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Career Exploration

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

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

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.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

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

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

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Instant messaging software

  • GroupMe

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $27,270

Education

No high school diploma/GED or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.