Senior Lifeguard

Come join our team of passionate, hard-working, and creative individuals in the City of Poway's Community Services Department. If you want to make a difference and enjoy working outdoors, the Senior Lifeguard position is for you!

The person hired for the Senior Lifeguard position will receive an additional 5% wage increase on 7/1/2026.

Ensures safety of public patrons, staff, and facility through supervision of pool areas, training staff and preventative maintenance.  Evaluates staff knowledge and skills for lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid, AED, Title 22 and swim lesson instruction.  Enforces all policies needed for successful facility safety and ensures that subordinate staff follow set procedures regarding maintenance and programming.

Receives general supervision from the Recreation Area Manager or assigned supervisor.  May exercise technical and functional supervision and provide training to lower-level staff, contractors, and volunteers.

• Acts as lifeguard during pool hours and at all events held at the pool.
• Instructs swim lesson classes in conjunction with the local American Red Cross unit; assesses swim lesson participants and makes recommendations on correct class placements; serves as the first point of contact for parents regarding the progression of their child in swim lessons and addresses any concerns the parents have regarding the classes and program.
• Assists the Recreation Area Manager and/or assigned supervisor with training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating all part time staff and volunteers.
• Supervises and assigns staff during work shifts in the absence of the Recreation Area Manager and/or assigned supervisor.
• Assists in developing and coordinating aquatics programs and lessons.
• Makes recommendations regarding necessary equipment and supplies; purchases supplies for events and pool maintenance as needed.
• Maintains program records and prepares reports as required.
• Evaluates emergency situations and acts decisively and effectively to resolve the situation.
• Implements and enforces City policies, rules, and procedures.
• Listens and responds to patrons' needs for assistance or information and provides the public with general information, in person and over the phone.
• Removes and replaces pool covers, tests the temperature, chlorine, and pH values of the pool water, and performs routine pool area maintenance as required.
• Responds to first aid emergencies and administers basic first aid and/or CPR as necessary.
• Documents all incidents involving injury, behavioral problems, and/or any unusual event; communicates as appropriate to supervisor, parent, and others.
• Performs basic custodial duties and routine facility maintenance, including repairs and preventative maintenance of the deck, pool, equipment, office, and locker rooms.
• Monitors facility use; opens, closes, and secures building for events and assists in the supervision and preparation of the facility and amenities for patron use.
• Assists in the encouragement of participation and good sportsmanship and issues and collects recreation equipment and supplies.
• Performs a variety of clerical or technical tasks in support of City programs, including screening calls, and patrons, responding to complaints and requests for information, assisting in interpreting and applying regulations, policies, procedures, systems, rules, and precedents in response to inquiries and complaints from public, performing cashiering duties, and maintaining a variety of accurate logs, records, and files.
• Leads and conducts diversified recreation activities including birthday parties, water-oriented games, water exercise, and community events; sets up and takes down equipment for facility rentals and community events.
• Performs minor repairs and maintenance to pool equipment and facilities.
• Assists with community events, including setting up and taking down and facilitating activities.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification.

Experience: Six months of lifeguarding experience.

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.

Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possess and maintain lifeguarding certification.
• Possess and maintain a First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certificate.
• Possess and maintain a First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) certificate or an Emergency Medical Response certificate or obtain within six months of hire.
• Possess and maintain a Lifeguarding Instructor certificate or must obtain within six months of hire.
• Possess and maintain a Water Safety Instructor certificate or must obtain within six months of hire. 
  
  Physical Demands:
  Must possess the ability to perform work that may involve lifting children through adults, in and out of the pool up to 150 pounds or more with assistance, pulling a cover over the pool surface with assistance, and lifting, straightening and moving pool deck furniture and equipment.  Need the mobility to stand, stoop, reach, bend, climb, and swim, while in swimwear.  Must be in good physical condition to stay in water for prolonged periods of time, work in the extreme heat and/or cold, and the outdoors.  Vision, which may be corrected; and hearing, which must be in a normal range as measured by a standard audiogram, should be good enough to see and hear adults and children in life and/or health safety endangering situations.  Must also possess the mobility to work in an office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office and duplicating equipment and cash register.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  
  
  Environmental Elements:
  Employees work outdoors and are exposed to variable weather conditions.  May be exposed to chlorine, acids, and other chemicals at aquatics facilities, as well as blood and body fluids when rendering first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  
  
  Working Conditions:
  May be required to work various shifts including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Salary : $56,748 - $68,988