Recreation Assistant

Lancaster University; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution located in Lancaster is seeking a Recreation Assistant to join its dynamic team. This position requires a qualified lifeguard and involves ensuring customer safety, performing cleaning tasks, and maintaining sports areas. Shift work is essential, including early mornings and weekends. Candidates must possess excellent communication skills and a customer-focused attitude, with an ability to work independently and collaboratively. This role supports an inclusive environment, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Support networks and family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Must hold a current RLSS UK lifeguard qualification or equivalent.
• Experience in lifeguarding is essential.
• Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and a positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe environment for customers as a lifeguard.
• Perform cleaning tasks and address maintenance for sports areas.
• Set up sports areas and move equipment safely.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Customer-focused attitude

Ability to work independently

Teamwork

Lifeguarding experience

Education

Current RLSS UK lifeguard qualification (or equivalent)

Job description

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

(Full-time indefinite)

Interview date: To be confirmed

Be part of something inspirational

Sport Lancaster has recently undergone an exciting period of change and development, creating a wide range of opportunities within a dynamic and evolving environment. Joining the team at this stage offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of sport at the University.

Significant investment has been made in Sport Lancaster in recent years, including a new 8-court badminton sports hall completed in June 2020, contributing to an outstanding sports facility.

The Sport Lancaster team operate a purpose-built Sports Centre featuring an 8.5m climbing wall, multi-function sports halls, swimming pool, sauna and steam room, 100‑station Technogym fitness suite and squash courts. We also manage extensive outdoor facilities including rugby pitches, 3G surfaces and tennis courts.

The Sports Centre is owned and managed by the University and is open to students, staff and the local community, as well as hosting several national events each year. Our knowledgeable team aim to inspire people of all abilities to be physically active in a welcoming, fully accessible environment.

Recreation Assistant

As a Recreation Assistant, you will work as part of a team to ensure a safe environment and high levels of customer service. Duties include lifeguarding, cleaning tasks, setting up sport areas and moving equipment safely.

You must hold a current RLSS UK lifeguard qualification (or equivalent), have lifeguarding experience, excellent communication skills and a positive, customer‑focused attitude, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

For informal enquiries, please contact Chris Mitchell at [e-mail]. We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

Shift Work

This role involves shift work including early mornings, evenings, weekends, University closure days and bank holidays. You must be able to start and finish at the following times:

• Monday–Friday: Early shifts 5:30 am start / Late shifts 10:30 pm finish
• Weekends: Early shifts 7:00 am start / Late shifts 6:30 pm finish

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family‑friendly workplace.

The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues.

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.