Lifeguard Instructor Jobs in Tampa, FL (NOW HIRING)

Lifeguard II

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Lifeguard II

Salary

$21.40 - $31.44 Hourly

Location

Employment Services, FL

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

8224-26

Department

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts

Division

Rec - Aquatics 0905340000

Opening Date

04/15/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This position is responsible for assisting in operating and maintaining municipal aquatic facilities while maintaining a healthy and safe environment for public use. This role assists Lifeguard IIIs, Aquatic Facility Lead, and senior-level recreation supervisory staff with other work-related tasks.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a lifeguard and professional rescuer whose primary function is to maintain the health and safety of all users of the facilities and all employees.

• Enforces rules, regulations, and policies for all guests, groups, and organizations.

• Inspects the facility daily and reports unsafe conditions and equipment to the Aquatic Facility Lead and Swimming Pool Operator.

• Serves as a front desk representative, greeting and assisting patrons with entrance to the facility, program registration, and other general customer service functions.

• Monitors and maintains the front desk area to ensure it remains organized, welcoming, and efficient.

• Answers telephone calls and responds to email requests promptly.

• Resolves routine problems, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding City pool issues while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor.

• Ensures that patrons entering the facility sign the mandatory liability waiver prior to pool entry.

• Demonstrates basic care, upkeep, and preventative maintenance of the aquatic facilities (rescue equipment, pump room procedures, pool deck equipment, etc.) under the direction of the Aquatic Facility Lead and aquatic supervisor staff.

• Performs daily walkthroughs to complete safety checklists and ensure all swim equipment is functioning properly and in good condition.

• Maintains the cleanliness and facility safety of aquatic sites.

• Assists Lifeguard III in administrative duties such as daily updates of operational logs, reports, and statistical record-keeping.

• Provides leadership and direction to seasonal employees, ensuring compliance with work assignments, policies, and performance expectations.

• Must pass and maintain a Vigilance Awareness Test (VATS) demonstrating the ability to observe and monitor aquatic environments effectively.

• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.

• May be required to work overtime, or alternate hours, as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.

• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as a CPR instructor, Lifeguard Instructor, swim lesson instructor, and/or assists the instructor trainer as needed.

• Required to attend monthly in-service training.

• Performs professional rescuer duties, including CPR, First Aid, and Advanced rescues.

• Assists in the creation and delivery of programs offered to guests.

• Assists in working on special events such as swim meets and dive movies.

• Assists in public relations.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• A high school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.

• Minimum of one season or three months of lifeguard experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.

• Must pass and maintain a Vigilance Awareness Test (VATS) demonstrating the ability to observe and monitor aquatic environments effectively.

• Must possess a current and valid American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR/AED and First Aid certification or equivalent within 45 days of employment.

• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor required within six months of employment.

• American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR/AED certification is required within six months of employment if hired with an equivalent certification.

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor is preferred but not required.

• Must pass physical examination, drug and alcohol related exams, and pass all legal background checks as required by the City of Lakeland.

• Must possess transportation for a multi-work site schedule.

• May be required to complete a weekly physical readiness test.

• Must be available for all shifts (early morning, late evening, weekend, holiday).

• Must be available to work a variable schedule that may change based on operational demands.

• May be required to pass an elevated background check provided by the City of Lakeland Police Department upon hire.

• May be required to administer oxygen.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Various rescue methods, professional rescue standards, and advanced first aid in the water and surrounding areas.

• Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Cash handling procedures.

• Care, upkeep, and preventative maintenance of aquatic facilities.

ABILITIES:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, subordinates, City employees, and the public.

• Use sound, critical thinking skills to ensure proper operational effectiveness.

• Use professional maturity to lead staff, communicate with patrons and other aquatic constituents, and react to emergencies.

• Use problem-solving skills and flexible work dynamics to meet the needs of the work environment.

• Demonstrate professional workplace habits such as punctuality, effective communication, and professional lifeguard skills consistently.

• Maintain the physical fitness readiness to lifeguard and respond to emergencies.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Swimming regularly, along with practicing lifeguard rescues and life-saving skills.

• Moderate physical work, involving walking or standing sometimes and exerting up to 100 pounds of force regularly.

• Bending, reaching, twisting, and lifting in daily operations such as cleaning, event setup, and emergencies.

• Risks exposure to bright/dim light, chemicals, blood-borne pathogens, and environmental hazards.

• Must maintain physical health and conditioning necessary to perform lifeguard duties, including rapid response to emergencies and sustained vigilance.

• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment ...