Lifeguard

Qualifications

1.     Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2.      Health

Each candidate shall be free from any defect of disease which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the employment and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3.    Education/ experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: -

(a)         Hold a current pool Irish Water Safety lifeguard award or equivalent

(b)        Be able to display a proficiency in resuscitation, swimming ability and rescue techniques.

(c)         Have excellent communication and customer care skills. Fluency in the English language is essential.

(d)        Have ability to adapt to new processes/procedures and to undergo any training that is required.

Please supply copies of any relevant Certificates you may have with the application form.

4.     CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a)     A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b)     A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c)     A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d)     A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e)     A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or

f)      A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

5.              AGE

Candidates must be 18 years of age or over on the date of appointment of lifeguard.

Desirable Criteria

Previous Lifeguard experience

Irish Water Safety Assistant Swim Teacher Award or equivalent

POOL LIFEGUARD DUTIES

The person employed shall be required to carry out duties as may from time to time be assigned to them in relation to their employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the Chief Executive is responsible and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of duties. The Pool Manager or any such person designated may assign any other duties as he sees fit at his/her absolute discretion.

Those who are employed as temporary pool lifeguards from the sporadic cover panel, are required to assist management in ensuring that the facility is utilised to its maximum efficiency by delivering the highest standard of service to members and guests and to support Westmeath County Council across all areas of activity.

Successful candidates may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, such duties being reasonably consistent with the position of lifeguard. These activities may be added to at the discretion of Westmeath County Council as deemed necessary from time to time.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the duties shall include but will not be limited to the following:

-        The principal duty of the lifeguard shall be to safeguard the users of the pool by maintaining a constant observation of all swimmers while on duty.

-        Attend courses relevant to the job.

-        Teach swimming lessons and co-ordinate camps & parties.

-        On commencement of daily duties, he/she shall inspect all equipment at his/her disposal and ensure that it is serviceable. He/she shall then inspect the pool and pool area, making sure that it is clean and safe for use.

-        When defects are noticed, he/she shall rectify them where possible, and if not, he/she shall immediately bring them to the attention of the supervisor.

-        He/she shall point out the regulations to the swimmers and make sure that hygiene is practised by them, in the use of showers etc.

-        He/she shall see that the pool users are well behaved and shall discourage any conduct that might lead to the injury or discomfort of other swimmers.

-        He/she shall immediately report to the supervisor incidents of misconduct. Where minor offences occur, such as disobeying instructions or breaking the rules, the offenders shall be warned before being reported to the supervisor.

-        He/she shall co-operate with the supervisor in maintaining the efficient running of the pool.

-        He/she shall give any information in relation to the pool of the county council or its officials as requested from time to time.

-        He/she shall render first-aid and resuscitation if required and shall make every effort to improve his/her competency in this regard.

-        He/she will be required to carry out hygiene duties around the pool area

-        No Phone usage permitted while on duty.

 

The person employed will be required to perform assigned duties exercising a duty of care, in the interest of safety of oneself, fellow employees and the general public, at all times in compliance with Westmeath County Council’s Health & Safety Management System.

 

LIFEGUARD (FIXED TERM CONTRACT)PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

1.           Type of Post

The Lifeguard post is part-time and temporary. A panel will be formed from which part-time contract posts may be filled.

2.           Superannuation

New entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 shall be required in respect of their membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme to contribute at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social welfare old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) plus 3% of pensionable remuneration per pay period.

Persons not deemed to be new entrants as defined in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social welfare old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) and also in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

3.           Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale is from €17.37 - €19.42 per hour incl. LSIs (15-point scale) as per Circular Letter EL 03/2025. Please note starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy.

Increments are payable, subject to satisfactory performance and in accordance with current Government Pay Policy and the provisions of the public Service Agreements.

4.          Location

The post will be located in Mullingar Swimming Pool, Town Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

5.          Probation

There shall be a period after appointment takes effect during which the person appointed shall hold office on probation.

(a)     such period shall be six months, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period;

(b)     the person appointed shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the chief executive has certified that the service of the person in such office is satisfactory.

6.           Working Hours

Candidates must be available to work from Monday to Sunday and hours shall vary from early morning to late evening within the hours during which the Swimming Pool is open. The working hours will be on a rota basis arranged by the Swimming Pool Manager.

The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time. Candidates may be required to work overtime (to be approved in advance) on various occasions. Remuneration for such overtime will be paid in accordance with agreed rates and procedures.

7.               Retirement

Minimum retirement age is 60 while 70 is maximum retirement age for staff that commenced employment in the public sector prior to 1st April 2004.

Staff who commenced employment in the public sector between 1st April 2004 and 31st December 2012, minimum retirement age is 65, with no maximum retirement age (subject to being in a state of health, to render regular and efficient service).

Staff who commenced employment in the public sector from the 1st January 2013, minimum retirement age is in line with the age for the contributory state pension and maximum retirement age is 70.

8.           Leave

The leave entitlement and entitlement to Public Holidays shall be granted in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Westmeath County Council’s holiday year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended.

9.           Sick Pay Scheme

Westmeath County Council’s Sick Pay Scheme shall apply to the post of Lifeguard.

10.        Transport

The person appointed will be expected to report to their place of work by their own means of transport.

11.        The appropriate provisions of the following Acts, where applicable, will apply to the employment

Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 – 1991.

Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977 – 1993.

12.        Safety, Health & Welfare

The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 1989 shall apply to the post. The Lifeguard shall co-operate with the terms of Westmeath County Council’s Safety Statement. He/she shall familiarise himself/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment. He/she must report to his/her supervisor any defect notices in the place of work or system of work, which might be dangerous to Safety, Health and Welfare. Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in disciplinary action.

13.        Appraisal

A system of continuous appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between employee and Line Manager in relation to performance and conduct.

14.          Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

15.        Recruitment

Pursuant to article 8 of the Local Government (Appointment of Officers) Regulations 1974, the Minister has given directions as follows: -

(i)      The appointment shall be advertised in such a manner as to clearly indicate that the local authority is an equal opportunities employer.

(ii) Selection shall be by means of a practical test and an interview board set up for this purpose. Applicants shall be required to attend for interview at their own expense, on the basis of information supplied by them in the formal application for the post.

(iii) A County Council may decide, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to the competition, to carry out a short-listing procedure and admit to the competition only persons who appear to be likely to attain in the competition a standard sufficient for appointment.

It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/experience on the application form.

(iv) A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of the panel be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.

16.          Taking Up Appointment

Westmeath County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him/her.

17.          Medical

Where a permanent post is being filled, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo, a medical examination by the local authority’s Occupational Health Medical Advisor. On taking up appointment, the expense of the Medical Examination will be refunded to the candidate.

In the course of their employment and whenever requested by the Council, the lifeguard may be required to undergo medical examinations and comply with such remedial requirements as the Council considers necessary. Employment will not be continued in any case where as a result of such examinations the Council considers the Lifeguard is medically unfit to continue.

18.       Garda Vetting

Westmeath County Council carries out vetting of applications for posts which entail contact with children. A failure to declare any relevant information will result in disqualification. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to disqualify any applicant upon receipt of relevant Garda vetting information.

19.        Acceptance of Offer of Employment

The local authority shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointments within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.