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Lifeguard County Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CA · On-site

$18 - $19.80/hr

Lifeguard Responsible for protecting the safety of members and participants in and around aquatic ... North County - Mottino Family YMCA (Oceanside) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 ...

CA

$18 - $19.80/hr

Overview Lifeguard Responsible for protecting the safety of members and participants in and around ... North County - Mottino Family YMCA (Oceanside) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 ...

Lifeguard

San Diego, CA · On-site

$18 - $19.80/hr

Overview Lifeguard Responsible for protecting the safety of members and participants in and around ... North County - Mottino Family YMCA (Oceanside) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 ...

Lifeguard

Orange, CA · On-site

$18 - $18.50/hr

Lifeguard - This position supports the missions and operations of the Orange County Scouting America and the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young ...

Lifeguard

Orange, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.50/hr

Lifeguard This position supports the missions and operations of the Orange County Scouting America and the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young ...

Lifeguard

Sausalito, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

Summer 2026 Lifeguard Position at McNear's Beach Pool We are now hiring for the Summer 2026 Season ... All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law ...

ABOUT US Marin County Parks manages 40 public parks and pathways, and 18,500 acres of open space ... Senior Lifeguards will be assigned to work the season at McNear's Beach Park in San Rafael. McNear ...

Assistant Lifeguard

San Diego, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $18/hr

Overview Assistant Lifeguard Responsible for protecting the safety of members and participants in ... North County - Mottino Family YMCA (Oceanside) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 ...

Lifeguard

Orange, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.50/hr

Lifeguard - This position supports the missions and operations of the Orange County Scouting America and the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young ...

Lifeguard

Orange, CA · On-site

$18 - $18.50/hr

Lifeguard - This position supports the missions and operations of the Orange County Scouting America and the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young ...

Lifeguard

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$16 - $20.25/hr

Lifeguard Position at McNear's Beach Pool We are now hiring for the Summer 2026 Season! There's no ... County Employees as Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster ...

Lifeguard I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$26.20 - $31.46/hr

JOB INFORMATION LIFEGUARD I CANDIDATES MUST APPLY BEFORE TAKING THE PERFORMANCE TEST. ONCE ... A current County of San Diego Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate will satisfy the EMR ...

Lifeguard (Part Time)

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $23.98/hr

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful ... Lifeguard is a part-time year-round position. Under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor ...

Lifeguard

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$18.21 - $19.21/hr

The Sonoma County Family YMCA is hiring Certified Lifeguards to help create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for swimmers of all ages. Whether you're looking for morning, afternoon, evening ...

Lifeguard

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$18.21 - $19.21/hr

The Sonoma County Family YMCA is hiring Certified Lifeguards to help create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for swimmers of all ages. Whether you're looking for morning, afternoon, evening ...

Lifeguard (Part Time)

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $23.98/hr

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful ... Lifeguard is a part-time year-round position. Under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor ...

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Lifeguard County information

What is a lifeguard county?

Lifeguard County jobs refer to positions where individuals are employed by a county government to supervise swimming areas such as public pools, beaches, and water parks. County lifeguards are responsible for ensuring the safety of swimmers, preventing accidents, and responding quickly to emergencies. They often receive specialized training in water rescue, CPR, and first aid. These roles may also involve educating the public about water safety and maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the aquatic environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lifeguard county?

To thrive as a Lifeguard County, you need strong swimming abilities, knowledge of water safety practices, and current certification in lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid. Familiarity with rescue equipment, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and facility-specific emergency protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, quick decision-making, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for monitoring swimmers and responding to emergencies. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure the safety of patrons and enable swift, appropriate action during critical situations.

What are some common challenges faced by lifeguards working at county facilities, and how can they prepare for them?

Lifeguards at county facilities often face the challenge of monitoring large, diverse crowds and responding to a wide range of emergencies, from minor injuries to life-threatening situations. They must remain vigilant during long shifts, sometimes in varying weather conditions, and enforce safety rules diplomatically with patrons of all ages. To prepare, it's helpful to maintain strong physical fitness, regularly refresh rescue and first aid skills, and develop effective communication strategies for interacting with both the public and team members. Ongoing training and teamwork are essential for handling the dynamic environment of county pools or beaches.

What is the difference between Lifeguard County vs Lifeguard City?

AspectLifeguard CountyLifeguard City
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, Lifeguard CertificationCPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Certification
Work EnvironmentPublic pools, beaches, water parks in county areasPublic pools, beaches, water parks in city areas
Employer & IndustryCounty government, public recreation departmentsCity government, municipal recreation departments
Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Both Lifeguard County and Lifeguard City roles require similar certifications and work in aquatic environments like pools and beaches. The main difference lies in their employer and jurisdiction, with County lifeguards working for county agencies and City lifeguards employed by municipal departments. The job duties and certification requirements are largely comparable, making them similar roles within the public aquatic safety sector.

Where do lifeguards get paid the most?

Lifeguards tend to earn the highest wages in areas with high living costs, popular tourist destinations, or affluent communities. Factors such as experience, certifications, and the type of facility also influence pay rates, with private clubs and resorts often offering higher wages than public pools or beaches.

What are popular job titles related to Lifeguard County jobs in California?

For Lifeguard County jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lifeguard County jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lifeguard County jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lifeguard County jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lifeguard County job openings:

Infographic showing various Lifeguard County job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

$18 - $19.80/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Lifeguard

Responsible for protecting the safety of members and participants in and around aquatic facilities. Prevents potential accidents by ensuring adherence to policies and program standards of the YMCA of San Diego County. Provide excellent customer service to members and participants.

Not certified? No problem! GET CERTIFIED AT THE Y!

We offer paid certification training to candidates who have been hired!

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

Hiring Locations:

North County Mottino Family YMCA (Oceanside) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

North County Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA (Encinitas) - Must be available for 15-20 hours per week - Need Lifeguards who can open at 4:45am on weekdays and 6:45am on weekends  (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

North County – Rancho Family YMCA (Rancho Peñasquitos ) - Must be available Tue & Thu between the hours of 8:30am-5pm  (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

Central – Toby Wells Family YMCA (Kearny Mesa) - Must be available for afternoons and weekends  (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

Central – Jackie Robinson Family YMCA (Southeast San Diego) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day  (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

Coastal McKinney Family YMCA (La Jolla) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day - Preferred to be available weekdays from 5am-9am  (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

East County – Davis Family YMCA (La Mesa) - Must be available Mon-Fri from either 6am-12pm or 3pm-6pm and Saturdays from 7:30am-1pm  (Not hiring for seasonal positions) 

If you do not see the location you are looking for in the list above, that is because the location is not currently hiring for this position.


  • Practice preventative lifeguard techniques at all times to include but not limited to the following:
  • Positioned to have full view of the area of responsibility above and below water surface
  • Area of responsibility not greater than 180 degrees
  • Scan area of responsibility every 5 to 10 seconds
  • Must have contact with victim within 10 seconds
  • Remain within 2 feet of the pool at all times
  • Perform appropriate rescues
  • Report any hazards or problems to Director immediately
  • Educates participants regarding rules and regulations of pool area
  • Participate in scheduled and random lifeguard drills
  • Administer First Aid and/or CPR as necessary
  • Perform chemical tests as scheduled and add chemicals to the pool as needed when not lifeguarding
  • Ability to work effectively with others in alignment with the YMCA 4 Core Values
  • Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swift in an emergency situation
  • Ability to adequately observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures
  • Other duties as assigned needs to be included to all roles

  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Current YMCA or Red Cross Lifeguard Certification (must crossover to YMCA within 6 months)
  • Current CPR PRO/AED and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute
  • Current First Aid certification (First Aid for Public Safety Personnel within 11 months) and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute
  • Current O2 certification and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute
  • Must pass written and practical skills exam prior to duty

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.


USD $18.00 - USD $19.80 /Hr.