Lifeguard

Company: The Arc Of The Ozarks
Location: Springfield
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Description We’re looking for certified Lifeguards to join our team! This position requires a current, valid Lifeguard certification . Are you interested in joining a rewarding non-profit career field with opportunities to make a difference in your community? The Arc invites you to join our team of value-driven and independent professionals. Help us fulfill our mission to support individuals with disabilities in enhancing the quality of their lives! What is this job all about? Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities? We’re looking for a dedicated Lifeguard/Swim Instructor to join our team and support individuals in a recreational facility with a pool, wading pool, whirlpool, and gymnasium! In this exciting role, you’ll be responsible for providing swimming lessons , ensuring safety , and assisting with activity therapy and education . You'll help implement program plans, contribute to creating a therapeutic environment, and build meaningful relationships with participants, families, and the team. You’ll also supervise individuals in the pool area, maintain the swimming pool and activities building, and document observations related to participants' physical, mental, and behavioral conditions. Your work will be closely guided by the Director of Education & Recreation to ensure top-notch care and safety. If you’re ready to be part of an impactful team and bring your passion for swimming and teaching to a meaningful setting, apply today! If we didn’t get your attention yet - The Arc of the Ozarks also offers competitive pay and benefits. What will my day-to-day responsibilities look like? A Lifeguard is both a mentor and a coach. In this position you will be working hands on with our clients to provide guidance and suggestions to empower their learning. You will do this by: Supervising and Monitoring : Directly supervise and monitor all swimmers when the pool is in use, ensuring safety at all times. Pool Policy Implementation : Demonstrate a working knowledge of the swimming pool policies and ensure that all users follow them. Pool Maintenance : Assist in maintaining the pool by ensuring a clean appearance, testing water chemical balance, filling the pool as needed, and securing the pool area when not in use. Health Observations : Observe and report changes in participants’ physical, behavioral, and emotional status, providing necessary assistance in daily living tasks such as dressing, personal hygiene, and toileting. Emergency Protocols : Take appropriate action in case of emergencies (e.g., swimming accidents, behavioral crises, fires), following Arc of the Ozarks policies. Facility Upkeep : Maintain the pool office and locker rooms with a clean and neat appearance. Record Keeping : Assist in recording health data (e.g., temperature, pulse, blood pressure) and notify supervisors if any early signs of illness are detected. General Support : When the pool is not in use, assist with day care, skilled care, and recreation programs as a back-up staff member. This is your chance to make a difference every day while promoting safety, health, and fun in a supportive environment! Join us today and help create a positive experience for our participants! What do I need to be successful in this position? Certifications : Certified in First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard Training. Experience : At least 1 year of experience teaching group and individual swim lessons. Skills : Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion while maintaining a safe and clean environment for participants. Flexibility : Ability to work varied and flexible hours and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, and policies. Compassion : Ability to work with and respect individuals with developmental disabilities. Behavioral Knowledge : Working knowledge of elementary behavior modification techniques. Habilitation : Ability to apply basic skills required in habilitation programs. Observation Skills : Ability to accurately report and record observations and follow directions. Education : Must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Preferred : Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. If you have a passion for swimming and making a difference in the lives of others, this is the role for you! Join us today and help us provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment for our participants! Here’s a little more: Excellent opportunities for growth and promotion within the organization. Setup for success with paid initial and ongoing training certifications and Professional Development Opportunities (CPR/ First Aid, MANDT verbal and physical de-escalation, Paraclete, Level One Med Aide, etc.) - Requires weekday, daytime availability for at least the first 2 weeks to complete necessary trainings for position. Potential for annual wage increases. Retirement Plan – Match up to 4% after one year. If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference in individual's lives, click on the link and apply now to join our team! Looking for more information? Give us a call at 417-771-3700 Ask for the Talent Acquisition Team Send us an Email at Jobs@thearcoftheozarks.org Don't forget to include your name and the position/location you are interested in. Checkout some videos about our organization and the individuals we support here https://www.youtube.com/@thearcoftheozarks-springfield/videos Checkout our website and social media here: https://thearcoftheozarks.org/ https://www.facebook.com/thearcoftheozarks https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-the-ozarks/ https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Arc-of-the-Ozarks-Reviews-E421090.htm Qualifications Definition The Lifeguard / Swim Instructor is a non-professional working in the care, treatment and supervision of individuals in a recreational facility for individuals with developmental disabilities that includes a swimming pool, wading pool, whirlpool, and gymnasium. The Lifeguard/Swim Instructor performs basic non-professional work in the personal instruction and care, activity therapy, education, physical therapy, swimming lessons, safety, socialization and related areas. This employee assists in the implementation of group and individual program plans, including Rivendale classes; contributes to the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment; and establishes effective interpersonal relationships with each participant, co-workers, parents and/or guardians and other members of the training team. Work involves responsibility for observing and supervising individuals while in the swimming pool area, maintenance of the swimming pool and activities building, individual client care, reporting information concerning the physical, mental, and behavioral condition of the participants and for assisting in the maintenance of necessary records and reports to document these observations. Close supervision or direction is received from the Director of Education & Recreation. Essential Job Functions Directly supervises and monitors all swimmers when the swimming pool is in use. Demonstrates a working knowledge of the swimming pool policy (Arc of the Ozarks Policy 1.302 & 4.408) and ensures that it is implemented by all users of the swimming pool area. Informs the Director of Education & Recreation of needed repairs and replacement items for the building and pool area so they can be requisitioned. Assists with maintenance of the swimming pool including: maintaining the pool area with a clean appearance, filling the pools as needed to maintain water levels, testing the water to insure a proper balance between all chemicals, starting dehumidifiers at the proper times, and securing the pool area when not in use. Observes, reports and assists in recording changes in the physical condition, behavioral response, and emotional status of each person using the swimming pool. Assists in maintaining the pool office and locker rooms with a clean and neat appearance. Shuts off all lights (gym, pool, kitchen, hall) and locks all doors before closing the activities building. Provides assistance and training to assigned individuals in dressing, personal hygiene, toileting, and other activities of daily living. Assists in providing basic health care for participants, takes temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration when necessary. Notifies appropriate department supervisor after detecting early signs of sickness, such as, vomiting, flushed face, diarrhea, fever, etc. Takes appropriate action per Arc of the Ozarks policy in case of emergencies, such as, behavioral crises, swimming accident, tornado, fire and/or disaster. Preserves the rights of all participants and treats them with dignity in a humane manner. Checks equipment used in the swimming pool and gymnasium on a regular basis to insure that they are in good repair. Attends and participates in continued in-service training. When the pool is not in use, serves as a back-up to staff in the day care, skilled care and recreation programs. Maintains effective working relationship with all participants, supervisors, and other Arc of the Ozarks staff. Facilitates good communication with parents and guardians of all individuals served. Performs related work as assigned. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Certified in first aide, CPR, and as a lifeguard. Working knowledge of The Arc of the Ozarks policies governing the use of the swimming pool and gymnasium. Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion. Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc. Ability to work with and respect persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Working knowledge of elementary behavior modification techniques. Ability to apply basic skills required in habilitation programs. Ability to maintain a safe, clean and comfortable environment for participant care and recreational activities. Ability to accurately report and record observations. Ability to understand and follow directions. Minimum Experience and Training Qualifications Must be a minimum of eighteen years of age and possession of a diploma from an accredited High School or the equivalent. Certification in First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard training. Have at least 1 year experience teaching group and individual swim lessons and swim classes. Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.

Keywords: The Arc Of The Ozarks, Fayetteville , Lifeguard, Education / Teaching , Springfield, Arkansas