Using a Middle Tier for Lifeguard Development and Advancement?
QUESTION:
“Does anyone have a middle tier for lifeguards to provide development and advancement opportunities?”
Answer 1:
We have Vanguards. They take a leadership course, help with breaks and rotations, and help out the Leads.
Answer 2:
We train Jr. Lifeguards, which then leads the Lifeguards to become the middle tier. Typically candidates graduating 6 grade/12 years old take the course their "1st summer" and complete 10 -25 hours of volunteer work that summer. 2nd summer/ 13 years old 25 -50 hours of volunteer work. 3rd summer/ 14 years old, they are paid as Jr. guards.
When they are 15 years old they are ready for the Lifeguard course and ready to work at our pool. They know the EAP inside and out. They have 3 years of practice with customer service, cleaning, concessions, LG in-service training.
Answer 3:
We hire assistant instructor guards. They can get hired at 15. They must be fully certified 6 months after their 16th birthday. We have 5 steps for instructor guard.
They get a level increase each year with a good performance. We have 3 levels of the head guard. They can get a pay increase for 3 years based on good performance.
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