Part Time Lifeguard/Senior Lifeguard

Summary/Class Characteristics

Part Time Lifeguard/Senior Lifeguard

The City of Petaluma is looking to fill several Lifeguard positions at the Petaluma Swim Center. Successful candidates will be hired at the Lifeguard I, Lifeguard II, or Senior Lifeguard level, dependent upon their qualifications and experience. All Lifeguard positions must possess, or have the ability to obtain an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification at time of hire. Any applicant that participates in a City of Petaluma hosted training course will be eligible for a partial refund after 320 hours worked. Once hired, lifeguards will be paid to attend any required training, and the certification will be provided by the City.

This is a part-time, at-will, non-benefited position. Shifts start as early as 5am and end as late as 9pm. Shifts vary by season, but will include working weekends and holidays.

This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close at any time. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early for first consideration. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Applications received by August 25, 2025, will be considered for interviews the week of September 2nd.

Summary
Lifeguard I/II assures the safety and enjoyment of City of Petaluma aquatics program participants. Senior Lifeguards assure the safety and enjoyment of City of Petaluma aquatics program participants, as well as the training and effectiveness of Lifeguard I/IIs.

Level I - Lifeguard I:

This entry-level position within the Lifeguard series is characterized by the performance of more routine tasks and duties while working under the direction of a higher-level staff member. Employees at this level are expected to learn and explain safe swimming practices, pool rules, and department regulations.

Level II - Lifeguard II:

This is the journey level in this classification series. Employees at this level are expected to coach new lifeguards and demonstrate advanced knowledge of safe practices and aquatic center operations. Incumbents must demonstrate sound independent judgment.

Senior Lifeguard:
This is the advanced journey-level class in the Lifeguard series, in which incumbents directly supervise, train, and schedule Lifeguards and other front-line recreation staff, take lead in emergency situations, and assume primary responsibility for aquatic center operations.

All Lifeguards vigilantly monitor the safety of swimmers and guests in the aquatics’ facilities. All Lifeguards will be trained and certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid.

Class Characteristics
Lifeguard I/II:

Under direction of Senior Lifeguards or other higher-level recreation staff, Lifeguards assure safety of Petaluma Swim Center participants. Additionally, they provide customer service and support aquatic center operations.

Senior Lifeguard:
Senior Lifeguards assure the safety of aquatics center participants and facilities. They supervise, train, and schedule Lifeguard I/IIs. They also oversee front-line Recreation Leaders and Recreation Aides that are working at the pool, to create a unified site. Additionally, they provide exceptional customer service and lead aquatic center operations.

Senior Lifeguards vigilantly monitor the safety of swimmers and guests in the aquatics facility. Senior Lifeguards demonstrate mastery of all essential duties of Lifeguard I/IIs.

Duties

Lifeguard I:

Learn and apply best practices in swimming, water rescues, and life-saving procedures, including CPR, AED, and First Aid.

Attentively observe swimmers, recognize their needs, and initiate actions to assist.

Communicate and solicit compliance with pool rules and department policies.

Assist in delivery of swim instruction and aquatics classes; may serve as only lifeguard on duty for aquatics classes.

Perform light custodial and maintenance duties such as hosing the deck, removing/applying pool covers, maintaining tidiness, and sanitizing equipment.

Check and log pH and chlorine levels at set intervals and report any imbalances to lead/supervisor.

Record and report accidents and incidents, and inform lead/supervisor of potential hazards.

Interact courteously with participants, their families, and other pool guests.

Provide information to the public, promote aquatics and other recreation programs, communicate department policies, and follow-up regarding questions/concerns received.

Monitor activity locations and report any security concerns.

Process activity sales/operates cash register.

Collect and enter participant data.

Maintain and organize supplies and equipment.

Prepare materials (e.g. life vests, kickboards, etc.) for group activities.

Perform similar duties in support of aquatics programs and/or aquatic center operations.

Lifeguard II (in addition to all the duties described in Lifeguard I):

Coach Lifeguard I in best practices in City of Petaluma aquatics operations, customer service, along with pool and facility cleanliness.

Provide immediate feedback to Lifeguard I to ensure safe practices are properly enforced.

Learn and perform administrative tasks in support of Senior Lifeguard, such as scheduling staff to meet program needs, ordering supplies, and similar tasks.

Address complex customer service matters, including de-escalating upset guests and/or expulsion of guests not in compliance with pool rules and department policies.

Take action to mitigate hazards and improve pool water quality and facility safety.

May manage incident response in absence of Senior Lifeguard.

May serve as only lifeguard on duty for swim meets, aquatics classes, rentals, or other special events at the aquatic facility.

Senior Lifeguard:

Train Lifeguard I/IIs in best practices in swimming, customer service, water rescues, and life-saving procedures, including CPR, AED, and First Aid.

Perform rescues.

Assume lead in emergency situations.

Prepare clear and concise incident reports; maintain proper documentation.

Schedule, assign, and monitor Lifeguard I/IIs and other front-line recreation staff in the performance of their daily duties.

Provide constructive and corrective feedback to lower-level employees; unassign staff not performing to standard.

Attentively observe swimmers, assess and recognize their abilities, and assign employees to assist.

Conduct and direct set-up and clean-up of facilities; may be responsible for opening and/or closing duties, including oversight of counting and depositing cash, setting alarms, and similar tasks.

Perform and direct regular inspections of equipment and facilities; correct any potentially unsafe conditions.

Perform and direct various light custodial and routine maintenance duties to maintain clean and safe aquatics facilities.

Order and maintain supplies necessary for aquatics programs.

Address complex and elevated customer service matters.

Enforce department policies, including expulsion of pool guests not in compliance with pool rules and department policies.

Attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings; coordinate activities with Recreation division colleagues.

Perform similar duties in support of aquatics programs and/or aquatic center Operations.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of customer service.

Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

N/A

Experience:

Lifeguard I

N/A

Lifeguard II

Possession of a minimum of one season (or equivalent to 320 hours) of lifeguarding experience.

Senior Lifeguard

Possession of a minimum of two seasons (or 640 hours) of lifeguarding experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

Lifeguard I

Possession of, or ability to obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification at time of hire.

Lifeguard II/Senior Lifeguard

Possession of American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification at the time of hire.

Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification and/or Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certifications are highly desirable.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, dependent upon the specific task. Employees must be able to lift children and adults, in and out of the pool, up to 100 pounds (or more, with assistance). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Positions require the employee to be exposed to outside weather conditions and exposed to strong odors. The noise level is moderate to loud.

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• City of Petaluma

• 707-778-4534

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