STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Lifeguard

Burr Pond State Park

Recruitment #210108-4315VR-005

Introduction



Do you enjoy being outdoors and making a difference? 
We encourage you to explore this great opportunity! 

About Us: 

The State of Connecticut, State Parks and Forests are your go-to outdoor place. Located around the state, our 110 state parks and 32 state forests offer a place for every outdoor enthusiast to refresh and recharge by visiting recreation areas, museums, and nature centers all while enjoying our state's historic, cultural and natural resources. 

The beautiful, gently sloping, soft sandy beach, picnic areas, train watching, diverse trail systems and salt marsh viewing platforms make the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) parks ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look for ospreys, cranes, and herons or other waterfowl. CT State Parks provide something for all members of the family! 

DEEP, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, State Parks Division, Lifeguard program is hiring qualified lifeguards to join our team at Burr Pond State Park in beautiful Torrington, CT. 

Burr Pond is an 85 acre pond that offers a refreshing spot to go swimming, fishing, or canoeing in tranquil waters, sit and enjoy a picnic lunch, and then head up into the surrounding trails for a scenic hike through the rest of the park. 



Position Highlights: 

The Lifeguard position is a seasonal position from Memorial Day (May 28, 2021) through Labor Day (September 6, 2021). During this period, the hours of work are from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., typically five days per week for a total of 40 hours. Weekends and holidays are mandatory. 

This position will work outside at the designated swimming area at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT. 

The pay rate is $14.00 an hour and will not include any benefits. 

Contact Information: 

For technical support regarding the filing of your application in JobAps, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov

Any inquiries regarding the status of your application for this position must be made directly to Sarah Battistini at Sarah.Battistini@ct.gov or (860) 418-5958. 

Selection Plan

These positions are non-competitive and open to the public.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old and have proof of age.

Candidates must be able to pass training pre-requisites and state issued certifications, including American Red Cross Lifeguarding and Waterfront Module. 

Candidates must be fluent in English. 

A pre-employment physical may be required of all applicants. 

Skill Testing: 

Selected candidates must be able to meet the qualifications below.

All applicants must successfully complete the following skills before they can take the classroom portion of the certification. Candidates will have two attempts for each skill:

  • Swim 550 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used. This swim is to be completed in 10 minutes or less. 
  • Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under their armpits. the head must remain above the surface of water. 
  • Complete the 'brick' timed event within 1 minutes 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.) Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. (Candidates should not swim the distance under water.) Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. 
  • Complete the 'underwater' swim event by swimming an accumulation of 15 yards underwater, in a single breath, picking up three dive rings. 
  • Complete a 50 yard swim in 45 seconds or less. Distance to back of surveillance zone at shore. 
  • Complete a 0.25 mile run in 2 minutes or less. Max distance from shack to guarded zone.
  • Complete a 1.5 mile run in 15 minutes or less. Distance of shoreline to clear patrons. 
  • Jump off and then climb back into a rescue kayak without flipping the kayak. Kayaks used for in water surveillance zone. 
  • Sprint 50 yards, swim 25 yards and retrieve a floating object back to shore in 2 minutes or less. Immediately perform continuous 2 minutes of effective CPR (if certified) or continuous chest compressions (if not certified). Half the distance between the towers, to someone halfway to the back of the surveillance zone. 
  • Move a 165 pound object/person a distance of 25 yards. Distance from low tide mark to tower, weight of an average adult.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the State of Connecticut this class is accountable for performing a full range of lifeguard services at swimming areas operated by state agencies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Acts as primary visitor contact, interacting with the public to assist them in the safe and orderly enjoyment of the Park;  
  • Monitors activities in swimming areas to prevent accidents and provide assistance to swimmers at State of Connecticut State Park Waterfronts; 
  • Cautions swimmers regarding unsafe areas; 
  • Maintains order in swimming areas; 
  • Rescues swimmers in danger of drowning and administers first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required; 
  • Instructs patrons in water safety; 
  • Participates in physical and rescue skills training; 
  • Performs general maintenance tasks, including beach cleaning, as assigned; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Applicants must demonstrate competence in basic life-saving techniques. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to swim while carrying an adult to safety.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess Certification in the following ; Life-saving from a national accredited organization ( i.e. American Red Cross, YMCA, Ellis & Associates, etc. ), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the professional rescuer, and first aid. All certifications must be valid from the beginning to end of working period.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.