We’re currently recruiting passionate, active people of all ages to undertake 1 – 5 month placements working as Lifeguards and Pool Coordinators in our Remote Pools Project in Central Australia.

living and working in the remote communities of kintore, areyonga and santa teresa, your work will contribute to:

• Improving overall community health and wellbeing by ensuring safe access to community swimming pools
• Increase water safety skills for children
• Increased rates of physical activity

Why you might consider this opportunity:

• to be involved in meaningful work
• to experience different cultures, languages, challenges and perspectives
• to learn and grow
• to share knowledge and skills where they are needed

Not qualified? Not a problem, please reach out to explore training opportunities.

Position Summary

Join a team of like-minded volunteers to help deliver our goal of promoting health, safety and awareness around water. Swimming pools are a vital part of remote communities, providing fun and relief from the summer heat and a sense of togetherness and connection for everyone!

In your role as a pool coordinator, you would be responsible for managing your team of lifeguards, oversee pool plant operations at the facility and ensure pool water chemistry stays within the prescribed Northern Territory health guidelines. In addition to this, your role would include supervising the safe operation of the swimming pool and ensuring the safety of all swimmers and those within the pool facility. By facilitating this supervised space, you would be further promoting the wellbeing of the community by providing them with a positive and engaging resource that encourages physical activity and the opportunity to cool down.

Volunteers will be placed in a community for a short-term period, ranging from a 1 – 5 month period with a small team of other Volunteers. These teams may be placed within a share house accommodation depending on the community that you are placed within.

Supports for Volunteers

Housing & other conditions

• A shared, fully furnished, air-conditioned house in community will be provided for volunteers for the duration of their stay in community. All utilities are provided, and purchase of safe drinking water will also be provided
• Wi-Fi will be provided at the Volunteer houses and at the Pool Office.
• A small weekly stipend will be provided to assist volunteers with purchase of groceries

Training:

• Cultural awareness training will be provided to support you in developing your understanding of Indigenous culture and life in remote communities.
• YMCA NT will pay for volunteers to complete external training from Royal Life Saving courses. Some of these courses may include Bronze Medallion, Pool Lifeguard, Aus Swim Teachers, Pool Operators Course.
• Internal training and induction provided to volunteers in local community.

Volunteers to provide:

• Volunteers require their own 4WD vehicles as the roads are a combination of bitumen and dirt. If you don’t have a 4WD, we can work with you to make alternative arrangements.

Location

Based in the beautiful Central Australian outback, covered by the MacDonnell Regional Council, are 3 remote communities, Walungurru (Kintore), Utju (Areyonga) and Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) dotted around the central hub of Alice Springs. Each community varies in distance from Alice Springs with the furthest being Walungurru (Kintore) at 530km West, Utju (Areyonga) at 220km West and Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) at 80km Southeast.

The Remote Pools Operations Manager (based in Alice Springs) will be in close contact with the Pool Coordinator, providing thorough training and induction in the Pool Coordinator role and providing ongoing support, coaching and mentoring. The Operations Manager will also visit each community regularly, checking in with teams and assist with any problem solving.

Position Description

The Pool Coordinator is a vital role within the facility, they are responsible for maintaining plant and equipment, risk management, contractor management, water quality , duty managers and lifeguards. You will have a sound understanding of the guidelines for safe pool operations, understand and implement strong risk management practices, lead and support the team of volunteer and understand the maintenance requirements of an aquatic plant room.

Position Responsibilities

• Declare anything you become aware of through the course of your engagement with YMCA which a reasonable person would consider could impede your suitability to have contact with children and young people
• Act as an extended guardian towards children and young people where you have interactions and at all times take reasonable steps to prevent abuse and neglect
• Adhere to all policies and procedures relating to safeguarding children and young people and the code of conduct
• Update your details whenever this change, with the relevant department administering the working with children check or equivalent in your state/ territory of residence, as required by applicable laws
• Complete WWCC prior to commencement and maintain currency throughout employment
• Complete a National/International Police Check prior to employment and at the discretion of the YMCA
• Maintain a working knowledge of policies and procedures relating to safeguarding children and young people
• Working closely with remote community members, lifeguards and other staff members to ensure a safe environment
• Build strong working relationships and communicate with all YMCA and volunteer staff, YMCA customers and other external parties on a regular basis

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the Lifeguard team are adequately supervising the water space and are acting within the guidelines of the GSPO’s at all times
• Oversee all cleaning, maintenance and rubbish removal
• Responsible for all pool plant operation.
• Undertake regular Lifeguard shifts.
• Responsible for collecting and maintaining all appropriate management data and systems.
• Responsible for providing the volunteer team feedback on performance
• Work with Local Council to ensure the Pool grounds are kept clean and well maintained.
• Immediately respond to customer needs or concerns to ensure the quality of service is high.
• Responsible for rostering of volunteers.
• Provide leadership to the volunteer team.
• Liaises with Operations Manager and other Remote Pools Management staff on a regular basis
• Assist when necessary with the facilitation and administration of the Swimming Lessons and other aquatic programs scheduled
• Provide exceptional customer service at all times.
• Be professionally presented at all times.
• Lead health and safety on shift and adhere to all health and safety expectations and practices
• Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of the facilities Emergency Response Plan.
• Act as chief warden in an emergency situation, evacuating the site if required.
• Perform pool tests as required.
• Recognise pool water quality, plant room issues and act accordingly.
• Perform First Aid to the level at which you are trained and qualified.
• Build YMCA reputation by acting as a strong advocate for the YMCA within the local community.

Working Relationships

• Working closely with Operations Manager, all facility staff/ volunteers, NGO’s and Govt agencies as applicable
• Build strong working relationships and communicate with all YMCA staff (specifically the Operations Manager) YMCA customers and other external parties on a regular basis
• Deliver and attend staff meetings as required

Selection Criteria

Mandatory:

• Hold a valid Working with Children’s Card (Ochre card NT)
• Obtain a satisfactory Criminal History check
• Current NT driver’s license
• Well-developed communication and time management skills and the ability maintain rapport with persons from all levels within the organisation
• Sound computer literacy
• Strong understanding and knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety practices and the aquatic industry Current First Aid Certificate

Preferred:

• Pool Lifeguard Certificate (or able to obtain)
• Pool Plant Operations Certificate (or able to obtain)
• Previous experience with a Swim Lesson Program
• Austswim Certificate (desirable)
• Relevant industry experience

For any queries, please don't hesitate to contact [email protected] using the subject line: Pool Coordinator (voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs or call 0498 663 211.

The Y is offering the opportunity to assist successful candidates to obtain their Pool Lifeguard Certificate and Pool Plant Operations Certificate if they don't yet possess this. Ask us how we can support you to become qualified!