Senior Lifeguard Instructor

City of Carson; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Carson is seeking a Senior Lifeguard Instructor to lead and mentor lifeguard staff, supervise aquatic programs, and uphold water safety standards at city pools.

Responsibilities include enforcing rules, instructing classes, performing rescues, delivering first aid/CPR, coordinating with the Aquatics team to ensure safe, welcoming facilities for residents and visitors, and contributing to staff training and program development.

Qualifications

• Completion of formal education sufficient to read and write at required level.
• Approximately six months experience as a lifeguard.
• Possession of American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training/First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer; Lifeguard Instructor Training desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assign, instruct, and supervise swim instructors, lifeguards, and cashiers.
• Enforce pool rules and ensure safe use of pools.
• Assist in cleaning and maintaining the swimming area.
• Test pool water and maintain balance per regulations.
• Instruct swimming and lifeguard classes.
• Rescue bathers and render first aid/CPR.
• Prepare reports of rescues and incidents.
• Supervise water sports and disseminate policies to the public.
• Handle registrations, cash handling, and daily inspections.

Skills

Lifeguard experience

CPR Certification

First Aid

Water Safety

Supervision

Communication

Job description

The City of Carson is now accepting applications for Senior Lifeguard Instructor positions.

This recruitment will remain open until vacancies are filled and may close without notice. Applications will be reviewed weekly.

Come and join our Aquatics team. Step into leadership and elevate aquatic safety as a Senior Lifeguard with the City of Carson’s Community Services / Recreation / Park Maintenance Department. In this advanced role, you will provide mentorship to lifeguard staff, support facility operations, and ensure the highest level of preparedness and professionalism on deck. Your experience, judgment, and leadership will be critical in maintaining a safe, responsive, and welcoming aquatic environment. This is your opportunity to lead by example, strengthen your team, and make a lasting impact on the safety and enjoyment of Carson’s residents.

These positions are part-time/temporary, at-will (FLSA: Non-Exempt) positions that are limited to a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year. Part-time employees are not typically eligible for benefits; however, they may qualify for health coverage and sick leave accruals subject to applicable federal and state provisions.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, to organize and supervise aquatic activities at a community swimming pool and to perform related duties as required.

Mandatory Program Participation Dates

• May 30 & May 31, 2026: Aquatics Summer In-Service
• June 4, 2026: Community Services / Recreation / Park Maintenance Department - Summer In-Service

(These functions are representative and may not be present in all positions in the class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind related duties and work assignments.)

1. Assigns, instructs, and supervises the work of swim instructors, lifeguards, and cashiers at a community swimming pool.
2. Enforces established rules and regulations governing the safe use of pools.
3. Assists in cleaning and maintaining the swimming area.
4. Tests pool water for correct chemical balance to meet State and local requirements.
5. Assists in maintaining filtration and chlorination system.
6. Instructs swimming and lifeguard classes.
7. Rescues bathers.
8. Directs the work of lifeguards making rescues.
9. Renders first aid and CPR.
10. Prepares and reviews reports of rescues and unusual occurrences.
11. Supervises and coaches water sports and aquatic programs.
12. Disseminates information on policies and procedures to the public.
13. Completes paperwork for classes and programs and assists with registrations and cash handling, including use of a computer-based recreation registration program.
14. Performs daily facility inspections.
15. Assists in staff training.

Education and/or Experience

Completion of formal education sufficient to assure the ability to read and write at the level required for successful job performance and approximately six months experience as a lifeguard.

Knowledge of

• Lifeguarding, CPR, first aid, and water safety instruction.
• Chemical usage and balance related to pool water maintenance.
• Filtration and chlorination systems.
• Basic computer skills.

Skill and/or Ability to

• Learn the principles of supervision.
• Perform rescues and render first aid and CPR as necessary.
• Provide instruction in swimming and aquatic programs.
• Enforce water safety rules and regulations.
• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and deal tactfully with the public.

License and Certifications

Possession of a valid American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certificate; possession of an American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and Standard First Aid certificate; possession of an American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate. Possession of an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Training certificate is desirable.

Appointment

Any offer of employment, or acceptance of an employment offer, is contingent upon passing pre-employment physical, background check and other required tests. All new employees are required to take a loyalty oath.

Other Information

The City of Carson is an Equal Opportunity Employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the vibrant diversity of our community. This commitment is embraced at all levels of our organization, from our management staff to our policymakers. We partner with our staff and community organizations to ensure our policies and practices remain transparent and equitable. As part of this commitment, we regularly publish updated demographic information on our workforce, including data on diversity and pay equity by race and gender.

In accordance with the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Carson will consider all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history. Applicants are not required to disclose their criminal history or undergo a background check until receiving a conditional job offer. If any concerns arise from a background check, and the conviction is directly related to the role, applicants will have the opportunity to provide context, present mitigating evidence, or dispute the report's accuracy. For more information about the Fair Chance Act, please visit https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

The City of Carson intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need a special accommodation during the recruitment process or would like this information in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources at [phone].

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This recruitment is Open.

CURRENT CITY OF CARSON EMPLOYEES

Please do not use your City of Carson email address as part of this application. You must indicate a personal email address in order to receive communication and/or notices from Human Resources throughout the recruitment process.