Aquatic Specialist

Aquatic Specialist

Salary

$5,056.22 - $6,145.88 Monthly

Location

3230 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA 94804, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-024

Department

Community Services - Recreation

Opening Date

09/17/2026

Closing Date

10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Introduction

The City of Richmond Community Services Department - Recreation is currently accepting applications for a full-time Aquatics Specialist to join our team! This year-round position includes benefits and is essential for the efficient operation of Richmond's aquatic facilities, including the Richmond Plunge. We are seeking an experienced aquatic professional who is passionate about water safety, knowledgeable in pool operations, and dedicated to providing excellent service to our community.

Annual salary for this classification is as high as $73,750.56, at the top of the range, with approved Cost of Living Adjustments on July 1, 2027 (5%).

Additionally, City-paid benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, four weeks of paid parental leave, and more! All benefit information can be found in our Benefits Summary.

Position Description and Duties

The Aquatic Specialist assists in planning, organizing, implementing, and directing aquatic recreational programs and activities for children, adults, senior citizens, and the disabled at the Citys aquatic facilities.

The Ideal Candidate will have a background in lifeguarding, swim lesson instruction, experience leading aquatic trainings, a natural aptitude for leadership, and the ability to instruct diverse groups effectively. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone ready to make a positive impact in the community while advancing their career in aquatics.

The City of Richmond is the City of Pride and Purpose, and we value these traits in our employees!

The intent of this job specification is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Assists in planning and designing aquatic programs and instructional classes.
• Prepares schedules of approved activities and assigns staff.
• Maintains records of participation, supplies, and equipment and prepares simple reports.
• Organizes and teaches swimming and leads a variety of other aquatic activities.
• Meets with supervisor to discuss aquatic programming and planning.
• Identifies community programming needs; develops, conducts, and coordinates classes, programs, clinics, and special events in the area of aquatic activities.
• Works with community groups in order to provide information relating to aquatic activities and programs.
• Prepares materials publicizing aquatic programs and activities.
• Assists in recruiting, selecting, and scheduling lifeguard personnel; and monitors, directs, and evaluates lifeguard personnel.
• Performs lifeguard duties; monitors activities at an aquatic facility to prevent accidents; rescues swimmers in distress and provides first aid care for medical emergencies; educates and directs swimmers regarding unsafe behavior.
• Performs related duties as required.

Please click here to view the complete job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• One (1) year of college-level coursework in recreation, physical education, general education, or a related field

• One (1) year of work experience at a swimming facility with demonstrated experience performing the duties of the position

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities

Required License or Certifications

• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification

• Lifeguard Training Certificate

• Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside of Richmond to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a valid California drivers license and a satisfactory driving record is required

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

• It is the City's policy that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including the booster. New employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.

REQUIRED KSA FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Safety supervision of public swimming facilities
• Current methods and standards for lifeguarding public facilities
• Duties and responsibilities of lifeguards
• Health and safety regulations governing an aquatic facility
• Swimming rescue techniques
• First Aid and CPR
• Accident prevention and accident management
• Emergency response and accident management
• Intervention and conflict resolution strategies
• Methods of program and performance evaluation
• Swimming instruction methods and techniques
• Special issues associated with conducting activities for citizens possessing a wide variety of physical and mental abilities
• Team building techniques and supervision of lifeguards

Ability to:

• Provide leadership, direction, and training to lifeguard personnel

• Manage emergency situations and victim care

• Evaluate field emergencies and respond quickly and appropriately

• Enforce rules and regulations of an aquatic facility

• Develop and implement aquatic programs for a variety of skill levels

• Prepare written reports and memorandums

• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with personnel and the public in routine operations and emergency situations

• Use vision and hearing to identify and evaluate field emergencies and to respond Physically to these emergencies quickly and appropriately

• Swim with proficiency and endurance

• Perform and assist rescues

• Perform CPR and First Aid

• Work outdoors and indoors in a variety of temperatures

• Work a flexible schedule including holidays, nights, and weekends

Additional Information

Application and Selection Process

To Apply: Interested individuals must apply online by fully completing the City of Richmond Employment Application, including answers to supplemental questions, by 11:59 p.m. PST on the final filing date. Incomplete applications or those lacking in sufficiently detailed information will be rejected. Resumes or prior applications will not be accepted in lieu of a thoroughly completed application. All communication regarding this recruitment will be via email. Each applicant must apply with a monitored email address.

Qualifying Phase: All completed applications will be evaluated based on job-related qualifications criteria, which could include desirable qualifications and the specific needs of the hiring department(s). Candidates may be screened for better qualified.

Application Appraisal: The examination process for this position will consist of an application appraisal. All completed employment application packages will be evaluated and scored based on job-related qualifications criteria. An Employment List will be established, and your placement on this list will be determined entirely (100%) by information provided on the Employment Application and responses to the Supplemental Questions. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass.

• Meeting all of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee either advancement or placement on the Employment List.

Employment Eligibility List: A ranking of "A" (Best Qualified), "B" (Well Qualified), or "C" (Qualified) is required to achieve a position on the Employment Eligibility List. This List will be in effect for a maximum of two (2) years; however, the list may be canceled without notice after six (6) months.

• After establishing the Employment List, candidates will be referred to the hiring department for final interview(s).

Background Check and Tuberculosis Testing: Candidates will be required to complete a background check and Tuberculosis testing as a condition of employment.

About the City of Richmond

The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond's numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more segments of the Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks and open space. The City has substantial economic resources but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities. Our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged.

Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose!

Immigration Reform and Control Act

In compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United States as a condition of employment.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The City of Richmond is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, citizenship, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law.

Disaster Service Workers

California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declares all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found here.

EOE/ADA/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

WEBSITE: www.ci.richmond.ca.us

Analyst: N. Williams

09/2026

This position is covered by the SEIU Local 1021 General Employees Bargaining Unit. Click to view the General Employees' Benefits Summary Brochure or view the City of Richmond's Compensation Matrix.

The summary of benefits provided in these documents does not constitute a contract, express or implied, and any provisions contained in these documents may be modified or revoked without notice.

01

I certify that all information provided in my application and this Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of my knowledge and I understand that an incomplete application or false information will lead to disqualification from the selection process.

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Attended college (no degree) or trade school.
• Associates Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Masters Degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Not Applicable

03

How many years of completed college coursework do you have in recreation, physical education, general education, or a related field?

• 0 to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

04

If you indicated in Question #3 that you have completed college coursework in a related field, please specify your field of study. (Enter N/A if not applicable)

05

How many years of work experience do you have working in an aquatics or swim facility? (Experience selected must be described on your application.)

• 0 to 1 year
• 1 year to 2 years
• 2 years to 3 years
• 3 years to 5 years
• 5+ years

06

Do you currently hold a valid Lifeguard Training Certificate? (Certification must be attached to your application.)

• Yes
• No

07

Do you currently hold a valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification? (Certification must be attached to your application.)

• Yes
• No

08

Please list any certifications you hold related to aquatics, such as Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor Certification (LGI), Certified Pool Operator (CPO), or Water Safety Instructor (WSI). If you do not have any relevant certifications, please enter N/A (Certification must be attached to your application.)

09

Describe your experience with planning and organizing youth swim lesson programs and activities in an aquatic facility?

10

Please describe your experience training, mentoring, and directing newly hired lifeguards. Include specific examples of how you coordinated work assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing, ensure pool safety, and support effective aquatic operations.

11

Please describe your experience mentoring, directing, and coordinating newly hired lifeguard staff. Include specific examples of how you organized work assignments and schedules to ensure adequate coverage and maintain a safe aquatic environment.

12

Please describe your experience teaching pre-registered aquatic programs, such as swim lessons. Include specific examples of your responsibilities, including communicating with participants and parents or guardians and providing high-quality customer service.

Required Question

Employer City of Richmond (CA)

Address 450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 310

Richmond, California, 94804-1630

Phone 510-620-6602

Website https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us