Aquatics Technician

City of Oceanside, CA; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Oceanside seeks an Aquatics Technician to lead aquatic programs, supervise staff, and ensure pool safety. The role includes lifeguarding, CPR and first aid, and training new employees to high safety standards.

Responsibilities include enforcing rules, handling logs and reports, and assisting with cash receipts and deposits. Must be available for varied shifts and pass required exams.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of three seasons (9 months) of lifeguarding, water safety or swimming instruction at a municipal pool facility or equivalent.
• Training: Completion of the twelfth grade with specialized lifeguard services, water safety or related field.
• Licenses: California Driver's License; Lifeguard Training Certificate; CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in the implementation of aquatic programs; supervise staff; train new and less experienced employees in safety and work methods.
• Provide primary or secondary lifeguard duties, perform rescues, administer first aid and CPR as needed.
• Enforce rules and regulations; respond to public inquiries; maintain logs, documents and reports; handle daily cash receipts and deposits.

Skills

Lifeguarding

CPR

First aid

Swimming instruction

Public relations

Cash handling

English usage

Education

High school diploma

Lifeguard Training Certificate

CPR for the Professional Rescuer

Emergency Medical Response Certificate

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor

Aquatics Facility Operator certification

Job description

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for Aquatics Technician. There is currently one position available in the Parks and Recreation Department.

Application Deadline: 4:00pm, Sunday, 09/13/2026

Test Dates: Oral Board Exam -9/28/2026, Performance Exam - 09/28/2026

Selection Interview - 10/07/2026

Candidates MUST pass the Performance Exam in order to be placed on the Eligibility List.

Exam dates are posted as a courtesy and may be subject to change and/or cancellation.

The Aquatics Technician leads and participates in the implementation of aquatic programs; assists in the assignment, and functional supervision of subordinate staff; trains and instructs new and less experienced employees in proper work methods, tools, equipment and safety precautions; may have input on employee evaluations; ensures safety of pool areas; maintains an awareness of the hazards associated with the aquatic environment to which assigned, informs the public in an appropriate manner of these hazards and how to avoid them; provides primary or secondary lifeguard duties to include swimming instruction; rescues persons in distress or persons who are in danger of drowning; administers medical aid and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation; responds to complaints and inquiries from the general public; enforces or informs the public regarding rules, regulations, codes, laws and other applicable restrictions; participates in the maintenance and upkeep of equipment and facilities; updates and prepares logs, documents and reports; oversees the collection and accounting of daily cash receipts; makes bank deposits; completes cash reports; builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of an aquatics program.
• Methods and techniques of swimming and lifeguarding.
• Principles and practices of lifeguarding.
• Methods and techniques of C.P.R. and first aid.
• Principles of supervision and training.
• Principles and practices of public relations.
• Cash collection, record-keeping and reporting.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.

Ability to:

• Maintain good physical fitness and agility; swim with proficiency and endurance.
• Assist in training and supervising the activities of lifeguard staff.
• Interpret and explain aquatics program policies and procedures.
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective course of action.
• Administer first aid and C.P.R. as necessary.
• Swim with endurance and proficiency at a level necessary to perform assigned duties
• Enforce applicable rules, codes, laws and regulations.
• Respond to request and inquires form the general public.
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Operate vehicles, vessels and/or equipment as appropriate.
• Work various schedules including weekends, evenings, holidays and occasional split shifts as required by the work assignment.
• Operate computer equipment and software applications related to the assignment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training

Experience: Minimum of three seasons (9 months) of performing increasingly responsible lifeguarding, water safety or swimming instruction experience at a municipal pool facility or equivalent setting.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in lifeguard services, water safety or a related field.

License or Certificate:

• California Driver's License
• Lifeguard Training Certificate
• C.P.R for the Professional Rescuer certificate

Within six (6) months from date of hire:

• Possess an Emergency Medical Response Certificate
• Possess an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
• Possess an Aquatics Facility Operator certification or equivalent

Special Requirement:

Must be available to work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Environmental Conditions:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors; the performance of outdoors work requires exposure to a variety of weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, intense sun); exposure to potentially hazardous substances and chemicals, and work on slippery or uneven surfaces. Indoor work is performed in a variety of environments with natural and artificial lighting and moderate to high noise level. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquiries.

Physical Conditions:

Essential functions may require walking, standing, bending, crouching or stooping while supervising class participants; sit at lifeguard tower for long periods of time; intermittently bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist; swim with proficiency and endurance; travel across wet, sloping surfaces; perform life-saving techniques and rescues which would involve bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, grabbing, and lifting, pulling or carrying a child or adult out of the pool onto the deck; pull, lift and store pool blankets, covers, reels and lane lines weighing up to 60 pounds; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; perform routine custodial and maintenance tasks; verbal ability to communicate in person and by telephone in emergency and non-emergency situations; must possess ability to read, interpret and write reports; must have sufficient eyesight and hearing to see and communicate across a pool in a noisy environment; see in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction; must be able to attend meetings at various locations throughout the City; must be able to train, evaluate and supervise staff.

Selection Process:

All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process will include a performance and oral examination to assess job-related education, experience and training. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on an eligible list according to their scores and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Performance Exam Includes:

• 100 yard swim in 2 minutes
• Treading water for 5 minutes
• Water rescue in 2 minutes
• Spinal in-line stabilization
• Submerged victim rescue
• Unconscious victim obstructed airway rescue and CPR
• Swimming proficiency: crawl stroke (25 yards), breast stroke (25 yards), back crawl (25 yards), side stroke (25 yards), elementary backstroke (25 yards).

Candidates MUST pass the Performance Exam in order to be placed on the Eligibility List.

Prospective candidates will undergo a background reference check and a medical examination, a drug screening may be required.