Water Safety Instructor - Town of Duxbury

Statement of Duties:  This position is responsible for serving as a Swim Lesson Instructor at the town swimming pool, the operation and cleanliness of the pool and the adjoining facility in a safe and effective manner; teach swimming lessons, collects fees, responding to customer inquiries and providing information pertaining to the operation of the pool as necessary. Attend training programs in order to maintain certification requirements of the position.

Supervision Required:   Under general supervision of the Aquatic Supervisors, the employee is familiar with the work routine and carries out recurring assignments independently with specific instruction. The supervisor provides additional, specific instruction for new, difficult or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods. The employee is expected to recognize instances which are out of the ordinary and which do not fall within existing instructions; the employee is then expected to seek advice and further instructions. Supervisor reviews and checks of the employee’s work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Confidentiality: Employee may have access to confidential information in accordance with the State Public Records and HIPAA Patient Confidentiality Laws.

Accountability: Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, monetary loss, legal repercussions, labor/material costs and danger to public health/safety.

Judgment:  Numerous standardized practices, procedures, or general instructions govern the work and in some cases, may require additional interpretation. Judgment is needed to locate, select and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation or guideline.

Complexity: The work consists of a variety of duties which generally follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary may according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation.

Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of an indoor pool facility, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours.

Nature and Purpose of Public Contact: Relationships with co-workers and the public involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. Other regular contacts are with service recipients and employees of outside organizations such as vendors doing business with the department. More than ordinary courtesy, tact, and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with hostile, uncooperative or uninformed persons.

Occupational Risk:  Duties of the job present little potential for injury.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Opens pool and/or closes it down, depending on schedule and hours.
2. Monitors pool-related activities closely throughout shift and identifies any safety issues.
3. Directs swimmers out of the pool if necessary in hazardous conditions.
4. Provides swimming lessons and swim team coaching when available.
5. Maintains a clean environment in and around the pool and surrounding areas.
6. Provides assistance to patrons when appropriate or necessary.
7. Responsible for maintenance, either manually or by computer, of departmental records.
8. Collects money for the department.
9. Assists the public, other town departments and vendors by furnishing a variety of routine information and assistance and resolving minor problems and complaints.
10. Answers the telephone and takes messages; directs calls to appropriate person.
11. Assists in filling out forms and applications.
12. Collects fees and/or fines and maintain associated records.
13. May assist in the development of notices, flyers, brochures and other information materials about programs and services.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Knowledge of water safety practices, recreation and leisure activities and ability to relate to youth/adolescents and their families. Basic knowledge of pool chemistry and daily operational requirements to ensure that the pool functions in an efficient, cost effective manner, and that services ensure public safety. Proficient oral and written communication skills. Effective time management and customer service skills. Ability to develop effective and constructive working relationships with adults of all ages, children/adolescents and service providers.  Must be physically fit in order to participate in department-sponsored activities or programs or have any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.          

Special Requirements:   Must be at least age 15 (fifteen) years old. Must possess the following certifications: First Aid, and CPR with AED. Must have or acquire Swim Lesson Instructor Training provided by The Percy Walker Pool. Must be able to pass a pre-employment CORI/SORI and background screenings.                                                               

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge:  Common policies, practices and procedures of the department and office operations; laws and regulations pertinent to position functions.

Abilities:  Ability to interact effectively and appropriately with the public and other personnel, perform multiple tasks and maintain confidential information.

Skills:  Water safety and recreation, written and oral communication skills.

Physical and Mental Requirements

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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Demands:  Moderate physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves swimming, reaching, standing, lifting, sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, squatting and running.

Motor Skills:  Duties are largely mental and physical, but the job may occasionally require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment.

Visual Demands:  Visual demands include constantly scanning the pool and pool deck for safety purposes.