Hiring and Screening FAQIf you are thinking of applying for a position with the City of Ottawa as a Lifeguard or Swimming Instructor, there are certain hiring and screening requirements that must be met. See below for some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions people have before applying for these positions. What are the required entry-level qualifications? What are the required entry-level qualifications?National Lifeguard Service (NLS), Standard First Aid, CPR level-C, LifeSaving Society (LSS) Swim Instructor, LSS LifeSaving Instructor, Automated, External Defibrillation (AED) (preferred but not required) and Airway Management (preferred but not required). When are the hiring dates?Lifeguard and Instructor positions are typically posted twice per year at www.ottawa.ca/careers. For the Spring/Summer positions they are posted from early January to early February, and for Fall/Winter positions they are posted from June to July. I missed the hiring timelines. What should I do?While hiring priority will be given to those candidates who met the application deadline and attended a screening on time, facilities sometimes need more staff. If you have missed the deadline, drop off your résumé in person at the facility you want to apply to and/or email it to aquaticshiringteam@ottawa.ca What is a screening?The screening is a skills verification consisting of six items. Five of the six items are items you will have done either in your NLS or Standard First Aid Course. 20m head-up approach to a non-swimmer with a 5m carry (reach victim in 18 seconds or less); deep water spinal turnover with 15m carry; submerged victim recovery with removal; conscious to unconscious choking infant; recover 3, 20lb bricks (under 2:00); first aid (arterial bleed on inner forearm). 20m head-up approach to a non-swimmer with a 5m carry; deep water spinal turnover with 15m carry; submerged victim recovery with removal; first aid; 200m Swim (Male under 2:52, Female under 2:57); Brick recovery, hold at surface for 30 seconds; Swim 25m, tow for 25m (under 1:30); 25m head-up sprint followed by removal of three 20lb bricks (under 1:30); conscious to unconscious choking infant. Why must I complete a screening?The screening process is a risk management tool that the City of Ottawa uses. It allows your hiring supervisor to know that your skills meet the expected standard. When are the screenings?Centralized screenings occur twice per year, typically in late February/early March for the Spring and Summer sessions, and mid-August for the Fall and Winter sessions. For exact dates please contact aquaticshiringteam@ottawa.ca How should I prepare for a screening?While you should be able to complete the screening having just come out of NLS and Standard First Aid, we do recommend that you review the items well beforehand. Please note that many of the facilities we use for the screenings have a deeper deep-end than you may be used to. We encourage you to go to the pool where the screenings will be hosted and practice going to the bottom of their deepest point to ensure your success with the brick recovery item. What do I need to bring to the screening?Upon check-in, you will be asked to provide the originals of all the required qualifications to apply for the job, as well as a photocopy of each (note that not all facilities will have a photocopier, so please make sure you make copies before arriving at the facility). You may visit www.lifesavingsociety.com and “Check Your Qualifications” and print out your results. This is an acceptable copy of your qualifications provided all of them are listed. You will also need your bathing suit. Am I allowed to wear goggles to the screening?The use of goggles is NOT permitted at any time throughout the screening. This is to ensure the most realistic simulation of any situation possible. As no exceptions will be made, please come prepared with your glasses or an extra pair of contacts. What happens if I fail a screening item?While we hope that you are able to pass every item the first time, we will make every effort to give you a second chance to complete the item at the screening. If you are still unable to complete the item, the evaluator will recommend that you practice more and attend the next screening. There are two screening dates. Do I need to attend both?No. Once you pass one screening, you’re done. Space is limited, so register early. I have completed the screening. Now what?Each facility will have a representative present at the screening who will either interview you immediately, book an interview time for the week following the screening, or take your contact information and contact you at a later date for an interview. Am I allowed to apply at multiple facilities?Yes. Some facilities need more staff than others and some have different shifts available. Just inform your interviewer if you intend to apply at multiple facilities, especially if their facility is not your first choice of pools to work at. I have applied, completed the screening, and completed my interview. How do I know if I have a job?Each facility is different. We usually give about a week after the last screening for supervisors to have time to interview all of the applicants. We also like for you to be able to make an informed decision before choosing a facility to work at. As such, there is one date selected that all offers will go out on. You can ask your interviewer when you plan on hearing from them if you are selected for a job. For more information on applying for a Lifeguard or Swimming Instructor position, please contact the Program Coordinator at your local pool, or email the Aquatics Hiring Team at aqauticshiringteam@ottawa.ca. |
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