Lifeguard

Salary: $20.79 - $25.27 Hourly
Location : City of Poway, CA
Job Type: Part time - temporary
Job Number: 26-35
Department: Community Services
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Definition
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 Lifeguard position is for you!

This part-time, temporary, at-will position performs a variety of work in connection with programs and activities of an aquatic facility, including teaching swim lessons and classes, explaining and enforcing swimming programs and pool policies, regulations, and rules and ensuring the safety of pool patrons; performs rescues and first aid as necessary.

Receives general supervision from the Recreation Area Manager or assigned supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Key Responsibilities
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Acts as lifeguard during pool hours and at all events held at the pool and administers minor first aid.
• 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.
• Administers basic first aid and CPR as necessary.
• 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.
• Assists in community service community events, including setting up and taking down and facilitating activities.
• Purchases supplies for events and pool maintenance as needed.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Responds to first aid emergencies as needed.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

When performing the Swim Instructor assignment:

• Instructs swim lesson classes.
• 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.

When performing the Lead Lifeguard assignment:

• 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 Supervisor and/or assigned supervisor.
• Makes recommendations regarding necessary equipment and supplies;
• Maintains program records and prepares reports as required.
• Evaluates emergency situations and acts decisively and effectively to resolve the situation.
• Documents all incidents involving injury, behavioral problems, and/or any unusual event; communicates as appropriate to supervisor, parent, and others.

Minimum Requirements/License or Certificates Required

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

Previous paid or volunteer experience as a lifeguard in a swimming pool or aquatic facility is desirable.
Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade is desirable. Must be at least 16 years old.
Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid class C driver's license or the ability to arrange alternate and timely means of transportation in the performance of assigned duties.
• Possess and maintain a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification or must be enrolled in a certification course at time of application and receive certification by time of hire.
• Possess and maintain a current American Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Certificate or must be enrolled in a certification course at time of application and receive certification by time of hire.
• Possess and maintain a First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) Certificate or must obtain within one year of hire.

When performing the Swim Instructor assignment:
Possess and maintain a Water Safety Instructor Certificate issued by the American Red Cross.
When performing the Lead Lifeguard assignment:

• One year of experience equivalent to Lifeguard in the City of Poway, which is considered 999 hours.
• Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.
• Possess and maintain a First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) certificate or an Emergency Medical Response certificate.
• Complete and pass test and interview with Recreation Area Manager.
• Possession of a Lifeguarding Instructor certificate is desirable.
• Possession of a Pool Operator certificate is desirable.

Employees working a Swim Instructor or Lead Lifeguard shift shall be entitled to receive shift differential pay of 15% in addition to their regular rate of pay.

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.
Examination Process
A FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATION, INCLUDING RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AND ATTACHMENT OF ALL NECESSARY CERTIFICATIONS, ARE REQUIRED AND PART OF THE REVIEW AND QUALIFYING PROCESS. QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED COMPLETELY; REFERENCING YOUR RESUME IN LIEU OF ANSWERING A QUESTION WILL BE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training and experience as presented in the application and supplemental questions. The following criteria will be used in the screening process: Writing Skills (grammar, spelling, punctuation) - suitable and appropriate for position; Work Experience - consistent, compatible and applicable for the position; and Supplemental Questions - content is inclusive and congruent with the position. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. A background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, pre-employment physical that includes a drug screening and tuberculosis screening, reference checking, and verification of previous employment and education are required. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The City of Poway participates in E-Verify. All employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath to the United States and the State of California Constitution at time of hire.
An employee who is classified in a temporary status is not entitled to benefits other than those mandated by federal law. These benefits include paid sick leave (PSL) as well as participation in Medicare, Worker's Compensation, and the Public Agency Retirement Service Alternate Retirement System.

Sick Leave - In accordance with the Healthy Workplace, Healthy Family Act of 2014 (i.e., AB 1522) all non-regular, temporary, seasonal, paid interns, and on-call employees will receive 24 hours of paid sick leave (PSL) upon hire. PSL will be available for use beginning on each employee's 90th day of employment. Thereafter, in each pay period that includes July 1, employees will receive a new 24 hour lump-sum of PSL. Any remaining PSL hours will not carry over.
01


APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The City of Poway's Human Resources Department uses email to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their employment application. As an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. It is your responsibility to ensure the email address you provide is current and readily accessible to you. 2. It is your responsibility to check your email to ensure that you do not miss any deadlines established as part of the recruitment process. 3. It is your responsibility to read all City emails carefully and follow instructions, if any. If you have any questions or experience any technical difficulties, you are encouraged to contact our office, View phone number on click.appcast.io, during the City's posted business hours, or NEOGOV customer support at View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance; however, you must do so prior to the passing of any established deadlines.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

02


Your responses to the questions below will be used to determine your eligibility to advance in the recruitment. An incomplete application and/or referencing your resume in lieu of answering any of the supplemental questions will be cause for disqualification from the recruitment process. Changes cannot be made to your application once it is submitted so please ensure that the information you provide is accurate and complete.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

03


Do you possess an American Red Cross lifeguarding certification or are you currently enrolled in a certification course? If yes, please include a copy of your certificate or course enrollment with your application.

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a current American Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED for the professional rescuer Certificate or are you currently enrolled in a certification course? If yes, please include a copy of your certificate or course enrollment with your application.

• Yes
• No

05


Are you at least 16 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you possess valid class C driver's license or have the ability to arrange alternate and timely means of transportation in the performance of assigned duties?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you have previous paid or volunteer experience as a lifeguard?

• Yes
• No

08


If you answered "Yes" to Question #7, please briefly describe your experience. If you answered "No" to Question #7, please indicate "N/A".
09


Do you possess a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certificate? If yes, please include a copy with your application.

• Yes
• No

10


Do you possess a First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) Certificate? If yes, please include a copy with your application.

• Yes
• No

11


Lifeguards may be required to work various shifts including early mornings, daytime, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Please indicate below the types of shifts you are able to work.

• Morning
• Daytime
• Evening
• Weekends
• Holidays

12


Please list the days of the week and hours you are available to work.
Required Question