate in educational courses and training in lifeguarding techniques and equipment, medical aid and a variety of other subjects related to lifeguarding.
- Must possess excellent customer service skills.
- Familiarity with Town ordinances, municipal codes, and ordinances regarding use of beaches, and applicable federal and state laws, including state boating laws.
III MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Must possess proper RI State SURF certification and maintain it as a condition of employment.
- Must possess current American Red Cross (or accredited institution) Lifeguard Training, First Aid, and CPR/AED certification and maintain it as a condition of employment.
- Must be able to swim, run, paddle rescue boards, row, and perform other strength and endurance training on a daily routine.
- Must possess a valid Driver’s License in order to operate beach rescue vehicles as needed. High School students without a Driver's License may still apply.
- Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public.
- Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, understand and follow oral and written instructions
- Must possess problem-solving skills.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality of customer service.
- Must be available to work on evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary.
- Must successfully pass a background investigation.
IV PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to swim, sit, stand, walk, run, talk, hear, use their hands and fingers, to handle or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms; is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
- If hired all lifeguards will be required to perform, at separate dates and times, a continuous 500-yard swim and a continuous one mile run before the start of the beach opening. Location of run and swim to be determined.
V EQUIPMENT USED:
- Rescue torpedo, surf rescue board, kayak, rescue boat, whistles, two-way radios, 800 MHz radio, 4 wheel drive vehicle (gator)
The Town of Middletown is an Equal Opportunity Employer
