Recreation Associate (Lifeguard)

Job Title: Recreation Associate (Lifeguard) Directorate: Community and Wellbeing Service: Leisure and Amenities Service Unit: Leisure Location: Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Comple Reports to: Duty Manager/ Operations Officer/ Assistant Manager Salary Scale: Scale 4 SCP 8 – 12 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 Councils safe systems of operations relating to the Pools Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP). You will maintain the safety of all users in Councils swimming pools as a key priority, and it is therefore imperative you will be motivated, qualified, vigilant and responsible when dispensing your role and responsibility on poolside. You will be responsible for the delivery of safe working practices and 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. The role will involve supervision of specific activities including Lifeguarding the swimming pools, supervising the Spa and dry side areas, maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction and cleanliness and the safe handling, and set up of equipment. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Perform dedicated lifeguarding duties and to provide emergency reaction care when needed throughout the facility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers. Provide supervision of swimming pools to always ensure customer safety, by preventing accidents and incidents and by taking the appropriate action in the event of these occurring. Recreation Associates are tasked with increasing memberships and sales across the aquatic programme. Maintain National Pool Lifeguard Qualifications (NPLQ) as part of integrated staff training sessions, linked to the centres Pool Safety Operating Procedures manual (PSOP), thus ensuring staff are 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 particular dry side and aquatic activities within the centre as appropriate to training and qualifications. Keeping abreast of industry trends and direction to ensure provision for a wide range of customers ranging from children to senior citizens. Undertake any cleaning and housekeeping duties as required to ensure that the highest possible standards of cleanliness, maintenance and presentation are always maintained, including deep cleaning as required using commercial floor cleaning machines. Check and maintain records of cleaning and housekeeping stock levels and maintain supply rooms and ensure management are notified of any deficiencies or repairs required. To assist with the induction of new staff and work placement students by providing instruction, mentoring, and shadowing on occasion as required. Help ensure the highest standards of Health and Safety for both customers and colleagues, ensuring that all relevant statutory and Council policies and requirements are complied with. Undertake equipment maintenance checks, logging and reporting defects or hazardous situations as required. Performing 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. Ensuring that quality standards, customer care procedures, work instructions, and record keeping are followed and maintained. Provide supervision of dry-side activities to always ensure customer safety, by preventing accidents and incidents and by taking the appropriate action in the event of these occurring. Perform the role of First Aider by providing immediate emergency lifesaving medical care. In the event of a fire or other emergency, you will be required to work as team to clear the building and assist the people with evacuating and provide assistance to the emergency services where required. Maintain the general upkeep of the outside areas of the centre, including but not limited to, litter picking, emptying of and replacement of the bins, maintaining the recycling bins, setup and moving of equipment as required. Lead on the setting up and setting down of equipment and provide stewardship and supervision of any special events and be prepared to work outside of normal opening times as dictated by the special event. Monitor customer use within the centre and ensure unsafe practices are promptly dealt with or reported as appropriate. Assist with reception duties to include being a point of contact for information/advice and maintain databases and records in accordance with GDPR and data protection guidelines. Perform all duties in a professional, friendly, and caring manner to ensure that a high standard of customer care and enjoyment is achieved at all times and to actively promote all of our services in a positive manner so manging retention of customers within the facility and ensuring that expectations are met and repeat business is assured. Assist with dealing with Anti-social behaviour. To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post including interchange of duties, to cover for leave, sickness, employee vacancies etc. 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 of 30-minute duration. PERSON SPECIFICATION The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of the post. The essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process. QUALIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL NPLQ DESIRABLE Hold a recognised academic qualification associated with the leisure industry Hold a recognised First Aid qualification Hold a customer care or Welcome Host certificate Hold a recognised qualification in IT e.g. CLAIT II or ECDL EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL Previous experience of 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 which can include days, evenings, weekends (Sat & Sun) and public holidays Must consent to a pre-employment Enhanced with barred list Access NI check Must agree to a pool test as part of the recruitment selection process To undertake any training required to deliver a high-level service experience and ensure qualifications are kept up to date in line with both 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.