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Volunteer Lifeguard Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

West End YMCA

Lifeguard

Upland, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $18.25/hr

Lifeguard Job Code: 310604 FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; Job Classification: C Reports to: Aquatics ... volunteers, and fellow staff. * Communicates concerns, incidents, maintenance issues, and safety ...

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Volunteer Lifeguard information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$9

$25

$71

How much do volunteer lifeguard jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer lifeguard in Riverside, CA is $25.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a volunteer lifeguard?

Volunteer lifeguards are trained individuals who offer their time and skills to monitor swimming areas, such as beaches or pools, to ensure the safety of swimmers. They perform many of the same duties as paid lifeguards, including preventing accidents, performing rescues, and administering first aid when necessary. Volunteer lifeguards often work with local organizations or community programs and may receive training and certification to meet safety standards. Their primary goal is to help protect the public and promote water safety.

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

To thrive as a Volunteer Lifeguard, you need strong swimming ability, knowledge of water safety, and current lifeguard and CPR/first aid certifications. Familiarity with rescue equipment, emergency communication systems, and first aid supplies is typically required. Attention to detail, quick decision-making, and strong interpersonal skills help lifeguards remain vigilant and effectively communicate with swimmers and team members. These skills are essential to prevent accidents, respond rapidly to emergencies, and ensure the safety of everyone in aquatic environments.

How does a volunteer lifeguard typically balance their responsibilities with other commitments, and what support is available from the team?

Volunteer lifeguards often juggle their lifeguarding shifts with work, study, or family commitments. Most organizations offer flexible scheduling and encourage open communication about availability to ensure coverage without overburdening volunteers. Support comes from a team-oriented environment, where duties are shared and regular training sessions help maintain skills and foster camaraderie. Supervisors and experienced lifeguards are usually available to provide guidance, making it easier for volunteers to manage their responsibilities effectively.

What is the difference between Volunteer Lifeguard vs Certified Lifeguard?

AspectVolunteer LifeguardCertified Lifeguard
CertificationsBasic CPR and first aid, often voluntaryAdvanced lifeguard certification, including CPR, AED, and water rescue
Work EnvironmentPublic pools, beaches, community eventsPublic pools, beaches, water parks, aquatic centers
EmployerNon-profit organizations, volunteer programsGovernment agencies, private facilities
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding volunteer roles, basic qualificationsProfessional employment, certification requirements

Volunteer Lifeguards typically perform water safety duties with basic certifications and volunteer status, often in community or non-profit settings. Certified Lifeguards hold advanced certifications, are paid professionals, and work in more formal aquatic environments. The main difference lies in certification level, employment status, and scope of responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lifeguard jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Lifeguard jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Volunteer Lifeguard jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Volunteer Lifeguard jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Volunteer Lifeguard jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Volunteer Lifeguard jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Volunteer Lifeguard jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Volunteer Lifeguard job openings:

Volunteer Lifeguard jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volunteer Lifeguard job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,685 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Lifeguard

West End YMCA

Upland, CA • On-site

$16.90 - $18.25/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

 

WEST END YMCA JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Lifeguard Job Code: 310604



FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; Job Classification: C


Reports to: Aquatics Director Revision Date: 6.19.2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

The YMCA is a leading non-profit that continues to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As one of the nation’s largest providers of swim lessons, we strive to promote confidence and safety in and around the water. A lifeguard and swim instructor at the Scheu Family YMCA creates a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes all individuals while promoting and sustaining safe conditions for the pool and surrounding areas in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures. Lifeguards and swim instructors at the Scheu Family YMCA are also expected to present themselves in an exemplary manner while maintaining an upbeat, optimistic, and passionate attitude about the YMCA during their shifts.


OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Maintains active surveillance of the pool area. 
  • Knows and reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies, procedures, and the "Safe-in-Six" model; completes related reports as required. 
  • Remains calm and objective when under pressure or when challenged by others. 
  • Maintains accurate records as required by the YMCA. 
  • Performs opening, closing, and cleaning responsibilities. 
  • Performs chemical testing as required and takes appropriate action. 
  • Provides a high-quality customer service experience to all members, guests, and participants. 
  • Attends all mandatory monthly in-service trainings and additional required trainings. 
  • May assist in maintaining a safe aquatic environment, including adding pool chemicals as needed and directed. 
  • Lifeguard rescue skills must meet YMCA of the USA standards, and all evaluations must successfully meet required expectations. 
  • Completes all other duties as assigned. 
  • Maintains a minimum attendance rate of 80% for all scheduled shifts and demonstrates reliability and dependability in reporting to work on time. 
  • Demonstrates constant attentiveness and remains free from distractions while on duty, including refraining from cell phone use, socializing, reading, or engaging in any activity that detracts from active surveillance responsibilities. 
  • Performs roving lifeguard duties during high-volume program times, including swim lessons, aquatic fitness classes, swim team practices, and pool rentals, to ensure adequate supervision and patron safety throughout the facility. 
  • Maintains professional conduct and appearance at all times and serves as a positive representative of the YMCA's mission and values. 
  • Exhibits sound judgment, maturity, and professionalism when interacting with members, guests, participants, volunteers, and fellow staff. 
  • Communicates concerns, incidents, maintenance issues, and safety hazards promptly to supervisors and completes required documentation accurately and timely. 
  • Demonstrates strong situational awareness and proactively identifies and addresses unsafe conditions before they become emergencies. 
  • Assists with crowd control, lane management, and enforcing pool rules during busy operational periods and special events. 
  • Maintains all required certifications and ensures certifications remain current without lapse. 
  • Accepts coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations professionally and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement. 
  • Supports fellow staff members and contributes to a culture of teamwork, accountability, and safety. 
  • Maintains confidentiality and professionalism when discussing members, participants, and internal YMCA operations. 
  • Adheres to all YMCA policies, procedures, dress code requirements, and standards of conduct. 
  • Demonstrates flexibility and availability to support varying operational needs, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, special events, and emergency coverage when needed. 
  • Ensures all rescue equipment, first aid supplies, and aquatic areas are maintained in a clean, organized, and emergency-ready condition. 
  • Serves as an ambassador of safety by consistently modeling proper rescue techniques, professional behavior, and member engagement practices. 
  • Actively participates in drills, audits, and safety evaluations and consistently meets or exceeds YMCA and Association performance expectations. 
  • Understands that patron safety and active surveillance are the highest priorities and that all other tasks are secondary to maintaining effective lifeguard coverage. 
  • Demonstrates exceptional professionalism, attentiveness, and rescue readiness while on stand, recognizing that failure to maintain these standards may result in corrective action up to and including termination of employment.
  • This is an in-person job and duties as such cannot be performed remotely.


LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
  • Developing Self & Others
  • Engaging Community
  • Critical Thinking and Decision Making
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Minimum age of 16
  • Obtains current certifications in the following courses: YMCA Lifeguard V6, YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor, ASHI Basic Life Support, First Aid and Emergency Oxygen within 60 days of hire.
  • Maintains vigilance in entire zone of surveillance that include distress signals in and around the aquatic environment.
  • Demonstrates ability to prevent, recognize and respond to swimmers in need of assistance and maintain a duty to act in an emergency.
  • Ability to work in a diverse role with different ages groups.
  • Ability to model exemplary behavior.




WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, either with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
  • The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 40 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to supervise program activities.
  • Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
  • Physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
SIGNATURE:

I have reviewed and understand this job description


 

Employee’s name: Employee’s signature: Date