Water Safety Instructor, PT (continuous)

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

Job summary

The City of Oakland’s Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department is hiring part-time Water Safety Instructors for its aquatic centers. You will teach swimming, enforce safety rules, and support Learn-to-Swim programs while coordinating with staff across facilities.

Applicants should have at least one year of aquatics experience, current Red Cross Water Safety Instruction, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR certifications, and be 17 or older.

Qualifications

• One year of aquatics experience.
• Current Red Cross certifications in Water Safety Instruction, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for Lifeguards with AED.

Responsibilities

• Ensure pool patrons' safety by enforcing rules and administering first aid.
• Provide swimming lessons to all ages following American Red Cross guidelines.
• Supervise Water Safety Aides in the Learn-to-Swim program.
• Assist the Pool Manager in coordinating water safety instruction.
• Complete records including accident reports and time slips.
• Aid in patron registration for swim classes and maintain positive community relations.

Skills

Customer service

Team player

Community engagement

Safety awareness

Job description

2026 OAKLAND PARKS, RECREATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland's Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department?

With an emphasis on Oakland’s youth, the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) Department, and its partners will provide best-in-class, relevant, and equitable programs and services, while meeting the specific needs of people and communities both at the neighborhood level and regionally throughout the City of Oakland. We achieve this mission through intentional engagement and by removing the barriers that prohibit equitable opportunities for all. OPRYD believes that communities thrive when they play with a purpose. Our purpose is to Expose, Enlighten, Empower, and Encourage Educational Excellence through recreational experiences.

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill multiple part-time Water Safety Instructor positions in the Oakland Parks and Recreation Aquatic Centers for both seasonal and year-round employment. Working hours will vary from week to week.

Water Safety Instructors perform a variety of duties at the City's pools including swimming instruction, coordination of the Water Safety Instruction (WSI) program, and other aquatic activities.

For a list of all OPRYD Pools here.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Customer service oriented and known for providing exceptional customer service, going above and beyond to meet customer needs, and leaving a lasting impression on their experience.
• A team player who is a strong collaborator and skilled at building meaningful connections across departments and divisions, and throughout the community with a commitment to achieving OPRYD’s mission.
• Interested in community engagement and enthusiastic about playing an active role in the Oakland community.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Ensuring pool patrons' safety and well-being by enforcing rules, preventing accidents, and administering first aid
• Providing swimming lessons to all ages and abilities, following American Red Cross guidelines
• Supervising and directing Water Safety Aides in the "Learn-to-swim" program
• Assisting the Pool Manager in coordinating and implementing water safety instruction
• Completing all necessary records, including accident reports, and time slips
• Aiding in patron registration for swim classes and maintaining positive community relations

Read the complete job description by clicking here.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be part of a fun team
• You will engage with community members and build positive relationships
• Your work will result in a safer environment for all

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need handle customer complaints
• You may have to travel to multiple/various sites/recreation centers

Competencies Required:

• Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying, preventing and addressing health risks and safety hazards

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable:

Experience:

One year of aquatics experience. Previous experience as a swim coach or competitive swimmer is highly desirable.

Certifications:

Current Red Cross certifications in Water Safety Instruction, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for Lifeguards with AED or CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED

Please scan and attach these required certifications to your application. Failure to submit these required certifications will result in disqualification from the selection process.

Other Requirements:

Candidates must be at least seventeen (17) years or older to apply.

Candidates who receive offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance and have a physical examination including a TB screening.

Work Permits:

Minors will be subject to state guidelines and restrictions governing their employment while employed with the City of Oakland. This shall include applicable work permits, records, hours worked, and time reporting guidelines. Minors seeking information regarding work permits should contact their local school district. When applicable, work permits must be obtained prior to beginning employment.

The Recruitment Process:

This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to OPRYD for further consideration.

Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Note: Subsequent Oral Interviews and Water Tests will be scheduled periodically. Confirmed 2026 OPRYD Aquatics Oral Exam and Water Testing Dates are below:

• Monday, January 5, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, February 4, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Spring Hiring) 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM DeFremery Pool
• Friday, April 3, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Sunday, April 12, 2026 (Summer Hiring) 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM DeFremery Pool
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, May 27, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Friday, June 12, 2026 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM DeFremery Pool
• Friday, July 11, 2025 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM DeFremery Pool
• Wednesday, August 16, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, September 10, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Friday, September 19, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Monday, October 13, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Temescal Pool

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.