TEMP Lifeguard II - Head Lifeguard

City of Pleasanton; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Pleasanton is seeking a Head Lifeguard for the Library and Recreation Department to oversee daily operations at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center and ensure participant safety, staff support, and high-quality programs.

This part-time, temporary role emphasizes leadership during school-year operations, weekend and closing shifts, and front-desk support as needed. Candidates must be certified lifeguards with First Aid, CPR, and AED, and ready to lead in emergencies.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years old and a high school graduate.
• Currently certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR, and AED.
• Experience as a lifeguard for at least two years; senior lifeguard experience is preferred.
• Available to work weekends, closing shifts during the school year.
• Willing to lead staff, manage customer interactions, and support daily aquatic-facility operations.
• Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training Instructor, and/or Title 22: First Aid for Public Safety Personnel certified, or willing to pursue these desirable qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the safety of aquatic programs, participants, and staff at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center.
• Open and/or close the aquatic facility during assigned school-year shifts.
• Lead staff and serve as the person in charge when supervisory staff are not present.
• Take the lead during emergencies and help ensure staff follow established safety procedures.
• Participate in the lifeguard rotation and perform secondary duties as needed.
• Support lap swim, water exercise classes, swim team practices, swim meets, and other aquatic programs.
• Assist with planning and leading off-season staff trainings.
• Provide cashier and front-desk support as needed after completing cashier training.
• Lead and supervise large groups of staff during major swim meet events.
• Teach swim lessons when needed, if Water Safety Instructor certified.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Safety-focused

Customer service

Dependable

Weekend availability

Education

High school diploma

Job description

The City of Pleasanton is excited to announce an opportunity for a dedicated individual to join our team as a Head Lifeguard in the Library and Recreation Department. In this part-time, temporary role, you will help lead daily operations at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center (DBAC), supporting the safety of participants, programs, and staff. Head Lifeguards serve in a leadership capacity during school-year operations and may be assigned to open or close the facility, with current needs focused on weekend and closing shifts. This position offers a dynamic, outdoor environment where your leadership, safety awareness, and customer service help provide high-quality aquatic programs for the Pleasanton community!

We're Looking for Someone Who Is

• An experienced lifeguard who is ready to take on a leadership role in a busy municipal aquatic facility.
• Safety-focused, decisive, and able to take the lead during daily operations and emergency situations.
• Customer service-minded, with the ability to communicate effectively and courteously with participants, staff, and supervisors.
• Dependable and flexible, with availability to work weekends, closing shifts, and other assigned shifts during the school year.
• Comfortable working outdoors and interacting with the public and a younger seasonal staff.
• Willing to complete cashier training and provide front-desk support as needed.

In This Role, You Will

• Oversee the safety of aquatic programs, participants, and staff at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center.
• Open and/or close the aquatic facility during assigned school-year shifts.
• Lead staff and serve as the person in charge when supervisory staff are not present.
• Take the lead during emergencies and help ensure staff follow established safety procedures.
• Participate in the lifeguard rotation and perform secondary duties as needed.
• Support lap swim, water exercise classes, swim team practices, swim meets, and other aquatic programs.
• Assist with planning and leading off-season staff trainings.
• Provide cashier and front-desk support as needed after completing cashier training.
• Lead and supervise large groups of staff during major swim meet events.
• Teach swim lessons when needed, if Water Safety Instructor certified.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

A Few Reasons You'll Love Working With Us

• You will have a meaningful role in helping provide safe, enjoyable aquatic programs for the Pleasanton community.
• You will gain valuable leadership experience by supervising shifts, supporting staff, and serving as the lead when management staff are unavailable.
• You will work in an active, outdoor environment and engage directly with community members.
• You will have variety in your work, supporting lap swim, water exercise, swim team activities, swim meets, front-desk operations, and staff development.
• You will be part of a team-oriented aquatic program and have opportunities to mentor and work alongside younger staff.
• You will build experience in facility operations, emergency response, cashiering, and large-event staffing.

A Few Challenges You Might Face

• Working a varied schedule, including weekends, early mornings, and late evenings; shifts may begin as early as 4:30 a.m. or end as late as 9:30 p.m.
• Balancing lifeguarding responsibilities with leadership, customer service, cashiering, and facility-operation duties.
• Responding calmly and effectively to emergencies, changing priorities, and high-volume aquatic events.
• Supervising and coordinating large groups of staff during swim meets and other major events.
• Working outdoors in changing weather conditions.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be

• At least 18 years old and a high school graduate.
• Currently certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR, and AED.
• Experienced as a lifeguard for at least two years; senior lifeguard experience is preferred.
• Available to work consistently during the school year, including weekends and closing shifts.
• Able to lead staff, manage customer interactions, and support daily aquatic-facility operations.
• A strong communicator who can act professionally, make sound decisions, and remain calm under pressure.
• Cashier-experienced or willing to complete cashier training.
• Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training Instructor, and/or Title 22: First Aid for Public Safety Personnel certified, or willing to pursue these desirable qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Expected to be flexible to cover all daily operation times including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be 18+ years old and graduated from high school.
• Must be available to consistently work during the school year.
• Possession of American Red Cross Certifications in: Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED
• Title 22: First Aid for the Public Safety Personnel (not required, but highly desirable)
• Water Safety Instructor (not required, but highly desirable)
• Lifeguard Training Instructor (not required, but highly desirable)
• At least 2 summer seasons or 1 summer seasons and 1 school year working as a Lifeguard and/or Water Safety Instructor (Senior Lifeguard experience preferred).
• Cashier experience highly desirable