Temporary Aquatics Instructor (Year-Round)

Temporary Aquatics Instructor (Year-Round)

Salary

$18.70 - $22.73 Hourly

Location

City of Santa Cruz, CA

Job Type

Temporary

Job Number

26-069

Department

Parks & Recreation

Opening Date

05/07/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The City of Santa Cruz is currently recruiting for year-round outdoor Aquatic Instructors for Harvey West Pool. Water Safety Instructor certificate issued by the American Red Cross is highly desirable. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early!

Under supervision, instructs a variety of swimming programs and lessons, lifeguards for swimming activities, performs related duties to assist with the implementation of pool programs and other duties as assigned.

To learn more about Harvey West Pool, please visit: https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Parks-Recreation/Community-Spaces/Harvey-West-Pool

To learn more about the American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Certifications, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding

This temporary position is represented by the SEIU bargaining unit. Temporary positions are limited to a total of 999 hours per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

SELECTION PROCESS:

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Santa Cruz in an equal opportunity employer.

• Applications will be screened on a continuous basis. This recruitment is subject to close at any time.

• Completed city application is required along with proof of any certifications. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to the position.

• Applications will be screened based on the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a skills test, which is detailed below. The most qualified candidates who pass the skills test will then be invited to participate in the interview process.

• Prior to appointment, a pre-employment process must be successfully completed. The pre-employment process includes, but is not limited to, successfully completing a Department of Justice fingerprint check, filling out new hire paperwork, and attending a Human Resources appointment. New hires who are under the age of 18 at time of hire will be required to complete an "Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for a Work Permit" in accordance with the State of California Department of Education.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, the following)

• Instructs swimming classes; includes compiling class rosters, preparing lesson plans, evaluating and testing students, preparing student certificates, and conferring with parents.
• Assists in determining swimming instruction needs, developing classes, developing brochure information and other promotions, and evaluating programs.
• Assists the public as necessary by providing program information, answering public inquiries, handling or referring complaints, posting notices, and interpreting pool rules and policies.
• Responds to emergency situations, administering first aid and primary care as needed and completing accident/incident reports.
• Ensures lifeguard-swimmer and instructor-student ratios.
• May perform lifeguarding duties as needed, enforcing pool rules and state health and safety laws.
• Perform clerical duties as needed; organize office materials; and files pool operation information.
• Inventories and maintain instructional equipment and supplies.
• Reports on necessary pool repairs as appropriate.
• May perform or direct light pool maintenance and facility cleaning duties.
• Completes and maintains daily reports and records, assigned.
• Perform cashiering duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 17 years of age.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of swimming instruction, lifeguard training, CPR and First Aid.
• General knowledge of the operation of pool maintenance systems.
• Ability to develop creative pool instruction programs.
• Effectively teach swimming and lifesaving skills.
• Must pass written and practical skills tests (see below).
• Ability to follow and give written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively to emergency situations.
• Ability to enforce and explain divisional policies and procedures.
• Independently initiate and complete work activities.
• Ability to interact effectively and tactfully with a wide variety of individuals.
• Willingness to work irregular schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and Holidays.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Certifications

A photo copy of the following current certifications must be submitted along with completed application as well as continued maintenance of current status in:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Training; and
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer; and
• Any of the following:
• First Aid Title 22; or
• Emergency Response; or
• First Responder; or
• or any equivalent to the above.

Desirable Qualifications

• Water Safety Instructor (WSI).
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Other Requirements

• Attend all staff meetings as required.
• Wear program uniform provided by department.
• Background clearance of all potential employees is required prior to official hiring start date.
• Proof of negative tuberculosis test or clear chest x-ray results within the last two (2) years.

SKILLS TEST

• 100-yard swim in under two (2) minutes.
• 500-yard swim in under ten (10) minutes.
• Swim under water for 25 yards.
• Tread water for three (3) minutes with 10lb brick.
• Perform various rescues.
• Perform CPR.
• Perform Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Sidestroke with technical correctness.
• Pass American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and CPR-FPR test with a score of 80% or better.

Career Ladder

N/A

The City of Santa Cruz offer benefits to temporary employees such as reimbursement up to $100 per quarter for a portion of health care costs (employee must work more than 220 hours in defined quarter) and discount bus pass program. Temporary service employees are eligible to participate in the CalPERS long term care insurance program.

Upon completion of 600 hours worked, employees receive 19 hours in-lieu time, and for every 200 hours of work thereafter, employees receive 9 hours of in-lieu time. In-Lieu time can be used for paid leave or paid in cash. The terms of listed benefits are subject to change, depending upon current MOU and future negotiations.

See MOU.

01

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: The following supplemental questions are designed to obtain specific information regarding your work experience. Please answer each question as thoroughly as possible, as your responses will be utilized to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. All experience described here must correspond to employers listed in the Work Experience section of your application to receive credit. Please refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Applicants are responsible to clearly, completely, and accurately describe their qualifications. You may attach a resume, but this cannot be used in lieu of completing an application. Failure to complete all required questions and/or providing incomplete responses may result in an incomplete application. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area, please write "N/A."

• I acknowledge that I have read and understood these instructions

02

Candidates are required to be 17 years old at time of hire. I meet this requirement:

• Yes
• No

03

Applicants will be required to participate in and pass a written and physical skills test in order to advance to the interview portion of the recruitment. I understand this requirement:

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires a valid Lifeguard Certification from the American Red Cross at time of hire. I possess this certification and have attached a copy to my application.

• Yes
• No

05

This position requires a valid CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification at time of hire. I possess this certification and have attached a copy to my application

• Yes
• No

06

From the list provided below, please select the appropriate certifications that you possess from the list below. Select all that apply. A copy of the selected certification(s) must be attached to your application in order to receive credit.

• Title 22 First Aid
• Emergency Response
• First Responder
• I do not possess any of the above listed certifications

07

Please describe your working knowledge of the principles and practices of swimming instruction, lifeguard training, CPR, and First Aid.

08

Desirable Qualifications: From the list provided below, please select the desirable certifications that you possess. Select all that apply. A copy of the selected certification(s) must be attached to your application in order to receive credit.

• Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• I do not possess either of the above listed desirable certifications

Required Question

Employer City of Santa Cruz

Address 809 Center St.

Room 6

Santa Cruz, California, 95060

Phone 831-420-5040

Website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com