Lifeguard 1 | Aquatics | Community Development

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future-famously powered by the nation's first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City," the first of its kind in the United States.

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga's workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you'd like to call Chattanooga home - or maybe you already do! - and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we'd love to talk to you.

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Salary: $16.72 - $18.11 per hour (GS.03N)

Work Hours: Monday- Saturday (EST), up to 25 hours per week maximum.

• Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: Various Locations

FLSA Status: This is a Part-Time Non-Exempt position.

Department: Community Development- Aquatics

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:

Supervise the pool facilities with priority given to the safety of patrons. Have the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary to help prevent and respond to emergencies, complete reports and required maintenance. Must be comfortable working independently with minimal supervision.

SERIES LEVEL:

This is the first position in a three part series.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Participate in pre-season training and orientations. Attend staff meetings (as assigned). Complete a minimum of four hours of in-service training every month.

Be familiar with the aquatic division policies and procedures manual- Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area.

Must have a thorough understanding of all EAP (emergency action plans) for all incidents in pools such as missing swimmer, active shooter, fight, weather and drowning emergency.

Maintain or improve your current level of swimming fitness -must be able to meet the certification requirement and demonstrate lifeguard skills at any time during employment. Failure to do so will result in reduced hours until skills have been passed.(as needed).

Supervise pool patrons while in and out of the water, Maintains active surveillance of the pool area.

Evaluates potentially dangerous situations, responds to all emergencies immediately, performs the appropriate required rescue for the situation and provides proper first aid as needed, (daily).

Complete reports as necessary-all rescues must be documented and recorded on the rescue map. Communicates any problems and/or concerns to supervisor staff on hand.

Maintenance and cleaning of pool area: i.e. hosing of locker areas, deck, hallways, empty trash, pick up trash, as outlined on daily maintenance log. Report facility maintenance needs to supervisor, (daily) Examines the playing surface before every game to ensure safe playing conditions; use appropriate signals and mechanics; Report unsafe conditions to supervisor, (daily) Inspects sporting equipment and/or examine participants in order to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.

Pick up the deck after programs and keep the pool area free of clutter and debris, break down the activity area and put equipment up at the end of games if needed.

Work non-standard hours and substitute as needed, (frequently).

Establish and maintain effective relations with patrons and fellow employees, Maintain a high level of sportsmanship, and penalize unsporting behavior(daily).

Be familiar with pool programs and schedules and answer all inquiries by the public requested, (daily) Communicate with other sporting officials, coaches, facility managers, subordinates or the public by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person in order to provide information, coordinate activities and discuss problems.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least 15 years old. Possess effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to understand and follow through with directions.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

The incumbent must have a current American Red Cross, YMCA, or Ellis current lifeguard certification, enrolled in a class or the ability to obtain a valid lifeguard certification prior to the employee employment start date.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend written material. Ability to write. Ability to listen and apply information and instructions. Ability to understand mathematical concepts and to include basic math. Ability to see possible dangerous situations and quickly respond to those situations. Ability to operate pool cleaning equipment, test kits, use rescue equipment.

MACHINES/TOOLS/EQUIPMENT:

Vacuum pumps, hand tools, cleaning equipment, rescue equipment, spine-board, lane ropes, first aid kit, instructional equipment, handicap chair lift.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Positions in this class typically require sight, hearing, speech, walking, stooping/bending, standing, sitting, reaching, coordination, manual dexterity, climbing, mental alertness. Sight-seeing well enough to locate possible hazards in and around the pool. Hearing-hear well enough to determine sounds of distress. Speech-speak well enough in a loud voice to communicate hazards and dangerous conditions to others, communicate with patrons. Walking-frequently walking around the pool area. Stooping and bending-frequently during maintenance duties and instructing swim lessons. Stand/sit-frequently sitting or standing to supervise pools and facilities. Reaching-frequently when using rescue techniques. Coordination-frequently to swim and perform water rescue techniques. Manual dexterity-frequently performing routine maintenance and filling out records and forms. Climbing-frequently being able to climb pool ladders, entering and exiting pool and lifeguard stands. Mental alertness-frequently observing /scanning the pool area while sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Swimming proficiency- must be able to swim the lifeguard prerequisite swim at all times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Inside/ Outside work Cold/heat: humid air, temperature 87-98 degrees. Noise/vibration: exposed to excessive noise of swimmers, machinery. Hazards: moderate exposure to pool chemicals and blood borne pathogens. Cold/heat (wet/dry): adverse weather conditions possible, long exposure to sun. Noise/vibration: exposed to excessive noise.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: Y

Department of Transportation- CDL: N

Child Sensitive: Y

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / drug screening / lift test.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 3.26.25

260729 KS/KM