Job: Head Lifeguard
Job Description
Job Type: Seasonal, Hourly
Wage: $18-$20/hr.
Location: Grand Junction, CO.
Job Description:
End of season bonus, for those who stay through September 4, 2025
About the Position:
Head lifeguards provide counseling/coaching and support to lifeguards, and function in a leadership role to support the aquatics manager on duty. Head lifeguards also support guest relations and customer service efforts, are responsible for upholding facility policies and procedures, work with lifeguard team members to hone lifesaving skills, and serve as examples for the rest of the aquatics team by cultivating a culture of safety at the pools.
About Grand Junction Parks and Recreation:
Make a difference in your community by working in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Our aquatics team provides aquatic safety for three of the Grand Junction area’s premier aquatic facilities (Lincoln Park-Moyer Pool, Orchard Mesa Pool, and Palisade Community Pool). Join our aquatics team and turn your "day-to-day" into "saved the day"!
About Our Culture:
At the City of Grand Junction, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. Our core values are demonstrated by our willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions.
Duties
What You’ll Do:
Support managers in the supervision of aquatic facilities and staff.
Assist in providing ongoing training and coaching for lifeguard team members.
Effectively delegate assigned tasks to members of the lifeguard and Guest Services Representative teams.
Dress in required GJPR staff uniform while on duty.
Maintain positive rapport and professional image with guests.
Answer questions on available GJPR programs.
Be punctual.
Obtain a substitute when unable to report for scheduled shift.
Attend mandatory staff meetings and relevant in-service trainings.
Provide excellent guest relations and customer service.
Provide support to all aquatics team members.
Support a culture of safety and professionalism.
Perform lifeguard and swim instructor duties.
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
This position is a safety sensitive position, which means you will be subject to random drug screens due to the nature of the work performed.
What We’re Looking For:
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Applicants must be able to successfully pass a drug screen, background check, and, if required for the specific position, a physical examination.
Minimum of 20/25 or 20/25 corrected vision
Current lifeguard license (International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP) license preferred), including CPR/AED, supplemental oxygen, and first aid.
At least one year of lifeguard experience.
Ability to work independently, be a team player, take initiative and have a positive work ethic.
Positive attitude and service leadership orientation.
Working knowledge of principles and practices regarding the safe operation of a public swimming pool.
Provides consistent high-quality service to internal and external customers.
Always puts safety first.
Able to set and achieve goals with a strategy of continuous improvement.
Must be able to maintain flexible work hours and schedules where shifts may be assigned opening, closing, or weekends, depending on the need of the facility.
Comfortable in all depths of water, strong swimming skills are preferred.
Notice to Applicants:
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, we kindly request that you do not include the dates of your education to include years of attendance or graduation on your application, resume or attachments.
Supplemental Information
Applicants must have or be willing to obtain a valid ILTP lifeguard license and complete the VanGUARD Aquatics Leadership Training (offered through the Aquatics Division).
Head Lifeguards can expect to work 35-40 hours/week during the summer season and, if selected, may work approximately 20 hours/week during the fall and winter.
Ellis & Assoc. International Lifeguard Training Program courses are offered through the Parks and Recreation Department at no charge to accepted applicants. Selected applicants must be available for in-person training and complete online training prior to course start dates.
Recertification only course: March 8, 2025
Course #1: March 17 - 21, 2025 - Spring Break
Course #2: March 28 - 30, 2025
Course #3: April 11 - 13, 2025
Additional information on course requirements, dates, and times will be made available during the interview process.
Grand Junction, Colorado is the gateway to the mountains and canyonlands of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Centrally located between Denver, CO (250 miles east) and Salt Lake City, UT (270 miles west), Grand Junction is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land. Residents enjoy world-class whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers, golfing, fishing, skiing and snowboarding, and exploring mountain bike and hiking trails through the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa National Forest. Grand Junction has a robust downtown and hosts multiple art, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of over 150,000 in Mesa County (65,000 within the City limits) we have many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. With an average of 245 days of sunshine, Grand Junction is the perfect place to work and play.
Learn more about our area on Visit Grand Junction's website and Instagram!
At the City of Grand Junction, we proudly operate as an Equal Opportunity Employer, purposely building an inclusive workforce representative of various cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We believe in respect for all and do not discriminate based on hair, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
If you have any questions or need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources office at 970.244.1512.
**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.