Lifeguard

Bronx, NY
Middle and Upper Schools – Athletics Department /
Part Time /
On-site
Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. Riverdale seeks to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in its students, faculty, and staff. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is the foundational core of community-building that supports the school’s mission and empowers all community members to be their whole selves and thrive-- especially those who historically have been and continue to be marginalized because of their cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, national, gender, sexual, spiritual, or socioeconomic identities and their physical, mental, or emotional well-being. Riverdale enrolls about 1,200 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. Approximately 44% of our student body identify as students of color. 

We seek to employ people who engage in all aspects of work with a student-centered approach, an open mind, passion, and a willingness to support the greater community. At Riverdale we recognize that the work of DEIB is iterative and requires a consistent commitment. Ideal candidates display that commitment in their work and/or in their approach to teaching and learning. 

Riverdale Athletics’ mission is to provide a meaningful athletic experience for each student-athlete, while maximizing student participation, promoting sportsmanship, representing the school with integrity, and understanding the importance of balancing the commitments of being a student-athlete. We aim to hire coaches who emulate the values of both Riverdale Athletics and Riverdale Country School.

Our group of coaches are dedicated to their given sport, student-athletes, and team. Coaches are public-facing representatives of the school and interscholastic athletic activities. Coaches should be viewed first as teachers who utilize effective teaching strategies, striving towards having expert knowledge in their discipline. Effective planning, instructional skills, and the ability to set expectations, motivate, and discipline student-athletes are essential components of being a successful coach.

The primary responsibility of a lifeguard is to prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring in the aquatic facilities. Candidates must be able to ensure the safety of patrons by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors. This person will need to be able to solve on-the-job issues by utilizing effective critical thinking and decision-making skills and possess the ability to work with diverse populations. Lifeguards must be able to enforce pool policies and be able to communicate effectively why policies are in place.

Minimum Qualifications

    • Current Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Required
    • Current CPR/ First Aid/AED Certifications Required
    • Must be available to work a minimum of 10-15 hours per week
    • Previous lifeguarding experience 

Physical Demands

    • Ability to react to emergency situations by quick movements, strenuous activity, and on occasion assist or lift persons in distress of varying weights
    • Required to remain alert to dangerous situations while sitting, standing, or walking for various lengths of time

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

    • Recognize and respond effectively in emergency situations by activating the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
    • Actively guards and scans the pool area at all times; refrains from socializing while guarding
    • Communicate and enforce all pool policies and rules in a personable and professional manner.
    • Dress and appearance are consistent with Riverdale standards including wearing your swimsuit, lifeguard shirt, whistle, and rescue tube while on duty
    • Attend and participate in regular in-service training
    • Provide a welcoming environment for all patrons.
    • Document any incidents and injuries.
    • Maintain a clean and tidy workspace.
    • Perform other duties as assigned

Staff Development

    • Must act and represent Riverdale in a positive and professional manner
    • Maintain a standard of performance on daily tasks
    • Maintain communication with other Aquatics Team members and your supervisors
    • Communicate clear and concise information to patrons, students, emergency medical service personnel, and police services
    • Adhere to all Riverdale guidelines and non negotiable items

Criteria for Success

    • Ability to recognize and respond to emergencies through knowledge and application of lifeguard surveillance and rescue techniques
    • Ability to enforce pool policies while providing a high level of customer service to students, faculty/staff, and community members
    • Ability to display a positive attitude for all patrons and Riverdale staff
    • Ability to prioritize tasks, manage their time, and balance professional and personal commitments
    • Arrives prepared and on time for work and consistently demonstrates service excellence
    • Able to assess a situation and make an informed decision independently
    • Ability to work as a team with other lifeguards, facility staff, and administrators
    • Positively promotes Riverdale to peers and patrons and takes the initiative to be involved throughout campus as needed
    • Evaluation will be based on self, peer, and supervisory reviews
$20 - $25 an hour
Hours: 10-15 hours per week
To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter.  If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us.  For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:  

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical:  Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.  

To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter.  If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us.  For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:  

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical:  Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.  

Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance.  In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.  

Retirement:  Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA.  The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.  

Vacation:  Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.