TEMP Lifeguard II - Head Lifeguard

City of Pleasanton, CA; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Pleasanton is seeking a Head Lifeguard for the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center to lead daily operations, supervise staff, and uphold safety standards during school-year hours. This part-time, temporary role emphasizes leadership, customer service, and program support in an outdoor municipal facility.

You’ll open/close the center, contribute to lifeguard rotations, assist with trainings, and provide front-desk support as needed after cashier training.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate.
• Current ARC Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
• Lifeguard experience of at least 2 years; senior lifeguard preferred.
• Available to work weekends, closing shifts, and other assigned shifts during the school year.

Responsibilities

• Oversee 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 ensure staff follow 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 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

Lifeguard leadership

Safety management

Customer service

Effective communication

Cashier training

Outdoor adaptability

Tools

Cashier training

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.