Lifeguard - Otterbein

Countryside YMCA is looking for a dependable, safety-focused Lifeguard to join our team at the Otterbein Senior Life Community pool. This branch has its own rhythm; you'll be working primarily with an older-adult membership base, supervising water aerobics, lap swim, and therapeutic pool programming in a warm, community-centered environment. If you like the idea of getting to know your members by name and being a trusted, familiar face at the pool, this role is a great fit.

As a member of the Y team, you'll help carry out our mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. You'll be the person our swimmers count on to keep the water safe!

What You'll Do

• Keep constant, focused watch over the pool area; no phones, no distractions, eyes on the water.
• Show up in full guard uniform (swimsuit, guard shirt, whistle, rescue tube, towel, and barrier) and ready at your post when your shift starts.
• Spend your shift moving between guard stations, including time in an elevated chair, staying alert and mobile throughout.
• Speak clearly and confidently, whether that's projecting your voice across the pool deck or calmly relaying details to emergency responders by phone or in person.
• Cover your assigned zone independently; you may be the only guard on deck at times, so strong solo judgment matters.
• Stay sharp on emergency response procedures and act immediately using YMCA protocols and the "Safe in Six" model, completing incident paperwork as needed.
• Walk the pool deck at the start of each shift to check for hazards and stay aware of zone-specific risk areas.
• Actively supervise everything happening in the water during open swim, water fitness classes, lessons, and any other scheduled aquatic programs, holding a high safety bar throughout.
• Follow opening and closing procedures precisely, including securing all doors when no guard is on duty.
• Attend staff meetings and required in-service trainings.
• Enforce pool rules and safety guidelines consistently, but always with a courteous and professional tone.
• Build genuine, positive rapport with members and program participants.
• Collaborate well with fellow staff and keep the team dynamic positive.
• Monitor pool chemical levels and equipment function, flagging or correcting issues as needed.
• Pitch in on pool-area cleaning and light maintenance tasks.
• Take on other duties as business needs arise.