Pool Lifeguard (3208 TEX As-Needed) - San Francisco Recreation and Parks

Application Opening: September 09, 2026

Application Deadline: Apply Immediately . Application filing will be open at least through 5:00pm on September 23, 2026, and will close any time thereafter.

Appointment Type: This recruitment is for a Temporary Exempt (TEX), as-needed appointment. This position is exempt from the Civil Service examination process pursuant to the San Francisco Charter Section 10.104 and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Please note that this position does include any City health or retirement benefits due to its temporary nature.

Supplemental Questionnaire: Please complete the following supplemental questionnaire to provide your availability: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/dxHR5t6wvi

About Us

Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America. In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city Learn More . Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.

More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city.

The Aquatics Division operates nine (9) pools across San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods and provides staffing for Camp Mather during its operational season from late May through late August.

Swimming Pools | San Francisco Recreation and Parks, CA (sfrecpark.org)

Job Description

Under general direction, the Pool Lifeguard protects the health, safety and welfare of patrons at a municipally operated swimming pool facility. Responsibilities include maintaining discipline in and around the swimming pool; conducting rescue operations; making continuous contact with swimmers and the general public; cleaning and disinfecting the pool, decks, showers, locker rooms and aquatic equipment; and performing related duties as required.

Essential Duties

Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=3208

License and Certification

Current possession and maintenance of the following certifications or the equivalent of:

Appointees who do not possess the following certifications or the equivalent of at the time of hire must obtain them within twelve (12) months of their appointment:

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying certification at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Responsibilities

Patrol and monitor pool activities, facility patrons and swimmers to prevent accidents, identify people in distress or those in danger.; Conduct rescue operations, perform lifesaving techniques, assist swimmers in distress and rescue swimmers in danger, pull drowning victims out of the water, call for emergency assistance, perform first aid resuscitative measures when necessary.; Communicate with facility patrons, caution swimmers regarding unsafe practices and safety hazards, enforce pool rules and regulations, maintain order in and around the pool.; Maintain aquatic facility by inspecting and observing the pool area, lobby, change rooms and deck for safety and cleanliness, preform general pool facility maintenance duties including cleaning and disinfecting pool, lobby, change rooms and deck, may take and record water quality samples in the absence of a supervisor.; Prepare the facility for various aquatic events, handle and store equipment and materials when not in use.; Collect revenue and fees for facility use and participation in facility activities and events, greet and check in facility guests.; Provide customer service, share general information regarding facility operations, programs and schedules.; Prepare incident and accident reports as necessary.; Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

Lifeguarding issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency,; CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency,; Oxygen Administration for the Professional Rescuer issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency; Title 22 - First Aid for Public Safety Personnel issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency; All employees must maintain current and valid certifications throughout their employment.; Certifications for Oxygen Administration and Title 22 must be obtained within twelve (12) months of appointment and maintained thereafter.; Failure to maintain valid certifications and provide proof of compliance may result in termination of employment.; High school students who qualify must obtain a valid work permit, provided they are at least 16 years of age by the date of hire.

Nice to have

Current Water Safety Instructor (WSI); Waterfront Certificate issued by Red Cross or equivalent agency