Recreation Associate (Lifeguard)

Directorate: Community and Wellbeing

Service: Leisure and Amenities

Service Unit: Leisure

Location: Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex

Reports To: Duty Manager / Operations Officer / Assistant Manager

Salary Scale: Scale 4 SCP 812

Car User Status: Casual

Purpose and Function of the Post

Committing to the one-team ethos, you will be flexible and collaborative, and you will actively support all colleagues and other activities necessary to deliver the leisure service objectives. As a Recreation Associate (Lifeguard), you will implement the Council's safe systems of operations relating to the Pools Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP). You will maintain the safety of all users in the Council's swimming pools as a key priority, and it is therefore imperative that you are motivated, qualified, vigilant, and responsible when carrying out your role and responsibilities on poolside.

You will be responsible for the delivery of safe working practices and will be expected to undertake a wide range of duties across a range of leisure facilities and activities, ensuring service delivery is achieved to specified standards with a quality leisure experience being offered to all our customers. You will work within the centre, ensuring customer safety and high standards of service and customer care at all times.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform dedicated lifeguarding duties and provide emergency reaction care when needed throughout the facility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers.
• Provide supervision of swimming pools to ensure customer safety at all times by preventing accidents and incidents and by taking the appropriate action in the event of these occurring.
• Increase memberships and sales across the aquatic programme.
• Maintain National Pool Lifeguard Qualifications (NPLQ) as part of integrated staff training sessions, linked to the centre's Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP) manual, ensuring staff remain highly motivated and qualified.
• Perform any duties required to ensure that the programme of activities and bookings across the facilities, both indoor and outdoor, operates in a smooth, efficient, safe, and timely manner and in the best interests of the user.
• Engage with customers in the centre and provide excellent customer care by assisting customers and members with their personal requirements within the complex.
• Contribute to the development, promotion, and delivery of centre-based activities, particularly dry-side and aquatic activities within the centre, as appropriate to training and qualifications.
• Keep abreast of industry trends and developments to ensure provision for a wide range of customers, from children to senior citizens.
• Undertake cleaning and housekeeping duties to ensure the highest possible standards of cleanliness, maintenance, and presentation are maintained at all times, including deep cleaning using commercial floor cleaning machines.
• Check and maintain records of cleaning and housekeeping stock levels, maintain supply rooms, and notify management of any deficiencies or repairs required.
• Assist with the induction of new staff and work placement students by providing instruction, mentoring, and shadowing as required.
• Help ensure the highest standards of Health and Safety for customers and colleagues, ensuring all relevant statutory and Council policies and requirements are complied with.
• Undertake equipment maintenance checks, logging and reporting defects or hazardous situations as required.
• Perform all duties in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures, relevant legislation, and Council policies.
• Assist with and participate in the achievement of applicable quality assurance awards.
• Ensure quality standards, customer care procedures, work instructions, and record keeping are followed and maintained.
• Provide supervision of dry-side activities to ensure customer safety at all times by preventing accidents and incidents and taking the appropriate action when required.
• Perform the role of First Aider by providing immediate emergency lifesaving medical care.
• In the event of a fire or other emergency, work as part of a team to clear the building, assist with evacuations, and provide assistance to the emergency services where required.
• Maintain the general upkeep of the outside areas of the centre, including litter picking, emptying and replacing bins, maintaining recycling bins, and setting up and moving equipment as required.
• Lead the setting up and taking down of equipment and provide stewardship and supervision of special events.
• Be prepared to work outside normal opening times as dictated by special events.
• Monitor customer use within the centre and ensure unsafe practices are promptly addressed or reported as appropriate.
• Assist with reception duties, including acting as a point of contact for information and advice, and maintaining databases and records in accordance with GDPR and data protection guidelines.
• Perform all duties in a professional, friendly, and caring manner to ensure a high standard of customer care and enjoyment at all times.
• Actively promote all services in a positive manner to manage customer retention, meet expectations, and encourage repeat business.
• Assist with dealing with anti-social behaviour.
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post, including interchange of duties to cover leave, sickness, employee vacancies, and working within other sections of Leisure or the Council.

Please note: Employees must remain on site for the duration of all breaks, which may be interrupted due to the requirements of the service. Paid meal breaks are normally 30 minutes in duration.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ).

Desirable

• Recognised academic qualification associated with the leisure industry.
• Recognised First Aid qualification.
• Customer Care or Welcome Host certificate.
• Recognised IT qualification (e.g. CLAIT II or ECDL).

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working in a customer-focused environment.

Desirable

• Previous relevant experience in the leisure industry.
• Previous experience of reception duties within a similar environment.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Must be prepared to work on a rota system, including days, evenings, weekends (Saturday and Sunday), and public holidays.
• Must consent to a pre-employment Enhanced with Barred List Access NI check.
• Due to safeguarding requirements associated with this role, all applicants must be over 18 years of age.
• Must agree to a pool test as part of the recruitment selection process.
• Undertake any training required to deliver a high-level service experience and ensure qualifications are kept up to date in line with personal development and the needs of the service.

The selection panel reserves the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria to facilitate the process when necessary.