Lifeguard, Part Time (continuous)

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Oakland is seeking part-time Lifeguards to staff Aquatic Centers. You will monitor water safety, enforce rules, provide CPR/First Aid as needed, teach swim lessons, and complete records and reports. Certifications in CPR for Lifeguards with AED and Lifeguard Training are required; bilingual skills are a plus.

Working hours vary weekly and you will join a diverse team dedicated to safety and excellent customer service in Oakland's aquatic facilities.

Qualifications

• Six months of aquatics experience.
• Must be at least sixteen years old.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin are desirable for certain positions.
• Current Red Cross certification in CPR for Lifeguards with AED or CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED, Lifeguard Training and First Aid.
• Failure to submit required certification will result in disqualification from the selection process.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the safety and well-being of patrons.
• Enforcing all facility rules and guidelines.
• Preventing accidents and rendering first aid when necessary.
• Giving swim lessons for all ages and ability levels.
• Completing all records and reports including accidents, control and discipline, time slips, and leaves of absence.
• Performing custodial duties as assigned by the Pool Manager.
• Assisting in the registration of patrons for instructional classes.

Skills

First Aid

CPR

Water Safety

Rescue Techniques

Teamwork

Job description

2026 OAKLAND PARKS, RECREATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why Join the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department?

Come and join a vibrant, energetic team whose key initiative is enhancing the community through recreational programs, optimizing park facilities and youth development. Are you passionate about being a part of dynamic community spaces and fostering cultural growth? The City of Oakland is seeking a dedicated and experienced Lifeguard for the Oakland Parks & Recreation & Youth Development department.

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill multiple part-time Lifeguard positions in Oakland Parks and Recreation Aquatic Centers for both seasonal and year-round employment. Working hours vary from week to week.

We are looking for someone who:

• Fully understands first aid, CPR, and water safety procedures to handle incidents effectively.
• Maintains constant vigilance over the water and surrounding areas to quickly identify and respond to emergencies.
• Stays composed and makes quick decisions in high-stress or emergency situations.
• Demonstrates excellent swimming ability and proficiency in rescue techniques to ensure safety of patrons.
• Works collaboratively with other lifeguards and staff to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Ensuring the safety and well-being of patrons
• Enforcing all facility rules and guidelines
• Preventing accidents and rendering first aid when necessary
• Giving swim lessons for all ages and ability levels
• Completing all records and reports including accidents, control and discipline, time slips, and leaves of absence
• Preforming custodial duties as assigned by the Pool Manager
• Assisting in the registration of patrons for instructional classes

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be making a difference working with Oakland’s youth
• You will be spending time outdoors
• You will be able to stay active
• You can make a difference in the community
• You will develop valuable skills

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You may be responsible for dealing with emergencies
• You may be exposed to inclement weather
• You may have to do repetitive and physically demanding tasks

The competencies required to be a successful Recreation Specialist I are:

• Oral Communications: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Performing under physically demanding conditions.
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes.
• Actions & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:

None required.

Experience:

Six months of aquatics experience.

Candidates must be at least sixteen (16) years or older to apply.

Additional Qualifications:

Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin are highly desirable for certain positions.

Current Red Cross certification in CPR for Lifeguards with AED or CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED, Lifeguard Training and First Aid.

Please scan and attach this required certification to your application. Failure to submit this required certification will result in disqualification from the selection process.

Candidates who receive offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance and have a physical examination including a TB screening.

Work Permits:

Minors will be subject to state guidelines and restrictions governing their employment while employed with the City of Oakland. This shall include applicable work permits, records, hours worked, and time reporting guidelines. Minor seeking information regarding work permits should contact their local school district. When applicable, work permits must be obtained prior to beginning employment.

The Recruitment Process:

This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to OPRYD for further consideration.

Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Stage I:

The first stage in the selection process will consist of a review of each applicant's employment application, current Red Cross certifications in CPR for Lifeguards with AED or CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED, Lifeguard Training & First Aid, and signed supplemental questionnaire for minimum qualifications (weighted pass/fail). Applications submitted without all required materials will not be given further consideration.

Stage II:

The second stage will consist of an oral interview and an on-the-spot water test that will test the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the qualifications section. The list of candidates to be further considered will be developed directly from the results of Stage II.

Candidates will be required to provide their original current Red Cross certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED at the time of the scheduled oral interview/water test.

Note: Subsequent Oral Interviews and Water Tests will be scheduled periodically.

Confirmed 2026 OPRYD Aquatics Oral Exam and Water Testing Dates are below:

Date Time Location

• Monday, January 5, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Spring Hiring) - 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM - DeFremery Pool
• Friday, April 3, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Sunday, April 12, 2026 (Summer Hiring) - 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM - DeFremery Pool
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Friday, June 12, 2026 - 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM - DeFremery Pool
• Friday, July 11, 2025 - 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM - DeFremery Pool
• Wednesday, August 16, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, September 10, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Friday, September 19, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Monday, October 13, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM - Temescal Pool

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.