Safety Instructor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $25.23 - $29.28 Hourly
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Part Time (include Trainee)
Job Number: 25-AP354-12
Department: Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development
Opening Date: 12/15/2025
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: SI1
The Position
***Continuous Recruitment***Recruitment may close at any time. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
2026 OAKLAND PARKS, RECREATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland's Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department?
With an emphasis on Oakland's youth, the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) Department, and its partners will provide best-in-class, relevant, and equitable programs and services, while meeting the specific needs of people and communities both at the neighborhood level and regionally throughout the City of Oakland. We achieve this mission through intentional engagement and by removing the barriers that prohibit equitable opportunities for all. OPRYD believes that communities thrive when they play with a purpose. Our purpose is to Expose, Enlighten, Empower, and Encourage Educational Excellence through recreational experiences.
The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill multiple part-time Water Safety Instructor positions in the Oakland Parks and Recreation Aquatic Centers for both seasonal and year-round employment. Working hours will vary from week to week.
Water Safety Instructors perform a variety of duties at the City's pools including swimming instruction, coordination of the Water Safety Instruction (WSI) program, and other aquatic activities.
For a list of all OPRYD Pools click here
We are looking for someone who is:

• Customer service oriented and known for providing exceptional customer service, going above and beyond to meet customer needs, and leaving a lasting impression on their experience.
• A team player who is a strong collaborator and skilled at building meaningful connections across departments and divisions, and throughout the community with a commitment to achieving OPRYD's mission.
• Interested in community engagement and enthusiastic about playing an active role in the Oakland community.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Ensuring pool patrons' safety and well-being by enforcing rules, preventing accidents, and administering first aid
• Providing swimming lessons to all ages and abilities, following American Red Cross guidelines
• Supervising and directing Water Safety Aides in the "Learn-to-swim" program
• Assisting the Pool Manager in coordinating and implementing water safety instruction
• Completing all necessary records, including accident reports, and time slips
• Aiding in patron registration for swim classes and maintaining positive community relations

Read the complete job description by clicking
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be part of a fun team
• You will engage with community members and build positive relationships
• Your work will result in a safer environment for all

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need handle customer complaints
• You may have to travel to multiple/various sites/recreation centers

Competencies Required:

• Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying, preventing and addressing health risks and safety hazards

Minimum Requirements for Application
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable:
Experience:
One year of aquatics experience. Previous experience as a swim coach or competitive swimmer is highly desirable.
Certifications:
Current Red Cross certifications in Water Safety Instruction, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for Lifeguards with AED or CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED
Please scan and attach these required certifications to your application. Failure to submit these required certifications will result in disqualification from the selection process.
Other Requirements:
Candidates must be at least seventeen (17) years or older to apply.
Candidates who receive offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance and have a physical examination including a TB screening.
Work Permits:
Minors will be subject to state guidelines and restrictions governing their employment while employed with the City of Oakland. This shall include applicable work permits, records, hours worked, and time reporting guidelines. Minors seeking information regarding work permits should contact their local school district. When applicable, work permits must be obtained prior to beginning employment.
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to OPRYD for further consideration.
Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
*Note: Subsequent Oral Interviews and Water Tests will be scheduled periodically. Confirmed 2026 OPRYD Aquatics Oral Exam and Water Testing Dates are below:
DateTimeLocationMonday, January 5, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, February 4, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, March 4, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolSunday, March 22, 2026(Spring Hiring)11:00 AM - 2:30 PMDeFremery PoolFriday, April 3, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolSunday, April 12, 2026(Summer Hiring)11:00 AM - 2:30 PMDeFremery PoolWednesday, April 22, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, May 6, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, May 27, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolFriday, June 12, 202611:45 AM - 1:00 PMDeFremery PoolFriday, July 11, 202511:45 AM - 1:00 PMDeFremery PoolWednesday, August 16, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, September 10, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolFriday, September 19, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, October 7, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolMonday, October 13, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, November 4, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal PoolWednesday, December 9, 20262:30 PM - 4:45 PMTemescal Pool
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Jasmine Bellow at jbellow@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City or Port of Oakland employee?

• Yes
• No

03
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?

• Yes
• No

05
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.If not applicable, type "N/A"
06
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter any other name(s) used below.If not applicable, type "N/A"
07
Are you 17 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

08
Please select the OPRYD pool location(s) at which you are interested in working.Please see link in posting for location details.

• deFremery Pool
• Lions Pool at Dimond Park
• East Oakland Sports Center Pool
• Fremont Pool
• Temescal Pool
• No preference (open to all locations)

09
Do you have at least one year of full-time work experience in aquatics? (e.g. swim team, lifeguarding, junior lifeguards, personal swimming, etc.)

• Yes
• No

10
Please list all aquatics experience you have (e.g. Lifeguard at Lions Pool for 1 year averaging 3 shifts per week, 30-hour Lifeguard class, 5 weeks of swim lessons at Temescal Pool, junior lifeguard program two 8-week summer sessions East Bay Regional Parks, swim team deFremery Pool for 2 years).
11
Please read the brief descriptions below and check the position you believe you are qualified to lead based on your prior experience.

• Responsible for daily workouts and coaching of the swim team; assisting with athlete recruitment; preparing workout schedules; instructing and evaluating swimmer technique; attending and organizing all swim meets; serving as a positive role model; and building strong, positive relationships with parents, swimmers, and the community. Candidates should have extensive competitive swimming experience and/or U.S. Swimming training, with ASCA Level One or higher certification preferred. Proof of current certification is required.
• Responsibilities include basic lifeguarding duties as well as independent swim instruction for all ages and ability levels. Additional duties include reviewing, evaluating, and directing Water Safety Aides; assisting the Pool Manager in coordinating and implementing the Water Safety Instruction Program; supporting promotion of aquatics programs in the community; and registering participants for classes. Proof of current certification is required.

12
Please describe your background (education, training, volunteer work, and experience) and how