The City of Grande Prairie is a vibrant, growing community located in the beautiful Peace Country region of Alberta. We are committed to providing exceptional public service and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Grande Prairie is a great place to live, work, and play.
Our Recreation Department is looking for a dedicated Lifeguard I to join the team.
Position Responsibilities
The Lifeguard I role involves monitoring the safety of patrons, preventing harm or injury to both staff and the public, and providing instruction for swim lessons and introductory lifeguard programs. The position emphasizes ensuring the well-being of patrons through education and training. Responsibilities include performing in-water rescues and providing medical support when needed. Lifeguard I also plays a key role in maintaining efficient, safe operations, adhering to aquatic procedures, and ensuring a clean work environment. Additionally, Lifeguard I staff may serve as mentors to other staff, offering guidance on on-deck shift operations and customer service.
- Supervise and support Junior Lifeguards and Aquatic Assistants, providing coaching, guidance, and real-time oversight.
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Act as the primary on-deck liaison with Guest Services and Aquatic Leadership for operational coordination.
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Lead and implement inclement weather protocols (e.g., lightning closures, elevated AQHI) and other emergency response procedures (ERPs).
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Ensure compliance with lifeguard-to-patron ratios and municipal aquatic safety regulations.
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Respond to and manage complex incidents, including administering first aid, performing rescues, and providing CPR or artificial respiration.
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Conduct incident documentation, witness statements, and reporting in coordination with management.
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Deliver swim instruction and water safety coaching for varying skill levels, including mentoring Junior Lifeguards.
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Monitor and enforce pool rules, addressing unsafe behaviors, conflict resolution, and public interactions.
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Support programming oversight, including public swim, lessons, rentals, and special events.
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Identify staffing or operational gaps and escalate concerns to Aquatic Leadership for timely resolution.
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Maintain high standards of customer service and positive public engagement.
Qualifications
- Current Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor Award.
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Current Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard Award.
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Current Standard First Aid.
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Ability to respond to emergencies and deescalate situations.
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Ability to adapt and work within changing situations.
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Ability to apply innovative thinking to problem-solving.
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Ability to work shift work, including evenings and weekends.
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Leadership Experience.
- Basic computer knowledge.
- Ability to make decisions and select a course of action.
- Must be reliable and punctual.
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Effective communication skills.
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Clean criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check, is required. Must work well with others.
Hours
The standard workweek consists of an average of 20-35 hours, with the specific schedule being determined by the immediate supervisor.
Compensation
Starting salary $27.66 per hour as per the CUPE Collective Agreement.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package. What We Offer | City of Grande Prairie (cityofgp.com)
Diversity & Inclusion
The City of Grande Prairie is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive work environment composed of individuals with unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and contributions who welcome, support, respect and value all members of the community.
Selection Process
We appreciate your interest in our organization, and we thank you in advance for your application. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified via phone or email.
1. To apply for this position, please utilize the "Apply Now" tab on this web page to submit your comprehensive cover letter and up-to-date resume.
2. Our application review process includes a thorough evaluation of all submissions. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview scheduling.
- This posting will be open until a suitable candidate(s) is/are found.
- This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in this position.
- This posting may be used to fill more than one position.
Note: After submitting your application and uploading your resume, you should expect to receive an email confirmation indicating that your application for this position has been successfully submitted. If you receive this email, there is no need for any additional contact with us regarding this position.
To efficiently manage the high volume of applications we receive for each job posting, we are unable to address job-specific inquiries prior to the interview stage. However, if you progress to the job interview stage, we will gladly answer any questions you may have.
