Skip navigation

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, & Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

Also called: Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard, Pool Attendant, Ski Patroller

Watch Career Video

What they do:
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
On the job, you would:
  • Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
  • Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
  • Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.

Knowledge

Business
  • customer service
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time
Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Visual Understanding
  • see hidden patterns
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Endurance
  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Instant messaging software
  • GroupMe
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
no high school diploma/GED or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Find Licenses Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$25,630
$19,180
$36,540
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.