Interested in working as a Swim Instructor/Lifeguard in the land of the rising sun. . . Japan (Summer, 2002)

Welcome to this Web site. It is designed to assist in the recruiting of students from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) to work as a Swim Instructor/Lifeguard at the MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) in Iwakuni, Japan during the summer of 2002. What is significant about this opportunity is, since 1997, approximately 20 students from UW-L have already taken advantage of this opportunity. This is a United States Marine Corp Air Station and the individuals you will be servicing are U.S. Military and Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian personnel stationed in Iwakuni, Japan.

To begin with, the necessary prerequisites to apply for Swim Instructor/Lifeguard position are as follows:
1. Minimum of 18 years of age with a valid driver's license good through the end of August 2001.
2. Current year Junior or Senior with at least two (2) years of practical, work related experience in the Recreation, Child Development, or related fields. Other students may be considered on a case by case basis, recommended by the University Representative.
3. American Red Cross certification in CPR, First Aid, Life guarding, and Water Safety Instruction through August 2002.
4. Must be willing to serve as both lifeguard and swimming instructor for the duration of the summer swimming program.
5. Must be able to obtain a passport at their own expense and report to MCAS Iwakuni at the end of May and not return to the states before the end of August.
6. Successfully clear a university performed local law enforcement criminal background check and health screening at their own expense. Necessary forms for the health screening will be provided.
7. Must be willing to sign an agreement to repay MCCS, MCAS Iwakuni for any and all expenses incurred regarding the cancellation of this employment prior to the end of August 2002, due to any illegal activity, disciplinary action resulting from unprofessional behavior, misrepresentation of the United States, or reasons other than confirmed personal or family emergencies. The American Red Cross must verify all family emergencies.
8. Must provide a resume.

With the above in mind, and if you are interested in applying, please review the following information by clicking on the topic areas:

1. Welcome from MCAS Iwakuni	by Sean G. Kim Han Sr. MCCS Aquatics Program Specialist
2. General Information about the program	Swim Instructor/Lifeguard Prerequisites Summer Swim Program Overview Daily Schedule for Summer Swim Program
3. Frequently asked Questions	Questions on Medical, Money, Miscellaneous, Transportation, Weather, Clothing/Personal Items, Aquatics Program, Housing, Personnel, MCAS Iwakuni
4. Memorandum of Understanding	Please review this document as you will be required to initial and sign a copy of this document.
5. What previous students have said about their experiences at Iwakuni	Click here
6. WWW Links to the Iwakuni Area in Japan and currency exchange (The Japanese currency is a Yen)	MCAS Iwakuni Home page, Iwakuni, Japan Good Points in Iwakuni, Japan City of Iwakuni, Japan Foreign Currency Exchange Weather Forecast (Iwakuni Japan)
7. Contacts:	At UW-L: Dr. Trisha Ardovino 134 Wittich Hall Telephone: 608.785.8217 Fax: 608.785.8206 E-mail: ardovino.patr@uwlax.edu At MCAS Iwakuni: Sean G. Kim Han Sr. MCCS Aquatics Program Specialist PHONE: (011) 81-6117-53-4966 FAX: (01 I) 81-0827-22-7147 E-mail: kimhans@iwakuni.usmc.mil
8. Time Difference information:	Japan is now 13 hours ahead of Wisconsin during Central Standard Time (CST) and 12 hours ahead during Central Daylight Saving Time in the Summer. i.e. 12:00 noon (CST) is 3:00 a.m. the next day (tomorrow).

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Ardovino or any of the current UW-L students who worked as Swim Instructors/Lifeguards (Dr. Ardovino can provide you with the e-mail addresses of these individuals) at MCAS Iwakuni during previous Summers:

Process and Deadlines:
1. Information released to Therapeutic Recreation Students, Recreation Management Students and students with other majors (November 5, 2001).
2. After reviewing this home page and the above links, if you have the necessary qualifications to apply and interested, please e-mail Dr. Ardovino of your interest.
3. After contacting Dr. Ardovino via e-mail of your interest, he will reply to your e-mail and inform you to pick up a packet of information on her door at his office in room 134, Wittich Hall.
4. Submit the following to Dr. Ardovino not later than 12:00 noon, Friday, December 7, 2001:

a. Resume (At the very minimum, your resume should include your previous experience working with children, aquatics credentials and experience, previous background traveling overseas, your college educational major, telephone number (for January and February) and e-mail address.

b. Memorandum of Understanding (initialed and signed)

5. Interviews will be during the month of January via telephone. Be sure you have access to your e-mail and will be checking your e-mail as arrangements for this telephone interview will be made via e-mail.
6. You will be informed if you have been selected for the job not later than January 31, 2001. Immediately upon being selected, you need to pick up (from Dr. Ardovino's office) all required forms necessary to be completed including:

a. Application for employment form

b. Preemployment Medical History form Health and Medical examination form (be sure you obtain an immunization record and your immunizations are current)

c. Background check form

d. You will be required to submit a copy of each of the following certificates (American Red Cross certification in CPR, First Aid, Life guarding, and Water Safety Instructor current through August 2002)

7. All required forms must to be completed and submitted to Dr. Ardovino not later than March 1, 2002, who will then forward the forms to MCCS.
8. If you do not have a passport, you need to immediately begin the process of obtaining a passport. Check with your nearest post office for details and also ask the amount of time it takes to process a passport. This is important as your official orders to travel will not be made until you have an official passport. When you have a passport, bring your passport to Dr. Ardovino so she can make a copy of the first page and forwarded it to MCCS to begin processing your orders.
9. You will receive your airline tickets and a list of others who have been selected before the last day of Spring semester classes.

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Last updated: October 10, 2001