What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Safety Instructor, PT (continuous) position at City of Oakland?
***Continuous Recruitment***
Recruitment may close at any time. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland's Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department?
With an emphasis on Oakland’s youth, the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) Department, and its partners will provide best-in-class, relevant, and equitable programs and services, while meeting the specific needs of people and communities both at the neighborhood level and regionally throughout the City of Oakland. We achieve this mission through intentional engagement and by removing the barriers that prohibit equitable opportunities for all. OPRYD believes that communities thrive when they play with a purpose. Our purpose is to Expose, Enlighten, Empower, and Encourage Educational Excellence through recreational experiences.
Water Safety Instructors perform a variety of duties at the City's pools including swimming instruction, coordination of the Water Safety Instruction (WSI) program, and other aquatic activities.
For a list of all OPRYD Pools click here
We are looking for someone who is:
- Customer service oriented and known for providing exceptional customer service, going above and beyond to meet customer needs, and leaving a lasting impression on their experience.
- A team player who is a strong collaborator and skilled at building meaningful connections across departments and divisions, and throughout the community with a commitment to achieving OPRYD’s mission.
- Interested in community engagement and enthusiastic about playing an active role in the Oakland community.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Ensuring pool patrons' safety and well-being by enforcing rules, preventing accidents, and administering first aid
- Providing swimming lessons to all ages and abilities, following American Red Cross guidelines
- Supervising and directing Water Safety Aides in the "Learn-to-swim" program
- Assisting the Pool Manager in coordinating and implementing water safety instruction
- Completing all necessary records, including accident reports, and time slips
- Aiding in patron registration for swim classes and maintaining positive community relations
Read the complete job description by clicking here.
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job:
- You will be part of a fun team
- You will engage with community members and build positive relationships
- Your work will result in a safer environment for all
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will need handle customer complaints
- You may have to travel to multiple/various sites/recreation centers
Competencies Required:
- Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
- Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
- Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying, preventing and addressing health risks and safety hazards
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable:
Experience:
One year of aquatics experience. Previous experience as a swim coach or competitive swimmer is highly desirable.
Certifications:
Current Red Cross certifications in Water Safety Instruction, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for Lifeguards with AED or CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED
Please scan and attach these required certifications to your application. Failure to submit these required certifications will result in disqualification from the selection process.
Other Requirements:
Candidates must be at least seventeen (17) years or older to apply.
Candidates who receive offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance and have a physical examination including a TB screening.
Work Permits:
Minors will be subject to state guidelines and restrictions governing their employment while employed with the City of Oakland. This shall include applicable work permits, records, hours worked, and time reporting guidelines. Minors seeking information regarding work permits should contact their local school district. When applicable, work permits must be obtained prior to beginning employment.
This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to OPRYD for further consideration.
Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
| Date | Time | Location |
| Monday, January 5, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Sunday, March 22, 2026(Spring Hiring) | 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM | DeFremery Pool |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Sunday, April 12, 2026(Summer Hiring) | 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM | DeFremery Pool |
| Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Friday, June 12, 2026 | 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | DeFremery Pool |
| Friday, July 11, 2025 | 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | DeFremery Pool |
| Wednesday, August 16, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, September 10, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Friday, September 19, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Monday, October 13, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
| Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Temescal Pool |
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Jasmine Bellow at jbellow@oaklandca.gov.
Salary : $25 - $29