Lifeguard (Certification Course Provided) - Indoor Pool (Recreation/Aquatics)/Seasonal Employment
Job Description
Job Description
Chautauqua Health & Fitness Center is a year-round fitness facility inside the Turner Community Center. In addition to memberships, services include exercise classes, personal training and swim lessons. The summer hours of operation for the Center are weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Swimming hours of operation for 25-yard indoor pool during the summer for weekdays is early morning to mid-day and early afternoon to early evening. Weekend hours are also offered.
About Your Compensation
Compensation for this position starts at $16.00/Hour and, with demonstrated experience and qualifications, candidates may earn up to $18.25/Hour.
Free access to Turner Fitness Facilities included while active.
About Lifeguard Certification
New York's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation will host a Lifeguard Certification Course at Chautauqua Institution's Health & Fitness Center in Turner Community Center in Chautauqua, New York. This course will provide candidates interested in obtaining their lifeguard, waterfront lifeguard, first aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Chautauqua Institution invites any candidate interested in obtaining employment as a lifeguard and who is provided a contingent offer of employment to enroll in this course. The cost is $175 due May 28 after passing the pre-requisite test. Chautauqua will reimburse the $175 cost for candidates who successfully complete the course, are certified, and begin employment with Chautauqua Institution.
Candidate attendance is mandatory on the following dates for Summer 2025: Wednesday, May 28 (4 pm - 8 pm), Friday, May 30 (4 pm - 8 pm), Saturday, May 31 (8 am - 1 pm), Sunday, June 1 (8 am - 1 pm), Tuesday, June 3 (4 pm - 8 pm), Thursday, June 5 (4 pm - 8 pm), Friday, June 6 (4 pm - 8 pm), Sunday, June 8 (9 am - 3:30 pm). (Waterfront only-Location Change)
Candidates must be a minimum of 15 years old to participate in the course and, to certify, must pass a swimming prerequisite. Candidates will be required to pass a pre-requisite water test (goggles permitted) that includes swimming (350 yards) with a front crawl or breaststroke, treading water (2 minutes) with legs only, and continuing to swim another 200 yards. Candidates must also complete a timed event in 1 minute 40 seconds by diving to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, surfacing, swimming on their back while holding the object (20 yards), and then exiting the water without ladders or steps. Candidates will finally complete an underwater event by swimming 5 yards, submerging/swimming underwater to retrieve dive rings 5 yards apart in 4-7 feet of water, and then returning to the surface to swim another 5 yards.
If you are unable to attend the course at Chautauqua but complete a qualifying certification course elsewhere that better fits your schedule, you may be eligible for reimbursement of course fees upon hire.
For additional information or to register for the Lifeguard Certification Course, please contact Terri Crandall, Assistant Manager, Health & Fitness Center, at Chautauqua Institution at (716) 357-6456 or TCrandall@CHQ.org.
About Your Work Day
- Ensure the safety of members by monitoring pool area activity, preventing accidents and enforcing pool rules and regulations.
- Greet and engage with members in a professional manner. Includes assign swim lanes, answer questions, administer the deep-end test.
- Opening and closing the pool, including inspecting pool area conditions and safety equipment.
- Identify, report, and address any safety issues.
- Know/review all emergency procedures; responds to emergency situations in accordance with policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate and timely pool-related documentation.
- Maintain a clean and safe pool environment.
Chautauqua Health & Fitness is always staffed when the pool is open and fitness staff are additional responders in event of a pool emergency.
About the Referral Program
Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90-days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6-months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30-days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.
About Your Schedule
Chautauqua Institution and Chautauqua Hotel Company offer flexible schedules, full and part-time, for seasonal employment during summer operations starting annually each June and concluding in August. Seasonal employment may be available earlier (pre-season) and beyond season (post-season) based on business needs and candidate availability. Schedules typically include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as a requirement. While you will confirm your final schedule with management at the time of an interview and offer of employment, you should generally anticipate the following schedule options for this position:
There are part-time (20 hours per week) and full-time positions (35 hours per week). Shifts range from 3.5 to 8 hours. The shift start time varies between 6:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Must be able to work one weekend shift each week. Part-time work is available pre/post the summer season.
About Living on the Grounds
Chautauqua Institution may provide limited housing options on our grounds or assist you with locating nearby housing arrangements for select opportunities based on business needs. Housing is not an option for many positions and may be of a cost to you. Candidates should assume there are no employer-provided or employer-assisted housing options available for this position unless it is otherwise stated.
About Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conferencing, and events organization. The Institution’s office in Washington, DC is located strategically for an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.
Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience
There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.
Our Commitment to IDEA
Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.
Joining Our Talent Community
Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.