Water Safety Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $19.82 - $23.88 Hourly
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Limited, No Standard Hours
Job Number: GU-T11841-202603
Business Area: 1714 - Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 03/27/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
JOB INFORMATION
APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT(S):

• Pool Guard I
• Pool Guard II
• Swimming Pool Manager I

WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR CANDIDATES MUST APPLY BEFORE TAKING THE PERFORMANCE TEST. ONCE APPLICATIONS ARE APPROVED, CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED REGARDING THE SPECIFIC DATE, TIME AND LOCATION.
Water Safety Instructor positions instruct and lead a variety of swimming classes; plan, organize, and teach swimming lessons; lead specialized aquatic activities such as water exercise classes, swim team, and water polo; ensure classes and activities adhere to City of San Diego and American Red Cross safety standards; complete lesson plans and course records; maintain course rosters and attendance reports; process activity registrations; respond to community member questions and concerns; clean up and organize teaching materials; and perform other duties as assigned.
NOTES:

• Prior to employment, all applicants must pass a pass/fail performance test. Should you fail any part of the performance test, only one retest will be permitted on the same test date.
• Water Safety Instructor employees are primarily employed on a part-time basis and employees may be assigned to work on holidays, weekends and evenings.
• Water Safety Instructor employees MUST be available to work June through August as scheduled with NO vacation leave.
• Water Safety Instructor employees must furnish and wear standard apparel prescribed by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Water Safety Instructor employees must take and pass a performance test periodically to retain employment.
• In accordance with California Public Resources Code section 5163, all persons holding Water Safety Instructor positions must get tested for tuberculosis (TB) when hired and every four years thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.
AGE: 16 years of age or older.
NOTES:

• Applicants less than age 18 must obtain a work permit prior to starting work.
• Work permits may be obtained through the school system.
• Applicants who are age 17 and are high school graduates, or have passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination, are not required to have a work permit; however, they must submit a copy of their high school diploma, CHSPE or GED results with their application.

CERTIFICATES: A valid American Red Cross Basic Swim Instructor Certification or the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification must be attained within 90 days from date of hire.
NOTE:

• For information on certificate requirements, please check the following website for a listing of upcoming training classes: You may also contact Parks and Recreation Department staff at (619) 692-4944.

SCREENING PROCESS
The screening process will consist of the following components:

1. APPLICATION REVIEW: Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met.
   
2. PERFORMANCE TEST: The performance test is a pass/fail examination which consists of the following:

• Perform following strokes consistent with the American Red Cross Stroke Performance Charts, Level 3:
  • Front Crawl: 25 yards
  • Breaststroke: 25 yards
  • Elementary Backstroke: 25 yards
  • Sidestroke: 25 yards
• Complete the Water Competency Sequence:
  • Step into water and total submerge
  • Float or tread water for 1 minute
  • Rotate one full circle and orient to exit
  • Swim 25 yards without stopping
  • Exit the Water without using steps or ladder

Performance Test Date: Approved applicants will be notified regarding the specific date, time and location. You must have a Performance Test Appointment Notice in order to be admitted to the test.
Reexamination Eligibility: If you fail the performance test, you may reapply ONE MONTH (30 days) after your most recent test date.
NOTES:

• Candidates must provide valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver license, military ID, Department of Motor Vehicles ID or passport) on the day of the performance test. FOR MINORS ONLY, a current school-issued ID with a photograph will be accepted.
• Candidates who are between 16 and 18 years old at the time of the performance test must submit a signed by their parent or guardian in order to take the performance test. Candidates must bring this signed waiver to the performance test. Falsification of the Release of Liability Waiver is cause for disqualification and/or termination of employment. Waivers will also be available on the date of the performance test.
• Should you fail any part of the performance test, only one retest will be permitted on the same test date.

Candidates who pass the performance test will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 3 - March 27, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
or review the
01
I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Résumés are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03
If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04
The minimum age for this job is 16. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05
Specify which ONE of the following options you are using to meet the age requirement.

• 18 years of age or older.
• Less than 18 years of age and must obtain a work permit prior to starting work.
• 17 years of age and a high school graduate or achieved a passing score on the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination. NOTE: Submit proof with your application.
• None of the above.

06
Which of the following do you possess?

• American Red Cross Basic Swim Instructor Certification.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification.
• None of the above.

Required Question