Pool Guard I

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of San Diego is seeking Pool Guard I to oversee pool safety, enforce rules, and assist with registrations. The role requires lifeguard certification, CPR/First Aid, and vigilant supervision of patrons.

Positions are primarily part-time and require availability during peak summer months, including holidays and weekends. Training and certification updates are required within 90 days of hire.

Qualifications

• American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid certificate and CPR/AED required within 90 days of hire.
• Must be at least 16 years old at application.

Responsibilities

• Monitor pool and deck areas to prevent accidents and enforce regulations.
• Rescue swimmers in distress and administer first aid/CPR as needed.
• Receive fees from patrons and assist with aquatic class/activity registrations.
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and perform routine maintenance tasks.

Skills

Lifeguard training

CPR

First Aid

Job description

PERFORMANCE TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER 2026, MARCH 2027, AND JUNE 2027. FIRST TEST DATE IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 12, 2026. CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HOWEVER, CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN A SPECIFIC MONTH TEST DATE SHOULD APPLY APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH BEFORE THEIR PREFERRED TESTING MONTH. PLEASE NOTE, PLACEMENT IN A PREFERRED TEST MONTH IS NOT GUARANTEED.

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Pool Guard I positions oversee the safety of pool patrons by monitoring the pool and deck areas to prevent accidents; explain and enforce facility regulations, policies and procedures; rescue swimmers in distress or in danger of drowning; administer first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed; receive fees from patrons; assist patrons in aquatic class and activity registration; maintain records and prepare reports; perform maintenance tasks; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
• Prior to employment, all applicants must pass a pass/fail performance test. Should you fail any part of the performance test, only one retest will be permitted on the same test date.
• Pool Guard I employees are primarily employed on a part-time basis and employees may be assigned to work on holidays, weekends and evenings.
• Pool Guard I employees MUST be available to work June through August as scheduled with NO vacation leave.
• California State Law requires all persons hired in these positions to retain current certificates in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard Training and re-qualify as required to retain employment.
• Pool Guard I employees must furnish and wear standard apparel prescribed by the Park and Recreation Department.
• Pool Guard I employees must take and pass a performance test periodically to retain employment.
• In accordance with California Public Resources Code section 5163, all persons holding Pool Guard I positions must get tested for tuberculosis (TB) when hired and every four years thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

AGE: 16 years of age or older.

NOTES:

• Applicants less than age 18 must obtain a work permit prior to starting work.
• Work permits may be obtained through the school system.
• Applicants who are age 17 and high school graduates, or have passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination, are not required to have a work permit; however, they must submit a copy of their high school diploma, CHSPE or GED results with their application.

CERTIFICATES: A valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate, American Red Cross CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Lifeguard Certificate and American Red Cross First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) Certificate must be attained within 90 days from date of hire.

NOTES:

• All certificates MUST be valid.
• Possession of a Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate is NOT qualifying for American Red Cross First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) Certificate.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience teaching swimming lessons with an authorized provider.

The screening process will consist of the following components:

1. APPLICATION REVIEW: Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met.
2. PERFORMANCE TEST: The performance test is a pass/fail examination which consists of the following three events:
   • A 300-yard swim test; swimming continuously using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both; demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.
   • A 2-minute swim component; treading water using legs only.
   • An object retrieval which includes swimming approximately 20 yards; performing a surface dive to locate and recover an object at a depth of up 7-10 feet; returning to the surface and swimming 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface; and exiting the water without using a ladder or steps. Must be completed within 1 MINUTE AND 40 SECONDS.

Performance Test Date: Approved applicants will be notified regarding the specific date, time and location. You must have a Performance Test Appointment Notice in order to be admitted to the test.

Reexamination Eligibility: If you fail the performance test, you may reapply ONE MONTH (30 days) after your most recent test date.

NOTES:

• Performance test weight......100%
• Candidates must provide valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver license, military ID, Department of Motor Vehicles ID or passport) on the day of the performance test. FOR MINORS ONLY, a current school-issued ID with a photograph will be accepted.
• Candidates who are between 16 and 18 years old at the time of the performance test must submit a Release of Liability Waiver signed by their parent or guardian in order to take the performance test. Candidates must bring this signed waiver to the performance test. Falsification of the Release of Liability Waiver is cause for disqualification and/or termination of employment. Waivers will also be available on the date of the performance test.
• Should you fail any part of the performance test, only one retest will be permitted on the same test date.

Candidates who pass the performance test will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processesapplicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes,including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs,or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 12 - October 23, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)