Lifeguard

City of San Bernardino, CA; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Lifeguard Certification

Job summary

The City of San Bernardino invites applicants to join the Aquatics Division as Lifeguards. Training is provided at no cost, with successful completion leading to a conditional employment offer and further pre-employment steps.

Candidates must meet certification requirements, be at least 16 years old, and be ready to work at City pools across San Bernardino. This role supports community safety and recreational programs.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate and CPR certification.
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent Basic Life Support certification required.
• Must be 16 years of age and certificates valid for duration of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide courteous and expeditious customer service to the public and City staff.
• Supervise swimming activities and enforce pool rules and safety policies.
• Rescue swimmers in distress and administer first aid or CPR as needed.
• Assist in cleaning the pool and related facilities and may assist in swim lessons.

Skills

Customer service

First aid

Water safety

Education

Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

CPR/First Aid Certification

Job description

Looking to make a positive impact in your community?

City of San Bernardino Lifeguards

No Lifeguard Certification? We offer FREE training!

About the City

As a future member of our team, you'll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in the region, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city’s evolving identity.

San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It's a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

About the Position

The City of San Bernardino is accepting applications to establish an eligibility list for future openings within the Aquatics Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. San Bernardino is home to six public pools and will be offering year-round access for our City residents. This is a perfect opportunity for groups of all ages to start their career in a government agency and serve our community.

Free Certification Process

Steps:

• Attend an In-Water Skills Test and an interview.
• Candidates who successfully pass the skills assessment and interview, will be scheduled to complete a three-day session to obtain their Lifeguard & CPR Certification (see schedule below).
• Candidates who successfully pass the Lifeguard & CPR Certification will be offered a conditional offer of employment. In order to receive an official offer of employment, candidates must complete all pre-employment exams consisting of a livescan, and physical, including a TB test.

In-Water Skills Testing Schedule

• Location: 831 East Highland Avenue, Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, San Bernardino, California 92404
• Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Dates: October 3, 2026
• Dates: November 7, 2026
• Dates: December 5, 2026

Lifeguard Certification Schedule (must attend one full 3 day session)

• Location: 831 East Highland Avenue, Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, San Bernardino, California 92404
• Time:
  1. Friday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  2. Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Dates: October 9 - 11
• Dates: November 13 - 15
• Dates: December 11 - 13

The Ideal Candidate

• Provides courteous and expeditious customer service to the general public and City department staffs.
• Supervises swimming activities in and around a City pool to ensure that policies, rules and regulations are observed and enforced and that no hazard to safety is created; warns swimmers of improper activities or danger; enforces pool regulations and water safety policies.
• Rescues swimmers in distress or danger of drowning; administers first aid in the event of injury; administers artificial respiration if required.
• Assists in cleaning the pool and related facilities and equipment; and assists in instructing classes in fundamentals of swimming.

A Day in the Life

As a Lifeguard, you’ll start your shift by checking the pool area and equipment to ensure everything is safe and ready for visitors. Throughout the day, you’ll monitor swimmers, enforce pool rules, and step in quickly when someone needs help. You’ll provide first aid when necessary, assist with swimming lessons, and answer questions from the public with a friendly attitude. In between, you’ll help keep the pool and surrounding area clean and welcoming. Every day brings the opportunity to promote water safety, protect lives, and create a positive experience for the community.

Knowledge of

• Water hazards, lifesaving techniques and rescue methods;
• First aid as applied to accidents in water and surrounding area;
• Policies, rules and regulations governing swimming pool operation.

Ability to

• Swim with proficiency and endurance for possible rescues;
• Evaluate situations and adopt intelligent methods of action;
• Remain calm and efficient in stressful situations;
• Maintain constant observation of an assigned area and note any sign of impending trouble;
• Prevent dangerous situations from arising;
• Recognize emergencies and take appropriate action;
• Supervise volunteers and support staff;
• Maintain records and prepare reports;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Effectively instruct persons in the techniques of swimming and water safety;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Transport materials and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds;
• See in the normal visual range with or without correction;
• Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction;
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, moisture and distracting noises.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate, YMCA Lifeguard or Ellis and Associates Lifeguard Certificate, Red Cross Standard First Aid Certificate or American Red Cross Community First Aid and Safety Certificate or National Safety Council Standard First Aid Certificate or Medic First Aid Certificate.
• American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer Certificate or American Heart Association or CPR Level "C" BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate or American Red Cross Community CPR Certificate are required.
• Must be 16 years of age.
• All certificates must be valid for the duration of employment.

Growth Opportunities

• Senior Lifeguard
• Pool Manager I
• Pool Manager II

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment is continuous and will close until a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Pre-Employment Process

• Application Review
• Oral Examination
• Pre-employment Medical Exam including drug and TB test
• LiveScan Fingerprinting which reviews criminal history with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

E-Verify Participation

The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States. Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.

Disclaimers

The City of San Bernardino is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City follows a nepotism policy, which may impact hiring decisions if an applicant has relatives currently employed by the City. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at [phone]. For information regarding employee rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), please refer to the attached PDF: Employee Rights under FMLA (PDF) (Download PDF reader). Please note that smoking is prohibited in all City offices, vehicles, and designated areas.

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Human Resources at [phone] or email Stephanie Rivera at [e-mail].

All dates are subject to change at the discretion of Human Resources.