What You'll Do

  • Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
  • Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
  • Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
  • Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
  • Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
  • Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
  • Inspect recreational equipment, such as rope tows, T-bars, J-bars, or chair lifts, for safety hazards and damage or wear.
  • Provide assistance with staff selection, training, and supervision.
  • Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.

Essential Skills

Monitoring 3.75/5
Speaking 3.5/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.38/5
Service Orientation 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Learning Strategies 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Active Learning 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Dependability, Cooperation, Concern for Others, Stress Tolerance, Self-Control

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 4.0/5
Oral Expression 3.5/5
Far Vision 3.5/5
Oral Comprehension 3.25/5
Selective Attention 3.25/5
Speech Clarity 3.25/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.12/5
Flexibility of Closure 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

GroupMe Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Word

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.54/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.36/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.27/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.16/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.14/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aquatics Coordinator Aquatics Lifeguard Aquatics Specialist Beach Attendant Beach Lifeguard Bus Monitor Certified Lifeguard Certified Ski Patroller Gamewell Operator Life Guard Lifeguard Marine Safety Officer Ocean Lifeguard Ocean Lifeguard Specialist OEC Tech (Outdoor Emergency Care Technician) Park Ranger Playground Monitor Pool Attendant Pool Lifeguard Pool Monitor Pool Supervisor Ranger Recreation Aide Rescue Worker Ski Patrol Paramedic Ski Patroller Surveillance System Monitor