Senior Lifeguard

Senior Lifeguard

Salary

$59,599.90 - $72,442.86 Annually

Location

City of Poway Aquatics Center, CA

Job Type

Full time - regular

Job Number

26-45

Department

Community Services

Division

Aquatics

Opening Date

09/23/2026

Closing Date

10/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Definition

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

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.

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.
• 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.

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: Six months of lifeguarding experience.

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

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possess and maintain an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification.
• Possess and maintain an American Red Cross 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.

Examination Process

A completed NeoGov application, including supplemental questions, must be submitted through NeoGov for consideration by the application deadline. Application materials will not be accepted separate from NeoGov or after the deadline.

A FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND PART OF THE REVIEW AND QUALIFYING PROCESS. QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED COMPLETELY.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training, education and experience as presented in the application and supplemental questions. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligibility list established, which will be in effect for a period of up to six months. A background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting and a verification of a valid drivers license and satisfactory driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles may be required. All appointments are also subject to the successful completion of a pre-placement physical examination that includes a drug screening. 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.

Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time (2,080 hrs/yr) status. Benefits for positions considered less than full-time are pro-rated based upon hours and may differ from those indicated.

Vacation - Annual paid vacation as follows: 0-4 years service = 96 hrs/yr; 5-9 years service = 120 hrs/yr; 10-14 years service = 144 hrs/yr; and 15+ years service = 168 hrs/yr. Prior Public Service Credit for vacation accruals may be granted for verifiable experience.

Sick Leave - The City provides 96 hours each year of paid sick leave. There are sick leave incentive and conversion programs available to those who qualify.

Holidays - The City observes 10 holidays each year. Additionally, employees shall be entitled to eighteen (18) benefit day hours each fiscal year. Benefit day hours will be prorated based upon an employee's hire date.

Flexible Saving Account - These are IRS-approved plans, which enables you to have witheld from your paycheck an amount to cover eligible dependent care, and/or certain eligible medical exspenses without being subject to federal income or social security tax on the income used to pay for these benefits. Employees can opt into either the Dependent care or medical expense accounts.

Life Insurance - The City provides group term life insurance equal to 1 1/2 times annual salary to a maximum of $350,000. Supplemental life insurance for employees and family members is available by payroll deduction at reasonable group rates and is portable.

Short & Long Term Disability -

The City provides short-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income (up to $2,516) after a 7-day waiting period if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

The City provides long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income (up to $10,900) after a 90-day elimination period if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Retirement - Benefits are provided by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic CalPERS members - 2% @ 60 formula with employees contributing 8% of regular salary. Beginning the first full pay period in July 2024, employees considered "classic" members will contribute an additional 1%. The total employee contribution will be 9%. New CalPERS members - 2% @ 62 formula with employees contributing 50% of the total normal cost; 50% of the total normal cost is currently 7.75%. Beginning the first full pay period in July 2024, employees considered "classic" members will contribute an additional 1%. The total employee contribution will be 9%. The City participates in Medicare, but does not participate in Social Security.

Health Insurance - Poway provides employer-paid group medical and dental insurance for the employee. For medical plans, the City contributes 100% of the cost for employees enrolled in either the Kaiser or CIGNA HMO plans and 60% of the cost for dependent coverage for both HMO plans. The City also has a CIGNA PPO option, and the City covers the premium costs for employees enrolled in the CIGNA PPO equivalent to what the City covers for employees enrolled in the CIGNA HMO, at every coverage level. For dental plans, employees have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan. Family vision insurance is provided at no cost to the employee. An IRS Section 125 plan (Flexible Spending Account) for reimbursement of medical and dependent care expenses is also available.

Deferred Compensation Plan - Participation in a 457 deferred compensation plan is available to all regular employees and is voluntary with a matching City contribution of up to $900. The City also contributes $38.00 per pay period to a 401(a) deferred compensation plan with vesting on a graduated schedule beginning with 2 years service and becoming 100% vested after 6 years.

Tuition Reimbursement - The City may reimburse the actual cost paid for tuition, books and required technical supplies and equipment up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year for eligible employees receiving a grade of "C" or better in approved courses.

Additional Benefits - The City offers additional benefits such as Pet Insurance discounts, Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, and a 9/80 work schedule dependent on your position upon hire.

01

Do you possess an American Red Cross Lifeguard training certificate? If yes, please include a copy of the certificate with your application.

• Yes
• No

02

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

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Poway

Address City of Poway

13325 Civic Center Drive

Poway, California, 92064

Phone (858) 668-4440

Website https://poway.org/