Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes to provide assistance and protection to participants.

Median Annual Wage: $19,090

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (43%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Lifeguard; Ski Patroller; Swim Instructor; Pool Attendant; Water Safety Instructor (WSI); Ocean Lifeguard; Ocean Lifeguard Specialist; Beach Lifeguard; Marine Safety Officer; Pool Lifeguard

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers.

More Protective Service Careers

  • Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
  • Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
  • Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
  • Patrol or monitor recreational areas such as trails, slopes, and swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
  • Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
  • Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
  • Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers.

  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers.

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