You can make a splash in your career with YMCA Calgary’s aquatics team!
Lifeguarding at YMCA Calgary is a direct way to help others. Lifeguards are an important part of our mission of connecting people through diverse and shared experiences and creating welcoming communities. Aquatics provides great personal and professional development opportunities to jumpstart your career!
A variety of roles
YMCA Calgary has a strong aquatics program. We hire senior and junior lifeguards/swim instructors and offer volunteer positions too.
“While most of our lifeguard roles are for part-timers, we do have full-time guards as well at many of our locations,” says Steve Elliot, General Manager, Aquatics. “We also hire people with a variety of abilities.”
Steve says they are always accepting resumes and get in touch with the applicants as positions open up.
Promoting from within
YMCA Calgary is a strong proponent of promoting staff from within the organization.
“Most of our shift leaders and program leads started as part-time lifeguards,” Steve explains. “Many of them grow into senior roles such as leadership instructors, aquatics coordinator, supervisor, manager, and general manager of aquatics.”
One current supervisor started out as a slide attendant!
Rewards
Full-time aquatics staff are eligible for compensation that includes:
- Base salary
- Benefits including vision and dental coverage, life and disability insurance, vacation time, a health care spending account, employee assistance program, and employer-matched pension plan.
Compensation also includes other tangible and intangible benefits:
- Usage of YMCA facilities across the city
- Personal growth, advancement and development opportunities
- Childcare options and special reduced rates
- Strong leadership and a values-based workplace culture
- Work / life balance initiatives
- Unique work arrangements and hours
- The opportunity to help build a healthy community today, and for the future.
Part-time roles (individuals who work 20 hours or less per week) are eligible for benefits such as wellness days, paid vacation, and our employee assistance program.
YMCA Calgary also pays for lifeguard recertification fees for both full and part-time lifeguards/swim instructors. There are specific scholarships lifeguards/swim instructors can apply for through YMCA Calgary.
More than just money
“Our aquatics team members tell us they like being mentors and teaching skills that can actually save peoples’ lives,” Steve says.
Lifeguards develop or hone a variety of skills:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Risk management
- Lifesaving
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
Additionally, YMCA Calgary has a stellar community reputation, so it is a great resume addition.
A fantastic first job
“Most of the lifeguards at YMCA Calgary start as young people because it’s a well-paying, fun job for teenagers,” says Steve. “They get to meet a lot of different people and make lifelong friends.”
Slide attendants and swim instructors can start at 15 years old, while lifeguards must be a minimum of 16. Many kids continue working in these roles through their university years.
Requirements
A love of swimming! “Our lifeguards/swim instructors are passionate about swimming,” says Steve. “Most started as small children and continued through their young adulthood. They continue as lifeguards because they love it!”
In fact, at the recent Alberta Lifesaving Sport Meet Provincials hosted by Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton, one of our very own staff members, alongside his partner, set a provincial and national record in the 16-19 men's 12.5m line throw relay.
Lifeguards/swim instructors also require First Aid, CPR, National Lifeguarding certification, and YMCA Swim Instructor certification courses.
“YMCA is about people first – that includes staff,” Steve says. “Aquatics team members genuinely care about each other and about facility visitors. It is a great culture and a very supportive team.”
YMCA Calgary offers a number of Aquatics training programs. Register today!