Lifeguard/Recreational Assistant

Winchester College; Winchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Winchester College is seeking a Recreation Assistant to support the Sports Centre. The role involves lifeguard duties, supervising gym and pool, ensuring safety, and delivering fitness guidance to users in a welcoming environment.

You will work with the team to maintain high standards of cleanliness, assist with reception tasks, and provide first aid when needed. Applicants should hold NPLQ, Level 2 fitness qualification, and First Aid cert, with a customer-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Must hold current Lifeguard qualification (NPLQ) with renewal hours if required.
• Level 2 or equivalent fitness industry qualification required.
• Fitness Class Instructor qualifications and First Aid certification are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Instruct gym users on correct techniques and safety of fitness equipment.
• Plan and run weekly fitness classes (qualification dependent).
• Supervise the sports centre, including reception, gym and lifeguard duties in the pool.
• Open and close the facility daily and ensure high standards of cleanliness and safety.
• Provide first aid, rescue swimmers, and report incidents as required.

Skills

Lifeguard supervision

First Aid

Customer service

Reliability / punctuality

Communication

Education

NPLQ Lifeguard qualification

Level 2 Fitness Industry qualification

Fitness Class Instructor qualifications

First Aid Certificate

Tools

Office software

Job description

• To ensure that the centre's normal operating procedures and emergency action plans are followed, providing feedback to the Manager on duty when required.
• To notify the Duty Manager of any damage to the facility, equipment that needs repair, pool safety concerns.
• Adhere to the Winchester College workplace expectations; encompassing strong communication skills, reliability and initiative, safety, and accomplishment of work tasks and supervision.
• The role will require operating, instructing on & setting up various equipment such as a gym exercise machines, pool lane ropes & cover, manually setting up different types of sports equipment as well as standard office equipment & till systems.
• To instruct gym users on the correct techniques and safe use of the fitness suite equipment, as well as plan & run weekly fitness classes (qualification dependant.)
• To supervise any area of the Sports Centre, including reception, gym & lifeguard duties within the swimming pool.
• To ensure that facilities are clean and tidy and kept to a high standard, by completing regular checks, water testing & spot cleaning.
• To offer the highest level of customer service, welcoming centre users, dealing with enquiries & logging attendance.
• Providing first aid in the event of an injury, rescuing swimmers in danger or distress & administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or artificial respiration, if necessary. Accident, incident & near-miss reporting.
• Opening and closing the facility (including pool) each day, depending on schedule & hours.
• The role includes computer use on a number of different software systems & packages, as well as telephone use.
• All staff are required to attend mandatory training sessions including initial Lifeguard certificate & the monthly 2hr pool training to ensure they are competent & compliant lifeguards.
• The post holder must be consistent in nature, friendly but firm when required, to ensure a safe, fun & welcoming environment for all user groups alike.

PERSON SPECIFICATION AND KEY QUALITIES

• Current Lifeguard qualification (NPLQ) (with the recommended hours to gain qualification renewal, if required.)
• Level 2 or equivalent fitness industry qualification
• Fitness Class Instructors Qualifications
• First Aid Certificate
• Previous experience working in a sports environment.

Personal Attributes

• Recreation Assistant must be reliable, have good time keeping and be a team player. They should also be confident and respond proactively to customer service.
• Potentially the desirable qualifications can be attained whilst working at the college should you be successful.
• All Lifeguards are expected to maintain an acceptable level of fitness to enable them to excel in their training and achieve the essential time trial swims.