Job Purpose

To ensure the safety of all swimmers and users of the swimming pool and surrounding areas by providing effective supervision, rescue skills, and enforcing safety rules. The lifeguard is also responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards and providing excellent customer service to all users of the facility.

Main Responsibilities

• Maintain vigilant supervision of the swimming pool and ensure the safety of all pool users.

• Carry out rescues and administer first aid or CPR as required in line with training.

• Prevent and respond to emergencies, incidents, and injuries quickly and effectively.

• Enforce pool rules and regulations, including safe behavior, to prevent accidents.

• Set up and take down equipment for pool activities and classes.

• Monitor pool water quality (e.g. temperature, clarity, pH levels) and report any concerns to the line manager.

• Complete daily safety checks and record-keeping duties accurately.

• Attend regular training sessions, including lifeguard competency and emergency drills.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to patrons and assist with inquiries or concerns.

• Support other team members and supervisors in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

• Assist with evacuation procedures in case of emergencies.

• Report any damage, faults, or hazards to the appropriate personnel immediately.

• Promote good hygiene and cleanliness around poolside and changing facilities.

• Participate in promotional activities and health and wellbeing events as required.

• Support the delivery of swimming lessons or classes, if qualified or requested.

• Assist in other leisure centre duties as needed, such as reception support or cleaning.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Training

• Essential:

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) – valid and in-date.

  • First Aid at Work Certificate or Emergency First Aid (included in NPLQ).

• Desirable:

  • Pool Plant Operator Certificate.

  • Swimming teaching qualification (STA or ASA Level 1/2).

  • Customer Service Training or qualification.

Experience

• Essential:

  • Experience working as a lifeguard (paid or voluntary) or in a safety-critical role.

• Desirable:

  • Experience working in a leisure centre or public-facing environment.

  • Experience delivering or supporting swimming lessons or aquatic activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of water safety, lifesaving techniques, and emergency response.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to stay calm and act quickly and decisively in emergencies.

• Competency in swimming and physical fitness (must pass regular fitness tests and assessments).

• Ability to follow procedures and complete reports accurately.

• Good observation and risk assessment skills.

• Competent with basic IT systems for logging reports, if required.

General Attributes and Personal Qualities

• Professional, approachable, and responsible attitude.

• High standard of personal appearance and hygiene.

• Reliable and punctual, with excellent timekeeping.

• Able to work as part of a team and independently.

• Flexible and willing to work shifts, weekends, bank holidays, and school holidays.

• A genuine interest in health, safety, and public wellbeing.

Weaknesses
Despite my strong overall profile, there are a few internal areas that may limit my employability if not addressed. Notably, my poor confidence in setting and achieving goals suggests a need to develop a more structured approach to personal and professional development. This gap may affect my ability to progress or take initiative in self-directed roles. Additionally, I’m not incredibly confident working alone and unsupervised which indicates that while you function well in teams, greater autonomy could be an area for growth. An area to improve on is numerical accuracy in customer service settings, which could be a disadvantage in roles requiring frequent calculations or data handling in fast-paced environments.

Opportunities
With the rise of remote and tech-enabled workspaces, my high IT proficiency and communication skills give me the edge in hybrid roles or roles requiring digital collaboration. My interpersonal and motivational strengths align well with leadership training or mentoring pathways, presenting opportunities to grow into management or team lead roles. Moreover, my adaptability and decision-making skills make me suitable for roles that involve cross-functional collaboration or problem-solving. Enrolling in targeted professional development, such as goal-setting workshops or numeracy training, could further enhance my profile and help overcome current weaknesses, making me even more competitive in the job market.

Threats
Externally, some challenges may arise if current weaknesses remain unaddressed. In highly competitive job markets, the inability to clearly define and pursue goals could hinder my ability to stand out or advance. Similarly, as automation continues to reduce demand for basic data entry or repetitive IT tasks, lacking advanced numeracy or analytical skills may become a limitation. My average ability to work unsupervised could also be a threat in remote roles, where self-motivation and independent time management are critical.

The lifeguard is responsible for supervising all pool users during operational hours. This includes maintaining a constant state of vigilance to identify and prevent potential hazards or unsafe behaviours. They must enforce pool safety rules in a calm and professional manner and respond immediately and effectively to all emergencies, including performing water rescues, administering first aid or CPR, and activating emergency protocols as appropriate.

The role involves routine poolside tasks such as setting up and clearing away swimming equipment, conducting water quality tests, completing hourly safety checks, and recording these accurately. The lifeguard must also ensure compliance with health and safety regulations at all times and be an active participant in scheduled in-house training, rescue simulations and qualification refreshers to maintain operational readiness.

In addition to safety duties, the lifeguard may be expected to help maintain cleanliness across the wet-side areas, including pool surrounds, showers and changing rooms. They may assist with member enquiries, report maintenance issues promptly, and contribute to creating a friendly, professional and supportive atmosphere for members of all ages.

If qualified, the lifeguard may also assist in delivering or supporting swim lessons, aqua classes or child swim sessions. There may be occasional support required in other operational areas of the facility, including reception, cleaning or event set-up, to meet the needs of the centre.

Applicants must hold a current National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). In addition, a valid First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid certificate is required (often included in the NPLQ). The provider encourages and supports continued professional development; therefore, attendance at regular training and competency checks is expected.

Additional qualifications such as a Pool Plant Operator Certificate, Swimming Teaching Qualification (STA or Swim England Level 1/2), or CPR/Defibrillator training are desirable, though not essential.

Previous experience working as a lifeguard in a leisure centre, fitness club or school is desirable. Candidates should have a sound understanding of pool safety regulations, risk assessment procedures and emergency response protocols. Experience dealing with the public in a customer-facing or safety-critical role is an advantage, as is familiarity with safeguarding procedures.

The successful candidate must demonstrate excellent observational skills, the ability to remain alert and focused for extended periods and confidence in the water. They should be able to remain calm under pressure, make quick decisions during emergencies and follow detailed protocols accurately.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the lifeguard will engage with a wide range of users, including families, children and vulnerable individuals. The ability to work as part of a team, take initiative when needed and show professionalism in all interactions is key. Basic IT literacy is helpful for completing digital safety logs and reporting.

The provider values staff who are responsible, punctual and committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment. The ideal candidate will have a positive, proactive attitude, take pride in their work and show a genuine interest in health, safety and wellbeing. Flexibility is important, as the role may require working early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays on a rota basis.

The provider is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All applicants must be willing to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the recruitment process. The provider is also an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities.