Aquatic Specialist

City of Richmond (CA); Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid vacation

Holidays

Administrative leave days

Sick time

CalPERS retirement

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Job summary

The City of Richmond (CA) is seeking an Aquatics Specialist to plan, organize and direct aquatic programs for all ages at city facilities. This full-time role emphasizes water safety, lifeguard supervision, and guest services across Richmond’s aquatic venues, including the Richmond Plunge.

Ideal candidates will have lifeguard experience, swim lesson instruction and a track record leading aquatic trainings. This position offers full benefits and a stable, year-round schedule in a

Qualifications

• 1 year college-level coursework in recreation, physical education, or related field.
• 1 year of work experience at a swimming facility with duties of the position.
• Equivalent combination of training, education, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and designing aquatic programs and instructional classes.
• Prepare schedules of approved activities and assign staff.
• Maintain records of participation, supplies, and equipment and prepare simple reports.
• Organize and teach swimming and lead various aquatic activities.
• Meet with supervisor to discuss aquatic programming and planning.
• Coordinate classes, programs, clinics, and special events in aquatic activities.
• Work with community groups to provide information on aquatic activities and programs.
• Prepare materials publicizing aquatic programs and activities.
• Assist in recruiting, selecting, and scheduling lifeguard personnel; monitor, direct, and evaluate lifeguards.
• Perform lifeguard duties and supervise safety; provide first aid.

Skills

Lifeguard duties

First Aid & CPR

Swimming instruction

Program planning

Staff leadership

Education

1 year college-level coursework in recreation or related field

1 year experience at a swimming facility

Equivalent combination of training/education/experience

Job description

The City of Richmond Community Services Department - Recreation is currently accepting applications for a full-time Aquatics Specialist to join our team! This year-round position includes benefits and is essential for the efficient operation of Richmond’s aquatic facilities, including the Richmond Plunge. We are seeking an experienced aquatic professional who is passionate about water safety, knowledgeable in pool operations, and dedicated to providing excellent service to our community.

Annual salary for this classification is as high as $73,750.56, at the top of the range, with approved Cost of Living Adjustments on July 1, 2027 (5%).

City-paid benefits include:

• medical
• dental
• vision
• paid vacation
• holidays
• administrative leave days
• sick time
• CalPERS retirement contribution
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• tuition reimbursement
• annual professional development reimbursement
• four weeks of paid parental leave

All benefit information can be found in our Benefits Summary.

The Aquatic Specialist assists in planning, organizing, implementing, and directing aquatic recreational programs and activities for children, adults, senior citizens, and the disabled at the City's aquatic facilities.

The Ideal Candidate will have a background in lifeguarding, swim lesson instruction, experience leading aquatic trainings, a natural aptitude for leadership, and the ability to instruct diverse groups effectively. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone ready to make a positive impact in the community while advancing their career in aquatics.

The City of Richmond is the City of Pride and Purpose, and we value these traits in our employees!

The intent of this job specification is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning and designing aquatic programs and instructional classes.
• Prepares schedules of approved activities and assigns staff.
• Maintains records of participation, supplies, and equipment and prepares simple reports.
• Organizes and teaches swimming and leads a variety of other aquatic activities.
• Meets with supervisor to discuss aquatic programming and planning.
• Identifies community programming needs; develops, conducts, and coordinates classes, programs, clinics, and special events in the area of aquatic activities.
• Works with community groups in order to provide information relating to aquatic activities and programs.
• Prepares materials publicizing aquatic programs and activities.
• Assists in recruiting, selecting, and scheduling lifeguard personnel; and monitors, directs, and evaluates lifeguard personnel.
• Performs lifeguard duties; monitors activities at an aquatic facility to prevent accidents; rescues swimmers in distress and provides first aid care for medical emergencies; educates and directs swimmers regarding unsafe behavior.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education and Experience

• One (1) year of college-level coursework in recreation, physical education, general education, or a related field
• One (1) year of work experience at a swimming facility with demonstrated experience performing the duties of the position
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities

Required License or Certifications

• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification
• Lifeguard Training Certificate
• Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside of Richmond to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

• It is the City’s policy that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including the booster. New employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.

Required KSA for Successful Performance of Job Duties

Knowledge of

• Safety supervision of public swimming facilities
• Current methods and standards for lifeguarding public facilities
• Duties and responsibilities of lifeguards
• Health and safety regulations governing an aquatic facility
• Swimming rescue techniques
• First Aid and CPR
• Accident prevention and accident management
• Emergency response and accident management
• Intervention and conflict resolution strategies
• Methods of program and performance evaluation
• Swimming instruction methods and techniques
• Special issues associated with conducting activities for citizens possessing a wide variety of physical and mental abilities
• Team building techniques and supervision of lifeguards

Ability to

• Provide leadership, direction, and training to lifeguard personnel
• Manage emergency situations and victim care
• Evaluate field emergencies and respond quickly and appropriately
• Enforce rules and regulations of an aquatic facility
• Develop and implement aquatic programs for a variety of skill levels
• Prepare written reports and memorandums
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with personnel and the public in routine operations and emergency situations
• Use vision and hearing to identify and evaluate field emergencies and to respond Physically to these emergencies quickly and appropriately
• Swim with proficiency and endurance
• Perform and assist rescues
• Perform CPR and First Aid
• Work outdoors and indoors in a variety of temperatures
• Work a flexible schedule including holidays, nights, and weekends

Background Check and Tuberculosis Testing

Background Check and Tuberculosis Testing: Candidates will be required to complete a background check and Tuberculosis testing as a condition of employment.

About the City of Richmond

The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond’s numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more segments of the Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks and open space. The City has substantial economic resources but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities. Our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged.

Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose!

Immigration Reform and Control Act

In compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United States as a condition of employment.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The City of Richmond is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, citizenship, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law.

Disaster Service Workers

California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declares all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found here.

EOE/ADA/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

WEBSITE: www.ci.richmond.ca.us

Analyst: N. Williams 09/2026