Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?
 The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.
 
 The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 203 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost 63 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org The Department is recruiting for part-time, unbenefited Lifeguard and Instructor Lifeguard positions in the Recreation Services Division (RS) for the Citywide Aquatics programming.
 
The Lifeguard classification is covered by the Minimum Wage Police and pay starts at $17.55 hourly.
The Instructor Lifeguard classification is covered by the Pay Floor Rate and pay starts at $28.04 hourly.

These positions may be required to work variable shifts between the hours of 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Monday – Saturday during the dates of June 17, 2024 - August 10, 2024. Additionally, a MANDATORY training for both Lifeguard and Instructor Lifeguard positions will take place starting the week of June 10, 2024 - June 14, 2024, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. These positions are part-time, unbenefited with a limit of less than 20 hours per week or less than 1,040 hours per year. There is no guarantee of hours or longevity. All programs adhere to Santa Clara County, Public Health guidelines to ensure the health and well-being of staff. Face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment are provided. Staff may assist with daily health screenings, cleaning, and sanitization in City programs following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. 
 
Note: Candidates are not required to possess the Lifeguard Training certificate at the time of completing the application or to interview for the position. If selected for the position of Lifeguard, the Citywide Aquatics program will offer Lifeguard Training certification classes on March 30-31st, April 20-21st, and May 18-19, 2024, if needed. If selected for the position of Instructor Lifeguard, the Citywide Aquatics program will be offering Lifeguard Training and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor's (WSI) certification classes, if needed. The American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certification age requirement is at least 15 years oldand the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification age requirement is at least 16 years old.

If selected to move forward in the conditional offer process, the Lifeguard certification pre course swimming skills test that consists of the following:

• a 300-yard swim using front crawl or breaststroke.
• a 2-minute tread using legs only
• the ability to retrieve a 10-lb dive weight from 7 ft deep, to the surface and swim 20 yds with the weight, using legs only and exit the pool without using a ladder within 100 seconds. 

 
Lifeguard:
Lifeguards supervise the conduct of swimmers to maintain safety in the swimming pool. Lifeguards also enforce swimming pool rules and may participate in swim instruction programs; observe swimmers in swimming pools; provide warnings to those who violate the safety rules of the pool and expelling them, if necessary, because of willful disobedience of the rules; rescues swimmers who are in distress; and administers artificial respiration when necessary, according to the prescribed method. Lifeguards may also train and direct the work of lower-level workers as assigned and participate in pool maintenance. Possession of a current American Red Cross Lifeguard Training’s Authorization Certificate is REQUIRED for the position of Lifeguard. 
 
Instructor Lifeguard:
In addition to the duties identified for Lifeguards, Instructor Lifeguards also organize and conduct swimming instruction classes for beginners, intermediate, or advanced swimmers at a swimming pool. Duties will include teaching swimming to children, adult individuals, and groups. Instructor Lifeguards may officiate at competitive swim meets. Instructor Lifeguards must also be able to instruct in the techniques of swimming and lifesaving. Possession of a current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor’s Authorization Certificate (WSI) is REQUIRED for the position of Instructor Lifeguard.
 
Lifeguard and Instructor Lifeguards may be placed at any of the City pools. Currently, the City of San José is hiring for four pools at the following locations:

Camden Community Center: 3369 Union Ave., San José, CA 95124
 
Fair Swim Center: 1350 Bacchus Dr., San José, CA 95122
 Mayfair Community Center: 2039 Kammerer Ave., San José, CA 95116
 
Rotary Ryland Pool: 421 North First St., San José, CA 95112
 
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment. Lifeguard
Experience
No minimum requirement.
 
Acceptable Substitutions
None.
 Required Licensing
 Possession of a valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding – BL or Lifeguarding certificate at the time of appointment.
 
Instructor Lifeguard
Experience
No minimum requirement.
 
Acceptable Substitutions
None.
 
Licenses/Certificates
Possession of current certificate indicating successful completion of an approved course in Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer (CPR/FPR) as prescribed by the American Red Cross or as prescribed by the American Heart Association; B.C.L.S. – C with a completion date less than one year old at the time of appointment.Possession of a current Lifeguard Training Certificate.Possession of current certificate in First Aid, as prescribed by the State Department of Health, at the time of appointment.Possession of current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor’s Authorization Certificate (WSI).The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
 
Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
 
-Knowledge of approved lifesaving methods for water safety and rescue of swimmers.
-Ability to swim skillfully and able to swim 50 meters without assistance in a pool depth of 8ft or more. 
-Ability to immediately evaluate an emergency situation and to act decisively and effectively. 
-Experience in lifeguarding, swimming instruction, and/ or related activity.
-Ability to administer artificial respiration according to the prescribed method.
-Ability to handle crowds and direct individuals and groups. 
-Knowledge of swimming and the techniques of teaching swimming to children and adult individuals and groups (Instructor Lifeguard ONLY).
-Ability to instruct in the techniques of swimming and lifesaving (Instructor Lifeguard ONLY). 
 
Reliability: Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
 
Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor. 
 
Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally, and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts. 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
 
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies via email at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov.