Role and Responsibilities:

Pool Supervision and Safety

• Maintain continuous, active surveillance of all swimmers within assigned zones, adjusting supervision methods based on year group and programme requirements. Talking, chatting or socialising while on active lifeguarding duty is not permitted, as full concentration must remain on student safety.

• Lifeguards must vary their cover appropriately, standing close and remaining fully engaged for EYFS and KS1 groups, and using assigned stations or elevated chairs for KS2 and squad sessions to support a wider scanning range.

• Supervise curriculum, WEX and extended squad sessions with sustained focus and professionalism.

Apply proactive scanning patterns to identify unsafe behaviour early and intervene before incidents occur.

• Enforce pool rules politely and consistently so that all users understand expectations.

Respond immediately to emergencies or near-miss situations using trained rescue and first aid protocols.

• Deliver first aid confidently when required and ensure all equipment is accessible and ready.

Use whistle signals and agreed communication systems clearly and accurately to support safe operation.

• Model exemplary safety standards for students, staff and visitors through professional behaviour.

• Demonstrate high quality conduct so the aquatic environment reflects strong expectations for supervision and safeguarding.

Emergency Response

• Recognise early signs of distress, fatigue or unsafe behaviour and respond without delay.

• Carry out rescue techniques accurately, including deep-water rescues and spinal management when trained.

• Administer first aid, CPR and oxygen therapy in line with qualification requirements.

• Activate the Emergency Action Plan and coordinate clearly with teachers, coaches and colleagues.

• Secure the pool environment during and after any incident so all students remain safe.

• Support post-incident reviews to develop improved practice.

Operational Duties

• Complete opening and closing procedures in line with the daily operational checklist.

• Check and maintain readiness of rescue equipment, alarms, signage and poolside hardware.

• Set up lane ropes, platforms and lesson layouts as required. Prepare and reset teaching equipment at each learning station to support high quality instruction.

• Maintain organised and hazard-free storage areas and report any faults quickly.

• Complete logs, checklists and daily documentation accurately and on schedule.

Supporting Swimming Lessons and Programmes

• Prepare the pool environment for curriculum, WEX Learn to Swim and squad sessions.

• Support behaviour management and smooth transitions between groups.

• Communicate clearly and professionally with teachers and coaches to support lesson aims.

• Assist with additional supervision and safety cover during higher-risk activities such as pool parties, inflatables and special events. Ensure teaching zones are cleared, safe and ready for the next session without delay.

• Support the efficient flow of lessons across the school day.

Interaction with Students

• Lifeguards interact with students throughout curriculum, WEX and squad sessions, and these interactions must always be safe, appropriate and aligned with school safeguarding expectations. Verbal instructions should be clear, concise and supportive, helping students understand routines, pool rules and safety expectations without creating anxiety.

• Positive reinforcement should be used to support safe behaviour. Lifeguards are encouraged to acknowledge students who follow instructions promptly, demonstrate safe movement patterns or help maintain an orderly environment. This contributes to a positive learning climate and supports whole school behaviour expectations.

• Professional boundaries must always be maintained. Physical interactions should be limited to those required for safety or emergency response, and all guidance must be delivered with respect for personal space. Lifeguards should avoid personal conversations, favouritism or any behaviour that could be misinterpreted. When in doubt, staff should seek guidance from the Head of Aquatics or the safeguarding team to ensure practice remains appropriate and consistent across the department.

Facility Cleanliness and Maintenance Checks

• Maintain tidy, safe and uncluttered poolside spaces throughout all sessions.

Reset and organise equipment storage areas regularly.

• Report hazards, damaged equipment or unsafe conditions to the appropriate team without delay. Assist in creating a professional and welcoming environment for all users.

Changing Room Tidiness and Lost Property Management

• Conduct regular checks of changing rooms before and after sessions.

Remove items from floors or unsafe areas and place them neatly in appropriate locations.

• Transfer all lost property to the correct labelled boxes to maintain order.

• Ensure changing rooms remain safe, clean and ready for the next class.

Support clear routines that help students move efficiently between locations.

Pool Water Quality Testing

• Conduct scheduled tests for free chlorine, total chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, alkalinity and water temperature in line with the Pool Water Testing Policy.

Use the infrared thermometer to test all four corners of the pool and calculate an accurate average.

• Record all results accurately in the digital log and ensure logs are organised for future monthly schedules.

• Report any readings outside acceptable limits immediately to the Head of Aquatics and Facilities via email.

• Check that testing chemicals remain in stock and report when supplies fall below one month's capacity.

• Ensure testing equipment is clean, functional and maintained to a high standard. Report any faulty testing equipment immediately to the Head of Aquatics and the Facilities Manager.

• Understand the meaning of each reading and follow escalation procedures aligned to risk level.

Cancelled Lessons

• When lessons are cancelled, lifeguards must check with the lead swim teacher to confirm the alternate plan.

• Lifeguards are responsible for collecting the required equipment and setting up the lesson space as directed by the swim teacher, which may be on the sports field, in the gymnastics room, dance studio, glass room, sports hall or fitness suite.

• After the lesson or alternate activity, lifeguards are responsible for packing away all equipment and ensuring the area is left tidy and ready for the next group.

Administration and Documentation

• Complete incident and near-miss reports promptly with clear, factual detail.

Maintain accurate daily checklists and operational records.

• Report risks, hazards or safeguarding concerns clearly in writing for follow-up action.

• Support departmental documentation processes to ensure safe and consistent operations.

Swim Camps

• Lifeguards are contracted to support an additional four weeks of work per academic year. The school year consists of thirty-six working weeks, and lifeguards are contracted for forty to meet programme needs.

• These additional contracted weeks are allocated by the Head of Aquatics to support Swim Camp programmes across holiday periods.

• Lifeguards must be available for all scheduled swim camps unless formally approved leave has been granted in advance.

• Duties during swim camps include pool water quality testing according to daily and camp-specific requirements as per the school's swim camp policy.

• Additional

responsibilities include

pool supervision, equipment setup and pack-up, and consistent supervision of changing rooms as per the changing room policy.

• Lifeguards also support camp activities and group transitions to ensure smooth movement and safe routines.

• Poolside organisation, stock checks and keeping the environment ready for use are expected throughout each camp day.

• Camp schedules may differ from normal term-time duties, and lifeguards are required to follow the rota issued by the Head of Aquatics.

• Flexibility, professionalism and the ability to adapt to changing activity demands are essential during camp periods.

Requirements:

Professional Conduct and Behaviour Standards

• A valid RLSS NPLQ or equivalent international lifeguard qualification is essential and current CPR and First Aid certification.

• Safeguarding and Child Protection training, understanding reporting procedures, and professional boundaries are required.

• A degree in

Education and English efficiency is preferred.

• Preferred additional qualifications include swim teaching certification, Lifeguard Trainer Assessor status.

• Demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism at all times. Staff are expected to arrive punctually, fully prepared for duty and ready to supervise. Any absence, lateness or unexpected change to availability must be communicated promptly through the correct channels.

• Act as positive role models for the Wellington community - calm, consistent behaviour, maintaining professional boundaries and presenting a professional image. Conduct on poolside should reflect the expectations of a school environment, where safeguarding, respect and high standards of supervision are always prioritised.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrate strong water safety knowledge and situational awareness to identify risks early and maintain a safe environment. Excellent observational and scanning skills are essential to ensure continuous supervision of all swimmers.

• The ability to make fast and appropriate decisions is critical when changing situations or potential emergencies. Professional communication skills are required for clear interaction.

• Strong physical fitness is necessary to meet the demands of rescues, supervision and daily operational duties.

Hours, Rotas and Expectations: Lifeguards work a total shift duration of 8 hours per day, excluding break time, amounting to 40 hours per week. If the total working hours exceed 40 hours in any given week, overtime will be applied. Staff must remain punctual, prepared and ready for duty at the scheduled start time each day.

Active Lifeguard Duty (4–6 hours): Active lifeguarding duty covers curriculum swimming, WEX Learn to Swim and squad sessions and extended sessions may require sustained focus, lifeguards must rotate positions every 30 minutes to maintain safe alertness levels.

Operational Duties (2-4 hours): Operational tasks include, poolside supervision, equipment setup and tidying, changing room checks and water testing, including poolside organisation, storage resets, stock checks, administrative tasks and relocating lost property to designated collection points.

Safeguarding and Legal: Please note the College's positions are subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Wellington College International Bangkok is also committed to equality and diversity. Candidates should be aware that all posts in the College involve a degree of responsibility for safeguarding students.