Pool Guard II

The City of San Diego; California; On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Diego is seeking Pool Guard II personnel to oversee pool and deck safety, explain facility policies, and perform water rescue and first aid when required. Applicants must hold valid Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/ AED certificates, plus WSI is a plus.

Positions are available in full-time (benefitted) and part-time (hourly) formats; some shifts include holidays, weekends, and evenings. TB and TB testing requirements apply as per regulations.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years old; work permits may be required for minors.
• Current lifeguard, CPR and first aid certifications must be valid.
• Knowledge of safety rules and equipment handling is essential.

Responsibilities

• Monitor pool and deck to prevent accidents and enforce rules.
• Rescue swimmers in distress and administer first aid/CPR as needed.
• Assist patrons with registrations and explain facility regulations.
• Maintain records and prepare reports; participate in safety instruction.

Skills

Lifeguard

First Aid

CPR

Rescue skills

Public safety

Education

American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid

American Red Cross CPR/AED Lifeguard

American Red Cross First Aid for Public Safety Personnel

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)

Job description

JOB INFORMATION

POOL GUARD II CANDIDATES MUST APPLY BEFORE TAKING THE PERFORMANCE TEST. ONCE APPLICATIONS ARE APPROVED, CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED REGARDING THE SPECIFIC DATE, TIME AND LOCATION.

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 II 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; conduct swim and safety instruction; 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:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Pool Guard II positions are available in full-time (benefitted) and part-time (limited/hourly) employment.
• Pool Guard II employees may be assigned to work on holidays, weekends and evenings.
• Pool Guard II employees MUST be available to work June through August as scheduled with NO vacation leave.
• Pool Guard II employees may be assigned to work at multiple pool sites including portable community pools.
• Pool Guard II employees are required to wear a standard uniform that is prescribed by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Pool Guard II employees may require knowledge of competitive swimming, water polo and water exercise.
• 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.
• 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 II 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 II positions must get tested for tuberculosis (TB) when hired and every four years thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

AGE: 16 years of age or older.

• 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 are 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: You must have ALL of the following valid certificates:

• American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate.
• American Red Cross CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Lifeguard Certificate.
• American Red Cross First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) Certificate. Possession of a Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate is NOT qualifying for this certificate.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certificate.

Notes

• For information on certificate requirements, please check the following website for a listing of upcoming training classes: www.redcross.org . You may also contact Parks and Recreation Department staff at [phone] .
• All certificates MUST be valid.
• Proof of current registration (enrollment) in any of the required certificate programs and/or letters from instructors are NOT acceptable.
• Applicants who have completed the required training but have not received their certificate(s) may submit a copy of the American Red Cross Course Record showing successful completion.
• An equivalent certificate from a lifeguard training program must be approved by the California Department of Public Health.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• Experience teaching swimming lessons with an authorized provider.