Certified Water Safety Instructor Jobs in Riverside, CA

The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to our community.

This is a seasonal, part-time position. Assignment at a City pool will end in September 2026. The incumbent(s) may work up to 960 hours per Fiscal year. Work hours and schedules vary according to program and participant needs.

This recruitment is open until further notice and can close at any time. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Vacancies will be filled continuously and candidates may only hear from the department if selected for an interview. Bilingual pay is an additional $1.01/hour, if applicable.

• Oversees and monitors pool activities to ensure patron safety through vigilant surveillance and consistent enforcement of safety regulations.
• Provides on-deck leadership and operational support for smooth and safe facility operations.
• Proactively conducts safety checks of pool areas, equipment, and rescue devices; promptly reports hazards or maintenance needs.
• Monitors lifeguard and swim instructor performance on deck to ensure proper techniques, rotation practices, class control, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Provides real-time coaching, reminders, and guidance to aquatics staff to reinforce safety standards, instructional quality, and professionalism.
• Assists with coordinating swim instructor and lifeguard rotations, break coverage, and zone assignments during operating hours.
• Responds to emergencies and performs rescues in accordance to training.
• Administers first aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), artificial respiration, and operates Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) as required in accordance with established protocols.
• Mentors and trains lifeguards, supporting skill development, situational awareness, and emergency readiness.
• Leads or assists with routine trainings and emergency drills to ensure staff preparedness and effective response.
• Provides customer service to patrons by answering questions and addressing concerns professionally.
• Performs opening and closing duties and communicates safety or operational concerns to management.
• Contributes to staff scheduling and other administrative duties.
• Supports the implementation of aquatic programs, special events, and activities.
• Performs lifeguard and water safety instructor duties as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications may be met via an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training sufficient to perform the essential job functions. Experience and education must provide the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Experience: Two and a half (2.5) months of experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor in an aquatics program.

Special Requirement:

• Must be at least sixteen (16) years of age at the time of hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, or alternative transportation that meets operational needs.
• Must be willing and able to work irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, days, and evenings, on a regular basis.
• Must possess by date of hire and maintain the following American Red Cross certifications:
  1. Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
  2. First Aid
  3. Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
• Must possess and maintain Title 22 (First Aid for Public Safety Personnel) certification within one (1) year of hire

If you do not possess the required certifications, the City may assist you in obtaining them at a minimal cost ($55) to you.

Highly Desirable:

• Bilingual proficiency in English and one of the following: Spanish, Vietnamese, or American Sign Language (ASL).
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certification.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer certification.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer certification.
• Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) or Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Safety guidelines and preventative safety rules for pool environments. Swim stroke techniques and instructional methods. Lifeguarding, rescue methods, and first aid techniques as applied to aquatic environments. American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim curriculum and age-appropriate instruction methods. Customer service principles and techniques. Basic conflict resolution principles and techniques. Principles of leadership and consensus-building techniques. Basic principles of training and staff development.

Skill in: Swimming with proficiency and endurance. Performing water rescues, CPR, and first aid. Providing clear instruction, coaching, and feedback to staff.

Ability to: Prevent accidents and effectuate swimming rescues. Work with children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. Understand and verbally communicate effectively in English to the public. Answer questions about a wide range of aquatics subjects. Handle a variety of emergency situations specific to aquatic facilities. Enforce pool rules, regulations, and safety practices consistently. Supervise and evaluate the effective patron surveillance of lifeguard staff. Provide leadership and guidance to less experienced staff. Instruct swimming lessons and demonstrate proper techniques. Exercise sound judgment in a variety of situations. Follow oral and written instructions. Maintain accurate records and reports. Maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, supervisors, and the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions: Work is performed primarily outdoors at community swimming pools. Occasional travel to different sites may be required. Incumbents are exposed to extreme heat (including over one hundred (100) degrees), sunlight, variable weather conditions, pool water and pool chemicals, chlorine and other chemical disinfectants, moderate to high noise levels, and slippery and uneven pool deck surfaces. Incumbents may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, and other health hazards during rescue and first aid situations.

Physical Conditions: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in and around swimming pools for extended periods; utilize and operate safety equipment; swim with proficiency and endurance; spend prolonged periods in pool water (up to eight (8) hours per day); continuously stand, walk, and sit; frequently kneel, crouch, bend, twist, reach, and climb; occasionally run and react quickly to lifesaving emergencies; perform strenuous physical activity requiring physical strength and endurance when performing water rescues; lift, carry, push, pull, drag, and grasp equipment and rescue victims weighing up to seventy-five (75) pounds; maintain visual acuity to monitor swimmers and pool areas; utilize hearing to detect distress and communicate with patrons and staff; operate motor vehicles or use alternative transportation that meets operational needs, and speak clearly to provide instruction and enforce safety rules.

1. All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form online, as well as complete the supplemental questionnaire. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City online application.

Click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide.

The Human Resources Department and the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department will review all applications and those candidates who possess the most pertinent qualifications may be invited for an oral interview and Lifeguard training by the hiring agency. If you have any questions regarding the job duties or schedule, please call Evelyn Medina at (714) 571-4239.

2. Attend Selection Interviews and In-Water Post-Interview Skill Assessment based on American Red Cross Lifeguarding course standards on the date you are scheduled.

In-Water Post-Interview Skill Assessment:

• Swim 300 yards continuously using front crawl and/or breaststroke (goggles permitted).

• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.

• Complete a timed event in 1 minute, 40 seconds, which includes:

• Swimming 20 yards
• Performing a surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound object from 7–10 feet deep
• Swimming back 20 yards on the surface while holding the object with