Greater Green Bay YMCA·Green Bay, Wisconsin
The Aquatic Staff is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of participants in and around the aquatic facility, enforcing safety procedures, and maintaining a welcoming environment. This role involves carrying out duties as a lifeguard and swim instructor, potentially leading on the pool deck while building participant confidence and swimming skills.
JOB SUMMARY Keep our members and guests safe in a fun, values-based environment at the Y. As a Full Time Aquatic Staff, you will be responsible for the safety and well-being of participants in aquatics activities in and around the aquatic facility. You will welcome members by creating an inclusive atmosphere and be ready to respond in any situation. You will help build confidence, self-esteem, and swimming skills and water safety in people of all ages through individual (private lessons) or group classes. The Full Time Aquatic Staff will carry out the duties of a lifeguard, swim instructor, and may serve as a leader on the pool deck. Employment Type: Full-time (35+ hours per week, eligible for the Y's full benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance and retirement) **$500 Sign on Bonus! OUR CULTURE 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. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Foster an environment and culture that supports our mission, values, and guiding principles.
Provide a safe and inviting environment for members and program participants.
Enforce prescribed safety procedures and rules of good behavior and courtesy.
Maintain a professional appearance. Greet all pool participants in a friendly manner.
Be vigilant in scanning techniques by avoiding activities that will take your eyes off the pool (socializing, reading, studying, sleeping, phone usage, etc.).
Check chemical readings only when pool is empty or at shift change.
Do not leave the deck unattended for any reason while on shift.
Know and follow the center Emergency Action Plan.
Assist first responders as needed in rescue situations.
Keep pool area neat and free of clutter.
Follow pool opening and closing checklists provided at each center.
Maintain required paperwork including chemical readings, accident reports, and patron usage forms.
Actively participate in required staff trainings and meetings. Maintain required certifications.
Act according to facility protocol to ensure safety of all staff and children which includes:
Adhere to policies related to boundaries with staff and children.
Attend required abuse risk management training.
Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
Provide direct service to the Aquatic Department as assigned by the Aquatic Director, Aquatic Manager, Head Coach, or Senior Aquatic Director
Skills and training
This position requires a background in an aquatic and/or recreation environment.
Must demonstrate commitment to the Ys cause and mission.
Must demonstrate ability to build relationships and deliver an exceptional experience.
Previous swim instruction and work with special need populations are beneficial.
YMCA or Red Cross Lifeguarding certification (which includes CPR/First Aid and AED certification) is required within the first sixty days of employment (training provided).
Obtain Lifeguard Instructor certification within 6 months.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Ongoing evaluation of physical demands of the position will happen monthly. Must be able to swim 200 yards (using front crawl and breaststroke), tread water for 2 minutes, demonstrate rescue skills, and retrieve the brick from the bottom of the deep pool (exception for East Side and West Side center only). Must be able to lift 50 pounds in order to help pull a person on a backboard out of the water. COMPETENCIES
Building Relationships: Create sustainable relationships within the Y. Assist members in becoming more connected to the Y and build small communities while ensuring the safety of patrons by effectively scanning the pool.
Emotional Maturity: How we understand and conduct ourselves impacts our relationships. Demonstrate ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
Advancing Our Mission and Cause: As a member of a cause driven organization you will support the Y, its members, participants, and staff by living the Y’s values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in all interactions and aspects of job performance and demonstrate the desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.
Safety: Utilize Lifeguard training to assertively lead other staff in emergency situations according to the Emergency Action Plan. Adhere to an enforce safety policies and procedures.
Critical Thinking and Decision Making: You are empowered to make informed decisions within the scope of delivering exceptional customer service. Make these decisions based on logic, experience, and sound judgement while maintaining participant safety.
Communication and Influence: Listen and express self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires and builds commitment to the Y’s cause and ensures understanding of pool rules in a respectful manner.
Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes and active role in promoting practices that support diversity and inclusion.
This job description represents the major functions of the job but is not intended to be all inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for performing other duties as necessary for Association success.
Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mission and possess the ability to build relationships and deliver exceptional experiences, ideally with prior aquatic or recreation background. Required certifications include YMCA or Red Cross Lifeguarding (with CPR/First Aid/AED) within sixty days, and Lifeguard Instructor certification within six months.
Market context
In Wisconsin, full-time aquatic staff roles often draw steady interest because facilities need reliable coverage, safety oversight, and strong member service. These positions can be competitive when employers look for prior aquatic or recreation experience plus current YMCA or Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then confirm your certifications are current before applying.
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