Volunteer Lifeguard: Littlehampton to Bognor Regis

Volunteer Lifeguard: Littlehampton to Bognor Regis

Lifeguard Region
South Coast
Closing Date
30-06-2024
Reference
V17235
Documents (please view all documents)

Are you a newly qualified lifeguard looking for some practical experience?  Or maybe you are an experienced lifeguard looking to help out in your free time? 

We have opportunities available for Volunteer Lifeguards who will patrol alongside our employed Lifeguards to help in the provision of a professional lifeguard service around the coast of England, Wales, Jersey and Northern Ireland.

The RNLI has been operating a lifeguard service in the UK since 2001 and it's now an integral part of our commitment to saving lives at sea. The expansion of our service continues, in 2023 the RNLI will be patrolling over 200 beaches.

As part of a world-class organisation, Volunteer Lifeguards must be prepared to uphold the values of the RNLI and present a helpful and courteous front to the public. With such a varied coastline around the UK, the duties can differ between beaches. Busy resort beaches full of holidaymakers will require surveillance of the area through patrolling or from static lifeguard units, using rescue boards and/or rescue tubes when required.  Semi - rural beaches that are popular with surfers may require the use of all-terrain vehicles and rescue watercraft to allow full coverage of the area.

If you have the skills and passion to become an RNLI volunteer lifeguard for the 2023 season, we want to hear from you.

As a volunteer lifeguard it’s essential that you hold a valid ILS recognised beach lifeguard qualification and be able to demonstrate the required level of fitness and competency as outlined here https://summerjobs.rnli.org/become-a-lifeguard/requirements-and-training, excellent rescue and people skills, and maintain your professionalism (refer to this table for equivalent overseas qualifications that will be accepted).

In addition, you will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) / police check and complete a health and eyesight checks.

To be an RNLI volunteer lifeguard, you must be at least school leaving age. The RNLI is bound by Safeguarding practices and therefore some RNLI operational areas will have fewer posts available for under 18s. Non-EU residents will need to provide documentation from the UK Boarder agency stating their right to volunteer in the UK /ROI

Although the RNLI will be flexible in terms of the time commitment for this volunteer role, we would ideally be looking for a contribution of around 80 hours across the season.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced criminal records check.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; ensuring the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.  We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero tolerance approach to proven incidents of bullying, abuse, harassment  or exploitation.  The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for nearly 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.

This is a volunteer opportunity within the RNLI.  RNLI volunteers are people who, unpaid and of their own free will, contribute their time, energy and skills to support the purposes of the RNLI.  RNLI volunteers may perform a variety of tasks and duties, under direction and guidance, using their skills, knowledge and time to help the RNLI best achieve its objectives.

We respect and honour our volunteers by building trust and understanding.  Such a partnership is not intended to be a legally binding contract or to have mutuality of obligation, but instead express a voluntary two-way commitment where everyone gains satisfaction from being part of our organisation.