Lifeguard/Senior Lifeguard

Lifeguard/Senior Lifeguard

Salary

$20.00 - $23.91 Hourly

Location

Montanoso Recreation - 25800 Montanoso Drive Mission Viejo, CA

Job Type

Hourly, Seasonal and/or Temporary

Job Number

2627-05

Department

Recreation and Community Services

Opening Date

08/21/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for

LIFEGUARD

$20.00 - $25.11 per hour

SENIOR LIFEGUARD

$21.73 - $27.62 per hour

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

The City of Mission Viejo is seeking lifeguards of all ages for year-round work at the recreation centers. Older adults, retirees, college students and athletes looking for rewarding part-time work are encouraged to apply and join our team! Check out some of our fantastic lifeguards on our Instagram and Facebook pages!

There are six (6) current vacancies within the Recreation & Community Services Department that requires the ability to work a minimum of 12 and up to 19 hours per week at Montanoso or Sierra Recreation and Fitness Centers. Selection of an applicant to fill vacant positions may be made from either the Lifeguard or Senior Lifeguard classifications and will be based on the applicant that most closely meets the education and experience requirements of each position.

Lifeguards and Senior Lifeguards primarily work a combination of the following shifts: Monday through Friday from 5:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m.

Lifeguards and Senior Lifeguards are classified as Hourly or Seasonal employees and are not part of the competitive service. Incumbents will work a flexible part-time schedule, with a minimum of 12 to 19 hours per week, with increased scheduling during peak workload periods, but less than 1,000 hours during assignments through the fiscal year starting July 1st and ending June 30th.

Recreation Centers are open Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These positions may be rotated through Recreation & Community Services facilities. The employee's weekly schedule may vary depending on the needs of the City. The eligibility list established for this current recruitment may be used to fill future Lifeguard and Senior Lifeguard vacancies.

RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:

This is an ongoing recruitment that will be closed once all positions have been filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early as application review and interviews will be conducted weekly by the hiring supervisor. It is the intent of the City to have all positions filled as soon as possible.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

Your impact

• Act as a lifeguard during pool hours and at all events held at the pool and administer first aid;
• Implement and enforce City policies, rules, and procedures;
• Listen and respond to patrons needs for assistance or information and provide the public with general information, in person or over the phone;
• Remove and replace pool covers, test the temperature, chlorine and PH values of the pool water, and perform routine pool maintenance as required;
• Attend training sessions for and perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and minor first aid on infants, children and adults in cases of emergency;
• Monitor facility use; open, close, and secure building for events and assist in the supervision and preparation of the facility and amenities for patron use; issues and collect recreation equipment and supplies;
• Assist in the encouragement of participation and good sportsmanship; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Senior Lifeguard - in addition to the above:

• Provide on-site supervision of lifeguards and supervision of daily aquatic operations; and
• Assist with staff training and lifeguard classes.

Other Job Related Duties:

• Perform a variety of clerical or technical tasks in support of City programs and maintains a variety of accurate logs, records, and files;
• May instruct swimming classes for beginners through advanced levels;
• Perform basic custodial duties and minor facility maintenance as assigned; and
• Conduct and participate in group recreational activities.

Applicants are encouraged to review the entire Lifeguard and Senior Lifeguard job descriptions by visiting the City's website at http://cityofmissionviejo.org.

Your Team

The members of the Mission Viejo Recreation and Community Services Department are passionate about increasing quality of life for our residents and members through Public Service, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, and Excellence. They are looking for someone with the same commitment to service and team spirit to join them.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Able to work a minimum of 12 up to 19 hours per week;
• Possess excellent communication and customer services skills in person and over the telephone;
• Possess a general understanding of aquatics facility health and safety programs;
• Learn, understand and apply facility use policies and procedures;
• Work independently while supervising facilities and user groups;
• Handle medical emergencies and injuries in a calm and effective manner, including providing basic first aid and/or adult and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
• Use AED machine to support lifesaving measures throughout the facility as required.

Job Related and Essential Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and techniques of lifeguarding, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) methods and first aid, including rescuer methods as defined by the American Red Cross, National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Training Program (NPWLTP) or YMCA.
• Methods for keeping water and surrounding areas safer for public use; safe handling and use of chemicals.
• Basic arithmetic.
• Applicable safety precautions and procedures related to the program area(s) and facilities to which assigned.
• Basic principles and techniques involved in teaching swimming at all levels.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
• Techniques of dealing with individuals of various ages and from various socio-economic groups and for effectively representing the City in contacts with users and the community.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Safe work practices.

Skill in:

• Learning and understanding the organization and operation of the assigned department and of the outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Working independently while supervising facilities and user groups.
• Performing work in an efficient, effective, safe, and timely manner.
• Providing courteous assistance to facility patrons.
• Performing water chemistry tests.
• Using appropriate safety equipment when handling pool chemicals and equipment.
• Handling medical emergencies and injuries in a calm and effective manner, including providing basic first aid and/or adult and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Maintaining facilities and equipment in a clean, safe and secure manner.
• Preparing clear and concise reports.
• Accessing, retrieving, entering, and updating information using a computer terminal.
• Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment, software programs, and audio-visual equipment.

Experience and Training and License/Certificate

QUALIFICATIONS

Lifeguard: Equivalent to the completion of ninth (9th) grade and experience as a lifeguard and/or prior aquatics experience is highly desirable.

Senior Lifeguard: Equivalent to 1,500 hours of lifeguard experience in a swimming pool or aquatics facility, and the equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Lifeguard:

• Possession of the following valid certifications at the time of appointment: Lifeguard Training or Basic Lifeguarding Certificate; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) for Infant, Child, and Adult; and Standard First Aid Certificate;
• Applicants not already certified will be required to pass the American Red Cross pre-requisite swim tests prior to being extended a conditional job offer.
• Successful candidate will be required to complete Title 22 requirements within six (6) months of appointment;
• Applicants must be 15 ½ years of age or older at the time of appointment for Lifeguard; and
• Applicants under the age of 18, that are required to attend school, must provide a California Workers Permit.

Senior Lifeguard:

• Possession of the following valid certifications at the time of appointment: Lifeguard Training or Basic Lifeguarding Certificate; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) for Infant, Child, and Adult; and Standard First Aid Certificate;
• Successful candidate will be required to complete Title 22 requirements within six (6) months of appointment; and
• Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of appointment for Senior Lifeguard.

No benefits available for this position.

01

The following supplemental questions will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position and will be used in conjunction with your application to evaluate your experience, knowledge and skills. Do not refer to your application and/or resume when completing these questions. Do you understand and acknowledge these instructions?

• Yes
• No

02

This is not a retired annuitant position as defined by CalPERS. Appointment to this position may require reinstatement from CalPERS retirement. Are you a CalPERS retiree?

• Yes
• No

03

Recreation Centers are open Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please list days and hours you are available as seen in the example below: Availability: Mon - Fri: 8am to 1:00pm Sat and Sun: all day

04

Which location(s) are you interested in working?

• Montanoso Recreation & Fitness Center
• Sierra Recreation & Fitness Center
• Both locations

05

Are you at least fifteen and half (15 ½) years of age to qualify for Lifeguard?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you at least eighteen (18) years of age to qualify for Senior Lifeguard?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess two (2) years or 1,500 hours of lifeguard experience in a swimming pool or aquatics facility, and the equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade to qualify for Senior Lifeguard?

• Yes
• No

08

Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain a valid American Red Cross or American Heart Association Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) for Infant, Child, and Adult is required within three (3) months of appointment. Please identify which of the above certifications you currently possess, if any. If none, are you able to obtain your required certifications within three (3) months of hire?

09

Why do you want to work for the City of Mission Viejo?

10

Describe your swimming and/or lifeguarding experience. Include where you gained this experience and how many years you have been swimming and/or lifeguarding.

11

Describe your experience dealing courteously and effectively with the public. Include your definition of Excellent Customer Service and provide a clear example of when you provided such service.

Required Question

Employer City of Mission Viejo

Address 200 Civic Center

Mission Viejo, California, 92691

Phone 949.470.3060

Website https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org