Join the YMCA of Springfield as a Lifeguard and help create a safe, positive, and welcoming environment for all who enjoy our pools. As part of a mission-driven team, you’ll protect lives, build community connections, and support our commitment to inclusion and member well-being. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact while developing your skills, we’d love to have you on deck. This position is available at locations including the Downtown Branch, Kerasotes Branch, and Lincoln Branch.

This is an evergreen role, meaning we are always accepting applications for this position due to ongoing hiring needs.

• Maintains active surveillance of the pool area: rescue ready in uniform wearing whistle and rescue tube. 
• Knows/reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Completes related reports as required. 
• Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants and other staff. 
• Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area. Maintains accurate records as required by the Springfield YMCA and Illinois Department of Public Health. 
• Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed. 
• Checks the pool for hazardous conditions when arriving. 
• Performs cleaning duties when not guarding, as required. 
• Attends all staff meetings and in-service trainings. Employee will recert in BLS or BFA to make-up absence. 
• Knows/reviews the latest version of the YMCA of Springfield Lifeguard Manual. 

The YMCA of Springfield Model Aquatic Policy and Lifeguard Manual outline additional functions and expectations for certification and as applicable supervision for Lifeguards Level 1 – 4.

OUR SERVICE EXPECTATIONS: 

• Display a friendly, helpful and positive disposition. 
• Provide customer service that is thorough, timely, organized and accurate.  
• Help ensure the Y is meeting member and participant needs by utilizing good listening skills, attentiveness, objectivity and patience in all situations. 
• Place members and participants as the first and highest priority showing kindness and compassion at all times.  
• Demonstrates the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through all daily activities and responsibilities 

Child Abuse Policies & Prevention: The YMCA enforces policies to prevent child abuse. Allegations or suspicions are taken seriously and reported to authorities. Procedures include unscheduled visits, open doors for parents, and a code of conduct for staff. We screen carefully to prevent abusers from being hired and provide child abuse prevention training to staff. Employees who fail to support these policies will be subject to discipline, up to termination. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Minimum age of 16. 
• Certifications: CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, Basic First Aid and Emergency Oxygen.   
• Current YMCA Lifeguard or equivalent. 
• Ability to maintain certification-level of physical and mental readiness. 
• Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with Springfield YMCA Standards. 
• Ability to learn quickly. 
• Ability to work with integrity, discretion and a professional approach. 
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). 
• Ability to complete all required trainings within 60 days of employment, including but not limited to CPR, first aid, Living Our Cause, DCFS Mandated Report, IL Gateway Registry Modules and to maintain these certifications as current as outlined by regulations or requirements. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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. 

• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate. Be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.  

• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.  

• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations ability to act swiftly in an emergency.  

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. 

• May require physical effort while reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, balancing, bending, leaning, kneeling, walking and climbing. 

• Specifically, 

• Walking up and down stairs multiple times a day. 

• Carrying supplies to and from work locations, normally lifting less than 25lbs. 

• In an emergency required to lift/exit a victim according to standards of Lifeguard certification.                                                                                                     

• The noise level in the work environment is usually High.  

• Free 1 Parent Family Membership
• 8% Retirement for Vested Employees
• Paid Leave for All

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.