Senior Lifeguard

City of Costa Mesa; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

PARS or CalPERS retirement

General leave benefits

Direct deposit

Job summary

The City of Costa Mesa is seeking a Senior Lifeguard (Part-time) to supervise and support the daily operations of the aquatics program. You will assist in planning classes, train staff, and ensure safety and high-quality instruction across lessons and activities.

You will supervise Instructor Lifeguards, perform lifesaving duties when needed, and help with registrations, cashier duties, and facility readiness for lap swim and lessons.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of paid or volunteer experience as a pool or beach guard.
• Certifications required or obtainable within six (6) weeks from date of hire: Lifeguard CPR/AED, WSI, First Aid for Public Safety Personnel, Bloodborne Pathogens.
• City may assist with obtaining certifications within one (1) year from hire date.

Responsibilities

• Assist in training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating aquatic staff.
• Oversee aquatic programs and lessons; develop creative programs with water safety components.
• Serve as on-site supervisor in absence of senior staff.
• Monitor pool safety, enforce rules, and respond to emergencies.
• Teach swimming lessons and supervise lifeguard staff during operations.
• Maintain program records and assist with facility preparation and customer service tasks.

Skills

Lifeguarding

CPR/AED

First Aid

Customer Service

Training

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor

First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22)

Bloodborne Pathogens Certification

Job description

Senior Lifeguard (Part-time) – $23.00 - $27.96 per hour

Under general supervision, this position assists in supervising and conducting the daily operation of the City aquatics program site, including the assistance in the planning and monitoring of aquatic classes and programs; and assists in the training and supervising of pool employees.

Class Characteristics

An incumbent in this classification patrols the swimming pool and aquatics facility to ensure safe and enjoyable program activities; and completes required department paperwork. Incumbents in this classification may supervise and perform work in the teaching of specific techniques to participants in the aquatics program. Incumbents are responsible for ensuring that the skills which are outlined in the course description are taught; assisting in any required pre‑testing program to assign the participants into classes, divisions or ability groups; assisting in curriculum planning; providing safe and enjoyable program activities; evaluating participant progress/performance; and completing required departmental paperwork. Incumbents acts as a direct supervisor to Instructor Lifeguards and are responsible for handling customer service issues with tact. Work is reviewed through regularly scheduled conferences, reports and evaluations.

Schedule / Important Upcoming Dates

Year Round: This is a part-time position, working throughout the year. Work schedules vary as needed. As a condition of employment, a Senior Lifeguard must be available for all in‑service training, annual training dates and annual fitness performance test.

Seasonal: This is a seasonal part-time position, working during the school year (September to May) or the Summer (June to August). Work schedules vary as needed. As a condition of seasonal employment, a Senior Lifeguard must be available for all in‑service training, and during the entire season worked.

Incumbents Will Be Required To Attend

• Orientation/training – Typically held Monday – Friday, from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., scheduled after hire date. Times and dates subject to change.
• Pre‑Summer Orientation/Training – Summer 2027 dates are TBD. Attendance is required on all dates.

Experience and Certification Requirements

Applicants must possess at least two (2) years of paid or volunteer experience as a pool or beach guard.

Applicants must possess or have the ability to obtain the following certifications:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, including CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer must be obtained within six (6) weeks from the date of hire.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.
• First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22).
• Bloodborne Pathogens Certification.

For applicants that do not currently possess the required certifications, the City may assist you in obtaining them at no cost to you via a City‑led certification course. All certifications must be obtained within one (1) year from the date of hire, unless otherwise stated. Additionally, certifications must be maintained throughout employment to remain in the position. Failure to either obtain or maintain certifications may result in disciplinary action, reassignment, or termination.

Desirable Certifications

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer

Essential Functions

Assists in training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating aquatic staff and other Recreation employees. Assists in organizing and conducting monthly and annual in‑service training for aquatic staff.

Assists in overseeing, coordinating, and conducting aquatic programs and lessons. Assists in developing creative programs that incorporate various aquatics experiences and water safety. Makes recommendations regarding necessary equipment and supplies.

Functions as the on‑site supervisor of aquatic programming in the absence of the Recreation Specialist, Recreation Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor, or Senior Recreation Supervisor.

Monitors and patrols the swimming pool and aquatics facility including keeping a lookout for accidents in the water and pool area; warns patrons and dangerous practices with pool usage; follows and enforces pool regulations and codes in an effort to prevent patron accidents.

Recognizes, enters water, and performs aquatic emergency rescues in the pool area; and administers artificial respiration, CPR/AED, and First Aid as needed.

Serves as an Instructor Lifeguard, as required. Teaches swimming lessons according to prescribed and approved methods by the American Red Cross in addition to specialized aquatic classes such as Aqua Aerobics or Aqua Boot Camp.

Maintains program records and prepares reports as required.

Monitors and assists with desk reception, telephone support and, related customer service activities.

Monitors and assists in accepting registrations, collects fees, processes receipts, and accounts for money; acts as cashier as needed.

Monitors and assists in preparation of facilities for regular operation of lap swim, lessons, and other daily operations. Removes and replaces pool covers and lane lines. Assists with routine pool cleaning and maintenance work on or around swimming pool.

Performs other duties as required.

Qualification Guidelines

Education, Training and/or Experience

Graduation from high school or its equivalent.

Two (2) years of paid or volunteer experience as a pool or beach guard.

Experience working with children and youth is desirable.

License and/or Certificate

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License may be required for certain positions. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

A current (less than two years) tuberculosis clearance certificate by date of hire.

Possession of or the ability to obtain the following certifications:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, including CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer must be obtained within six (6) weeks from the date of hire.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.
• First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22).
• Bloodborne Pathogens Certification.

Requisite Knowledge and Skill Levels

Knowledge of effective lifesaving techniques; and basic and advanced swimming strokes.

Considerable knowledge of swimming pool operations and maintenance functions, basic principles of group management and child development.

Knowledge and skills in effective customer service techniques.

General knowledge of municipal recreation, water safety, and aquatic practices and principles.

Skilled in lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED techniques.

Skilled in reading, writing, and communicating at an appropriate and professional level.

Requisite Abilities

Ability to act quickly, calmly, and appropriately in emergency situations; ability to perform lifesaving and rescue techniques, including administering CPR/AED and First Aid.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Ability to lead, coordinate, and train aquatic staff; teach proper swimming techniques and water safety; and prepare reports.

Ability to generate interest among program/class participants; evaluate and maintain participant progress and records.

Ability to follow written and oral instructions.

Ability to perform basic mathematic computations.

Ability to swim the six basic strokes proficiently and with endurance; and effectively instruct and demonstrate desired skills and strokes for lesson participants.

Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Ability to attend annual, mandatory pre‑summer orientation/training.

Supplemental Information

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 – all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions

Must be able to pass an in‑water physical fitness performance test annually for continued employment.

Candidates must be able to lift heavy weights (e.g., a child) and must be able to work for extended periods in the outdoors, exposed to the sun, water, and varying temperatures.

Exposure to various swimming pool water chemicals, such as chlorine.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Costa Mesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits for Part‑Time Employees

• Part‑time employees are appointed by and serve at the will of the Department Director. They are reviewed for merit salary advancement on a periodic basis. Generally, part‑time employees are limited to no more than 1,000 hours of work per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Certain part‑time employees, however, are permitted to exceed this limit.
• Part‑time employees participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending on eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 7.5% - 10.469% of salary depending on eligibility.
• Part‑time positions are eligible to receive general leave benefits. General leave can be used for sick, vacation, or holiday time.
• The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires all new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.