Aquatics Hot Topics: From Hiring to Promoting CPRS Aquatic Section

Today’s Hot Topic Experts Beth Frazer CPRS Aquatic Section President –Elect 2014 Nicole Van Winkle CPRS Aquatic Section Region 4 Rep 2014 Jenn Priest CPRS Aquatic Section President 2014 Jenni Worsham CPRS District 10 President 2013

Learning Outcomes Understand the hot topics regarding aquatics staffing Understand the hot topics regarding aquatics staffing Unite with fellow professionals to understand these topics and how to prepare your agency for success. Unite with fellow professionals to understand these topics and how to prepare your agency for success. Discuss the importance of hiring, evaluating and promoting and its impact on the recreation professional, programs and facilities. Discuss the importance of hiring, evaluating and promoting and its impact on the recreation professional, programs and facilities.

Hot Topic #1 Interviews Individual vs. Group Interviews Cosumnes Community Services District Assessment Center Cosumnes Community Services District Assessment Center Currently 75% are conducting individual interviews, the remaining 25% are doing group interviews or both

Background on Cosumnes CSD 110 Lifeguards 110 Lifeguards 60% return rate 60% return rate Hire about 45 Lifeguards each spring Hire about 45 Lifeguards each spring All Lifeguards teach swim lessons All Lifeguards teach swim lessons About 100 applications each spring About 100 applications each spring

CSD Interviews – the old way Interview each individual applicant Interview each individual applicant Scheduled every 15 minutes Scheduled every 15 minutes Interviews lasted almost a month! Interviews lasted almost a month!

CSD Interviews – the new way Assessment Centers Assessment Centers 2 Assessment Centers 2 Assessment Centers –Late April –Early May Water Assessment Water Assessment –Won’t interview non-swimmers –Won’t interview those who won’t show up to water assessment [10-15%] Applicants each Assessment Center Applicants each Assessment Center

Assessment Center 3 Stations: Question/Answer 3 Stations: Question/Answer –Get to know you –6 questions, everyone makes their own poster with the answers:  Tell us a little about yourself, what are some of your favorite scholastic and extra curricular activities, such as academic/special interest clubs, sports, and hobbies that would demonstrate your possession of skills and attributes we look for in employees.  Do you have any prior aquatic experience? [AND/OR] Do you have any previous job/volunteer experience?  What are your goals or aspirations for the future?  What goals and experiences do you hope to gain from working in this position at the CSD?  Without using a family member, who do you consider to be a great leader and role model that has a profound impact in your life and why?  Give an example of something you completed or accomplished and why you are proud of that particular project or activity.

Assessment Center 3 Stations: Individual Questions 3 Stations: Individual Questions –Group is asked a question, everyone must answer one question –Example Questions:  Explain why you want to work as a Lifeguard for the Cosumnes CSD?  What is your best definition of lifeguarding and what have you done to prepare to become a lifeguard?  Give two examples of aquatic programs that the CSD offers and the importance of these programs?  What skills and abilities relating to lifeguarding will you bring to this job?  It is hot and you’re tired while lifeguarding, explain what you will do to still give 100% to your job when you do not feel 100%?  Give an example of a pool rule and why pool rules are important to follow?  How would you enforce a rule to an adult?  Etc.

Assessment Center 3 Stations: Teach Backs 3 Stations: Teach Backs –Choose card with something to teach on it –5 minutes to prepare teach back –2-3 minutes to teach – must take entire time!  How to tie a shoe  How to braid hair  How to blow up a balloon  How to brush your teeth  How to throw a Frisbee  How to do a push up  How to blow a whistle  How to tie a knot  How to hula hoop  How to play “Rock Paper Scissors”  Come up with their own

Assessment Center In a station In a station –Written Questions  Do you understand… –Important Date Sheet  Fingerprinting  Drug Screen  Orientation, etc.

Hot Topic #2 Tryouts: Lifeguard Olympics What are we working with? Summer hiring practices Summer hiring practices What does Rookie School look like? What does Rookie School look like? Currently 95% are conducting an in-water tryout procedure as part of the interview process Currently 65% are requiring applicants to obtain their lifeguarding certification prior to interview/tryout

Lifeguard Olympics: A New Way to Evaluate

What are we working with? Technologically-savvy generation “It’s not my fault, you didn’t remind me.” Strong-willed – Positive and Negative effects Overstimulated environment Job vs. School confusion SO… how do we reach them?

Summer Hiring Practices- Day 1 Endurance – 500 yard swim Skill – Standard Brick Tow – Treading Water

Summer Hiring Practices- Day 2 Lifeguard Olympics What is it? Why is it important? What information will I gain? Is it too basic for evaluating lead staff? How is this different than information I gain at an interview?

Rookie School Format Lifeguard Olympics Theme – 3 teams – As many events as you desire – Team Medals given out for each event Skill Professionalism/Teamwork – Teams led by current lead staff Form bonds with future colleagues and superiors

Rookie School Format cont’d. Potential Events: – CPR – Rescue Skills – Spirit Competition – Team-Building Activities – EAP Drills – Real-Life First Aid – Relays

Rookie School Format cont’d. Event Formats: – Stations [our favorite] By team By pairs – Group Events Relays Spirit Competition Team-Building Activities

Rookie School Evaluation Evaluation Tools: – Skill level- assessed at each station by an LGI – Interaction with team Do they step up as a leader? [lead staff] Are they confident in their knowledge? – Interaction with their supervisors Do they accept constructive criticism? Can they correctly adjust their actions?

Rookie School Fun!

Hot Topic #3 Training & Staff Manuals How much time do you spend training your staff before their first shift? What topics are included in your pre-season training? What topics are included in your pre-season training? What topics do you include in your Staff Manual? What topics do you include in your Staff Manual? The average hours of in-service training that a Lifeguard receives before stepping on the stand for the first time is 28 hours

Staff Training Times Lifeguards & Instructors Lifeguards & Instructors –Staff Processing: 2 hours  HR Forms, When to Work –New Staff Orientation [Staff Manual]: 4 hours –Rookie [Shadow] Guard Training: 2 hours –New/First Year Returning Training: 4 hours –New/No Winter Training: 4 hours –All Staff In-Service: 7 hours Swim Instructors [WSI or Irvine Trained] Swim Instructors [WSI or Irvine Trained] –Swim Instructor Training: 6 hours –Instructor in Training: 16 hours+

Topics Included in Pre-Season Training Dry Topics: Dry Topics: –Job Expectations –Reporting to Work –Uniforms –Scheduling/Availability –Sick/No Show –Timesheets –Performance Evaluations –Emergency Action Plans –Programs Offered – Social Media Policy

Topics Included in Pre-Season Training Wet Topics: Wet Topics: –Emergency Action Plan –Site Specific Rescues –Program Specifics –Team Building Swim Instructor Topics [Wet & Dry]: Swim Instructor Topics [Wet & Dry]: –Disability Services –Name that Level –Level Specific Training –Instructor Staff Manual

Hot Topic #4 Evaluation & Promotion How often do you evaluate staff? How often do you evaluate staff? What tools do you use to evaluate staff? What tools do you use to evaluate staff? How do you prepare your staff for promotion? How do you prepare your staff for promotion? 60% are evaluating staff at least twice a year 40% are evaluating only once a year

Staff Evaluation Summer Only Programs: Summer Only Programs: –1-2 times a year Year-Round Programs: Year-Round Programs: –1-4 times a year Evaluation Formats: Evaluation Formats: –in-water only –written observation –parent/participant evaluation –performance evaluation

Staff Evaluation Tools HR Performance Evaluations Parent/Participant Evaluation How did you hear about our aquatics programs? How did you hear about our aquatics programs? What was the name of your child’s instructor & how would you rate them? What was the name of your child’s instructor & how would you rate them? How would you rate the registration process? How would you rate the registration process? How did you register for this swim class? How did you register for this swim class? Will you be returning next session and/or next summer? Will you be returning next session and/or next summer? How would you rate your overall experience with the Aquatics Program? How would you rate your overall experience with the Aquatics Program? Additional comments or suggestions? Additional comments or suggestions? Typically given 1-2 times a year Typically given 1-2 times a year Standard form that typically includes a combination of the following: Standard form that typically includes a combination of the following: –Job Knowledge / Quality of Work –Quantity of Work –Work Habits –Responsibility / Initiative –Problem Solving / Judgment –Communication –Personal Relations –Adaptability –Specific Performance Objectives –Other Skills & Abilities Based off of parent evaluations, additional observations and/or evaluations Based off of parent evaluations, additional observations and/or evaluations

Staff Evaluation Tools Lifeguard Swim Instructor

Staff Promotion Duty to prepare staff for the next level Duty to prepare staff for the next level New Responsibilities = Ownership, Motivation & Buy-In = Employee Retention New Responsibilities = Ownership, Motivation & Buy-In = Employee Retention Inform all staff of open promotional positions [internal & external] Inform all staff of open promotional positions [internal & external] How are you helping your staff to grow? How are you helping your staff to grow?

Team Train Application Process Application Process Additional Exposure and Training Additional Exposure and Training Lifeguards: Lifeguards: –Lead Rec Swim Guard –Co-Lead Bi-Monthly In-services –Station Lead at All Staff In-Services –Lead & Evaluate during Rookie Guard Training Instructors: Level 7 Instructors: Level 7 –Assist with instructor in-services –Train new swim instructors –Assist with class rosters –Assist with class quality control –Assist with first day class placement –Instructor in Training Progress Forms

Aquatic Section Social Thursday, March 6 th 6:00-8:00pm Misty’s Lounge Located in: DoubleTree Hotel TONIGHT