CORK COUNTY COUNCIL BEACH LIFEGUARD SUMMER SEASON 2019 Garryvoe Youghal (Front Strand, Claycastle & Redbarn) Owenahincha Barleycove Inchydoney Rosscarbery (Warren) - Skibbereen (Tragumna) - Garretstown Garrylucas - Fountainstown A. RECRUITMENT Candidates will be required to undergo a practical test in resuscitation, swimming ability and swimming rescue together with an oral test. Successful candidates at the test will also be invited to attend for interview. Each candidate will be liable for any expenses incurred by him/her in attending for the test and/or interview as applicable. 1. Character 2. Age Each candidate must be of good character. B. QUALIFICATIONS Each candidate must be not less than 17 years of age on 23 rd March, 2019. (Original Birth Certificate must be presented at time of Interview) 3. Health Each successful candidate at the practical test and interview who is being considered for appointment may be required to undergo a medical examination at their own expense. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate. The medical practitioner will be nominated by the Local Authority. Defects reported as a result of this examination in respect of vision or other such matters shall be rectified before appointment. 4. Qualifications Each Candidate must: (i) be not less than 17 years of age on Saturday, 23 rd March, 2019; (ii) hold a current valid Beach Lifeguard Award from the Irish Water Safety Association or equivalent; (iii) have thorough knowledge of resuscitation including Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. Good verbal communication skills are required. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: C. FURTHER INFORMATION SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, FOLLOWING THE SWIM & RESUSCITATION TEST, MUST BRING (1) ORIGINAL CURRENT VALID BEACH LIFEGUARD AWARD OR EQUIVALENT, (2) ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND (3) GARDA VETTING DOCUMENTS TO ATTEND AT INTERVIEW. APPLICANTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED FOR BOTH SENIOR LIFEGUARD AND LIFEGUARD POSITIONS FROM WHICH PANELS FOR BOTH WILL BE FORMED. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DUTY FOR THE FOLLOWING: o WEEKENDS IN JUNE 2019 (start date: 1 st June 2019) o FULL-TIME FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST 2019 o FOR WEEKENDS ONLY DURING THE PERIOD 1 ST SEPTEMBER TO 15 th SEPTEMBER 2019
PARTICULARS OF POST 1. The post is temporary. 2. Hours of Duty Beach Lifeguards must be on duty from 10.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. with a half hour off for lunch daily: 5½ days each week. In an area where two Beach Lifeguards are employed, days off are to be operated on a rotational basis, but may not include Saturday, Sunday, Bank or Church Holidays. 3. Wages Senior Beach Guard: 15.50 basic per hour Beach Guard: 13.58 basic per hour 4. Season Duty 2019 comprises of the following: Each weekend (Saturday & Sunday) in June commencing on Saturday, 1 st June 2019 (June Bank Holiday Weekend, including the Bank Holiday Monday, 3 rd June, 2019) Full-time work commencing on Monday, 1 st July, 2019 until Sunday, 1 st September, 2019, both dates inclusive Weekends only in September, i.e. 7 th and 8 th, and 14 th and 15 th September, 2019. 5. Accommodation arrangements must be made by the individual Beach Lifeguard and please note the Council will not provide same at any location. Camping by Beach Lifeguards is prohibited at the Beach and surrounding area. 6. Time Off: Time off outside of normal rostered time off will not be granted to beach lifeguards unless the request is for exceptional, extraordinary reasons, and is submitted in writing for approval (by post or email) at least 2 weeks in advance, or is force majeure (as defined in Parental Leave Act 1998). Employment is for the 2019 Season and applicants should be available for the entire Season. Only exception is where applicants are doing school/college examinations. 7. Training: It is mandatory that you attend an Induction Training Day, Manual Handling and Child Safeguarding Training.
D. GENERAL DUTIES OF BEACH GUARDS 1. All equipment must be checked daily (each morning) to see that it is in working order and ready for use. Any defects notified should be reported immediately to the Cork County Council. 2. Indication flags should be placed in prominent positions. The following flag system is to be used: (a) (b) (c) Red flag signifies that bathing is considered temporarily unsafe. Red over yellow flag signifies that bathing between any two such flags is under supervision of Beach Lifeguard. No flag is flown if there is no Beach Lifeguard on duty. 3. Where Beach Lifeguards have to leave to partake of meals, arrangements should be made that one Beach Lifeguard will be on duty during the other s absence for such purpose and to patrol his/her area in addition to his/her own. Where one Beach Lifeguard only is employed, the following procedure should be adopted regarding the lunch hour:- (a) (b) No flag should be flown when he/she is off duty for his/her meal. The meal must be arranged at a time other than the peak bathing hours. 4. The Beach Lifeguard must keep the area under observation constantly. 5. Beach Lifeguards must always be courteous to bathers and give them the necessary information regarding state of tides, currents and parts of strand which are not safe for bathing. 6. If, in the Beach Lifeguard s opinion, bathers are about to enter water at a point which is considered dangerous owing to currents, shifting sands, etc., they should immediately warn them and give the reasons. 7. Complete Log Book Beach Lifeguards should enter on the log book, times of commencing and ceasing duty, morning, meal-time and evening, each day and should make a note of any incident such as rescues, etc. The Log Book should be available at all times for inspection by any duly authorised member of the County Council s staff. 8. Beach Lifeguards are primarily responsible to the Cork County Council for the performance of their duties and they should not act on instructions of any other person or persons except those of the Divisional Manager, County Council Water Safety Officer, Area Engineer or persons duly authorised. 9. The Beach Lifeguards will be required to keep an Accident and Incident Record Book. 10. The Senior Beach Lifeguard at each location will, in addition to carrying out all of the duties, etc., of Beach Guard (including taking full part in any roster arrangements), be responsible for ensuring that the Beach Lifeguards at his location comply fully with the terms of the duties, responsibilities and general regulations of the post. 13. Candidates successful at Interview will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, which will be directly arranged by Cork County Council. Applicants will be required to complete a Garda Vetting Invitation Form and Parental Consent Form (where applicable). 14. You will be required to attend any training arranged by Cork County Council.
FURTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To provide water samples from Blue Flag Beaches and designated beaches, for the Water Quality Section, Environment Department, at various times over the summer season. 2. To provide constant observation and supervision of activities at public bathing places in order to prevent drowning accidents. 3. To provide emergency rescue service in the case of accidents. 4. To render first aid when possible. 5. To provide advice to the public regarding facilities, state of tides, currents, parts of beach which are not safe for bathing, hazards, water safety etc. To proactively implement this, including but not restricted to, by carrying out Public Relations & Educational patrols during quiet times. 6. If in the Beach Lifeguard s opinion, bathers are about to enter water at a point which is considered dangerous owing to currents, shifting sands etc., they should immediately warn them and give them reasons. Practice a philosophy of prevention over reaction in carrying out the service. 7. To ensure that from the start of the duty period that the appropriate flags are flown and are changed or re-located as necessary during the day. 8. To inspect all lifesaving and first aid equipment on arrival for duty to ensure that adequate stocks are available and in good working order. 9. To inspect the patrol area and where possible to remove any dangerous or offensive items. If the lifeguard cannot deal with the matter he should immediately report to his supervisor. 10. To record in a daily log book: a. The names and attendance times of all guards on duty. b. The general weather and tidal conditions. c. What flags were flown and when they were changed during the day. d. Any information which may assist the Authorities in improving the service. 11. To complete all appropriate rescue and first aid forms. 12. To ensure at the conclusion of the duty period each evening that all flags are removed and that all equipment is checked and securely stored in the appropriate place. 13. To ensure that the lifeguard station is kept clean and tidy and in a state of readiness for emergencies. 14. To ensure that except for emergency assistance or official business, no one other than lifeguard personnel is permitted in the lifeguard station. 15. To maintain a high level of fitness, and proficiency in techniques and in the use of equipment. (Sound judgement must be used if training is undertaken during the duty period. Such activities are only permitted in quiet times and then only if sufficient lifeguards are available to supervise the area). 16. To be courteous in all dealings with the public. 17. To ensure that at all times personal conduct is above reproach and that any activity which may discredit the lifeguard service by lessening public confidence or respect, is not engaged in.
18. Punctuality must be observed. Lifeguards should report to their station at least five minutes before the shift is due to start so as to be fully attired and ready for duty. 19. No changes in shift schedules or duty periods shall be made without authority and permission of the Water safety Development Officer or Personnel Department. 20. Uniform dress, as decided by the Local Authority, shall be worn at all times while on duty. It should not be worn off duty or anywhere other than the allocated patrol areas. 21. Lifeguards must at all times be alert. Reading, playing cards, participating in beach games and other such pastimes and the use of any audio equipment is not permitted. 22. Unnecessary conversations with the public must be discouraged as laxity in observation on the part of the lifeguard will result. Lifeguards should be courteous when addressed but conversations must be curtailed. 23. Lifeguards on duty and in uniform shall always have in their possession a can buoy or rescue tube, whistle and two-way radio. 24. Where there are two or more lifeguards in an area one should stay near the station while the other is on patrol. Brief reports should be exchanged when they meet but lifeguards should never be seen to congregate together or with other groups. 25. Only lifeguard personnel are permitted to use any lifesaving or first aid equipment, or any of the facilities of the station, with the exception of back-up services. 26. Lifeguards are not permitted to participate in any commercial operation in their area, i.e. the sale or rental of any equipment or service, etc. 27. If a lifeguard becomes ill or suffers any disability which might impair efficiency he/she must report same immediately to supervisor to arrange for relief guard. 28. Lifeguards should not, in their own interests, make any statements to the news media or to the public on any incident or accident which occurs in their area, but should refer such questions to the Local Authority. 29. No intoxicating drink or unauthorised drugs shall be taken into the lifeguard station, nor be consumed or used by the lifeguard during their period of duty. To report for duty with a smell of drink from the breath can give a very bad impression to the public and is to be discouraged. 30. The respect and confidence of the public is essential if the lifeguard is to perform his/her duties efficiently. It is to the lifeguards advantage that he/she appear on duty well groomed and dressed in clean uniform. 30. When requested by the Area Office/Engineer the Beachguards are to assist in opening and closing the public toilets at the start and end of their shift or at an agreed time. The Beachguards are also to report on the condition of the toilets in their Log Books and notify the Area Office in the case of serious uncleanliness or damage. 31. At appropriate times when checking the ring buoys and other safety equipment on the beach the Beachguards would endeavour to pick up any litter while going along the beach, without compromising public safety. 32. Lifeguards will be required to carry out any other duties required by Cork County Council. PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT February 2019