Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard)

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Recreation Assistant to ensure a safe environment and provide excellent customer service in its sports facilities. Key responsibilities include lifeguarding, cleaning, and handling equipment, while also being part of a dedicated team. The successful candidate must have a current lifeguard qualification and possess strong communication skills. Flexible working hours, including early mornings and late evenings are required for this role. Competitive salary and generous perks included.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays

Generous pension scheme and life assurance

Discounted staff membership at The Edge gym

Access to personal development courses

On-site childcare and shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience working as a lifeguard is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Available to work during weekdays, weekends, and early/late shifts.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety in the environment and maintain high customer service.
• Perform cleaning tasks and set up sport areas.
• Lifeguard duties and equipment handling.

Skills

Excellent organisation skills

Excellent communication skills

Customer service orientation

Education

Current Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS) lifeguard qualification

Job description

Interviews are expected to be held on the 14th of January 2026.

This role will be based on the university campus.

Are you customer focused and dedicated to providing an excellent service? Do you have excellent organisation skills with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively?

The University has recently invested £1.2M to expand ‘The Edge’ sports facility and provides state of the art fitness and class equipment, offering a range of classes and aquatics activities and 25 metre 8 lane swimming pool.

As a Recreation Assistant you will work as part of a large team ensuring that the environment is safe for use and that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times. Alongside your responsibility for lifeguarding, you will undertake a range of duties including cleaning tasks, setting up sport areas and moving equipment safely.

You will have a current Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS) lifeguard qualification (or equivalent) and ideally have experience working as a lifeguard, ensuring you keep up to date with the monthly lifeguard training. You will have excellent communication skills and have a helpful attitude towards customers, with the ability to work independently and also as part of a team.

You will need to be available to work weekdays and weekends, early morning starts (06:00am) and late evenings (11:00pm). You will be primarily based at one of our designated sports facilities, however, will be required to work at any of our sports facilities when required.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Duty Manager Team, email: [e-mail]

Please see details of the University’s Pre-employment Health Assessment within the Candidate Brief.

£23,742 to £24,215 per annum (Grade 2)