Lifeguard (Part-Time)

City of Santa Ana; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Santa Ana is seeking motivated individuals for seasonal, part-time lifeguard positions at city pools. Responsibilities include patron surveillance, safety enforcement, and delivering Learn-to-Swim lessons. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Certifications in Lifeguarding with CPR/AED, First Aid, and WSI are required within one year of hire. Qualified applicants must be at least 16 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, and be willing to work irregular hours including

Qualifications

• Must be at least sixteen (16) years of age at the time of hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or acceptable alternative transportation.
• Willing and able to work irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Must obtain and maintain American Red Cross certifications: Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid, Water Safety Instructor (WSI) within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Monitor pool areas, provide continuous patron surveillance, and respond to emergencies per training.
• Administer first aid, CPR, AED, and related procedures per established protocols.
• Enforce pool rules and safety practices in line with policies and training.
• Conduct regular safety checks of pool areas, equipment, and water quality.
• Deliver Learn-to-Swim classes and supervise water safety instruction for all ages.
• Assist with opening/closing duties and maintenance of facility cleanliness.
• Participate in safety drills, staff meetings, and in-service training.

Skills

Patrol safety

Emergency response

Customer service

English proficiency

Strong swimming

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to our community.

This is a seasonal, part-time position. Assignment at a City pool will end in September 2026. The incumbents may work up to 960 hours per Fiscal year. Work hours and schedules vary according to program and participant needs.

This recruitment is open until further notice and can close at any time. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Bilingual pay is an additional $1.01/hour, if applicable.

*Revised on May 7th, 2026

• Monitors pool areas, performs continuous patron surveillance, and responds to emergencies by performing rescues in accordanceto training.
• Administersfirst aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), artificial respiration, and operates Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) as required in accordance with established protocols.
• Enforces pool rules, safety regulations, and emergency procedures in accordance with established policies and training standards.
• Conducts regular patrols and safety checks of pool areas and equipment, monitoring water clarity, deck safety, and rescuereadiness.
• Delivers aquatics instructional classes and American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim lessons to all ages and ability levels.
• Demonstrates and teaches proper swim techniques, water safety skills, and age-appropriate aquatic fundamentals whilemaintaining class control and ensuring participant safety.
• Provides customer service and communicates effectively with patrons and participants.
• Assists with opening and closing procedures and with facility cleanliness and organization.
• Participates in regular in-service training, safety drills, and staffmeetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications may be met via an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training sufficient to perform the essential job functions. Experience and education must provide the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirement:

• Must be at least sixteen (16) years of age at the time of hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, or alternative transportation that meets operational needs.
• Must be willing and able to work irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, days, and evenings, on a regular basis.
• Must possess by date of hire and maintain the following American Red Cross certifications:

1. Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
2. First Aid
3. Water Safety Instructor (WSI)

Must possess and maintain Title 22 (First Aid for Public Safety Personnel) certification within one (1) year of hire.

If you do not possess the required certifications, the City may assist you in obtaining them at a minimal cost ($55) to you.

Highly Desirable:

Bilingual proficiency in English and one of the following: Spanish, Vietnamese, or American Sign Language (ASL).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Safety guidelines and preventative safety rules for pool environments. Basic swim stroke techniques. Lifeguarding, rescue methods, and first aid techniques as applied to aquatic environments. American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim curriculum and age-appropriate instruction methods. Customer service principles.

Skill in: Swimming with proficiency and endurance. Performing water rescues, CPR, and first aid.

Ability to: Prevent accidents and effectuate swimming rescues. Work with children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. Understand and verbally communicate effectively in English to the public. Answer questions about a wide range of aquatics subjects. Handle a variety of emergency situations specific to aquatic facilities. Enforce pool rules, regulations, and safety practices consistently. Instruct swimming lessons and demonstrate proper techniques. Follow oral and written instructions. Maintain accurate records and reports. Maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, supervisors, and the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions: Work is performed primarily outdoors at community swimming pools. Occasional travel to different sites may be required. Incumbents are exposed to extreme heat (often over one hundred (100) degrees), sunlight, variable weather conditions, pool water and pool chemicals, chlorine and other chemical disinfectants, moderate to high noise levels, and slippery and uneven pool deck surfaces. Incumbents may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, and other health hazards during rescue and first aid situations.

Physical Conditions: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in and around swimming pools for extended periods; utilize and operate safety equipment; swim with proficiency and endurance; spend prolonged periods in pool water (up to eight (8) hours per day); continuously stand, walk, and sit; frequently kneel, crouch, bend, twist, reach, and climb; occasionally run and react quickly to lifesaving emergencies; perform strenuous physical activity requiring physical strength and endurance when performing water rescues; lift, carry, push, pull, drag, and grasp equipment and rescue victims weighing up to seventy-five (75) pounds; maintain visual acuity to monitor swimmers and pool areas; utilize hearing to detect distress and communicate with patrons and staff; operate motor vehicles or use alternative transportation that meets operational needs, and speak clearly to provide instruction and enforce safety rules.

*Revised on March 30th, 2026

In-Water Post-Interview Skill Assessment

• Swim 300 yards continuously using front crawl and/or breaststroke (goggles permitted).
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
• Complete a timed event in 1 minute, 40 seconds, which includes:
  • Swimming 20 yards
  • Performing a surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound object from 7–10 feet deep
  • Swimming back 20 yards on the surface while holding the object with both hands
  • Exiting the pool without the use of steps or a ladder

Candidates given a job offer will be required to pass a medical exam and a background records check.

The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.