lifeguard

aquatics manager

pool manager

technical writer

software engineer

High-Sierra-Pools

I’m gonna be honest, I wanted to be a lifeguard because I’m LAZY and I knew that I would basically get paid to sit and watch people swim all day lol. They pay me $15 an hour to almost do nothing except check the pool chemicals and make sure people don’t die. That’s literally it. Sure, there’s some cleaning responsibilities here and there, but nothing overwhelming. I don’t have to clean bathrooms so that’s always a plus. Worked for almost two months  and didn’t have to save one life. When kids come to the pool, 9 times outta 10 the parents are keeping a close eye on them, which means that they’re technically doing your job for you. I did have one bad experience working at this apartment complex called Avana Northlake. NO ONE came to the pool that day and I was peacefully minding my business. Not a single staff member came outside to talk to me the entire shift. I’ve worked there multiple times before and someone would at least come outside and say something to me. The next day my supervisor tells me that a lady in the office snitched on me for not clocking in with the office phone. Every other place I’ve worked at did not care if I used my own phone to clock in. Then she told him that she saw me spit outside and saw me leaving 10 minutes early at the end of my shift. If no one came all day, what does it matter if I leave a little bit early? Was it really necessary to snitch like a littke kid over spitting?! Oh cry me a river. Who’s gonna come to the pool during the last 10 minutes?! It upset me because she could’ve been upfront and told me her issue face to face like an adult but no, she decided to be a petty b!tch and tell my supervisor behind my back. My supervisor said that I got a warning and I had to sign my signature on the report. Lol looking back, I’m still bothered by that, but the other apartments I’ve been scheduled at have been way nicer. Never had an issue again at any other place. THANK GOD! All in all, lifeguarding has been awesome. It’s the easiest job I’ve ever had. My advice is when you come to do training, say you wanna be a SHALLOW LIFEGUARD to your instructor!!! The swim test for shallow lifeguards is less challenging and physically demanding. On top of that, you’ll get paid exactly the same! I barely passed the swim test but I knew I would’ve failed if I took the test to be a deep water lifeguard. It’s really not that hard and my instructor was lenient. The online course is easy. The in-person exam is easy too. It’s all multiple choice and most of it is either common sense or stuff you learned in the online course. Sometimes a High Sierra staff member will sneak up on you while you’re working and ask you questions about CPR and different types of emergencies. Make sure that you study a little and that you’re prepared cuz you don’t wanna be looking stupid like me hahaha. It’s really not a good look. Not hard at all if you study the info. It only happened twice to me but you never know when it’ll happen. If you’re lazy like me and looking to get some super easy money, become a lifeguard ASAP! After you get through the 2 days of training, you’re set!

I came into this position extremely insecure about my physical capabilities due to extremely sensitive circumstances I’ve been unfortunately a part of in the past 5 years since I last was a lifeguard working for a different pool company in a different pool setting, i.e. a Waterpark in Manassas, VA. 

I never thought I would be in a position where I would showcase any part of my body, let alone focus on rebuilding my strength back up just for a potential victim but am really grateful I decided to proceed with training anyways regardless of my doubts. High Sierra Pool has an amazing team of managerial staff who are very explicit with their way in communicating and ensure you’re knowledgeable, capable, and ready to preform the standards of what they are required to uphold as a company. 

I respect the time and energy my current managers put into communicating with me on a case by case basis to ensure, I’m happy, healthy, working, and that their pools are up to par starting with time management all the way through diligence in my daily duties as a certified lifeguard. 

I’m also extremely pleased with my rate of pay. I’ve never made this much money per hour working for any other company, and in comparison to every single company I’ve worked for in the past, this is the best of the best. 

I would highly recommend this company as #1 in the northern Virginia area especially for young adults and teens who are interested in obtaining part-time or full-time work. It’s a great field to get your career started or even as feasible to just keep as a summer seasonal job. Either way, my time while being an employee here, I’ve only been treated with the upmost respect by their clients and employees. 

I have nothing bad to say at all. 

My typical day as a lifeguard was driving to LA Fitness at 5am (kind of early but ok), doing a few basic chores and testing the water and then just lifeguarding an average of 3 people in a pool they can all stand in. Very low stress. You can even read or study when the pool is empty (which is not uncommon). 

Management pops in once in a few days to check on things or right away if summoned to help with a problem. They are totally respectful and polite which is refreshingly different from other places I've worked. As long as you have your uniform, the water is tested and no one is in danger they are more than happy with you. 

The hardest part of the job is dealing with some electrical and maintenance problems that LA Fitness' seem to get fairly often. The pool or spa heater might be on the fritz or the chemical pumps start acting up and you have to adjust manually. Your average day has no problems though. Except maybe that super athletic guy who keeps diving in shallow water and flip kicking half the water out of the pool onto your books. Your job is to politely ask him to not dive and ignore his rude splashy antics. I don't miss him. This job is also not good if you get bored easily but if you are like that then lifeguarding in general is a bad fit for you.

Working as a lifeguard is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that combines responsibility with personal growth. The job demands vigilance, quick thinking, and strong communication skills, offering an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by ensuring the safety of others. Every day presents new challenges, from enforcing pool rules to managing emergencies, which keeps the work dynamic and engaging.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of lifeguarding is the camaraderie with fellow team members. You form strong bonds while working together to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. The role also promotes physical fitness, as staying in peak condition is essential.

Beyond the technical skills, being a lifeguard builds confidence, resilience, and leadership abilities that are invaluable in both personal and professional life. It’s a job that not only saves lives but also fosters personal development, making it an immensely gratifying experience.


Work-life balance
Work-life balance at HIGH SIERRA POOLS is amazing. I got the hours I wanted on the days I wanted it’s of the time for the years I worked there.

Pay & benefits
My pay and benefits at HIGH SIERRA POOLS are amazing. Great advances-definitely a highlight of working for them.

Job security and advancement
In terms of job security at HIGH SIERRA POOLS, I think they were great. Multiple guards who are professionals at their job as well as professionally trained who are beyond prepared for the unexpected.

Management
In general, managers at HIGH SIERRA POOLS are amazing. I can not say enough good things about them.

Culture
Collaboration with my colleagues at HIGH SIERRA POOLS is great. Very social and charismatic people most the time.

Overall
My experience working at HIGH SIERRA POOLS was my favorite work experience I’ve ever had. They are a company I highly recommend working for. Everything about the company makes for a very enjoyable job.

High Sierra Pools is a great place to work when you are first starting out in the job world. You gain valuable skills and knowledge on pool maintenance and customer service. The Monroeville location specifically had its challenges, the pool heater often had maintenance issues/failures. Resulting in cooler water temps (82°-83°) and many patron complaints. The population is generally older people and many who came daily to the 9-10am swim classes had very rude and demeaning attitudes towards the employees/lifeguards. It became very draining. Sometimes there were two lifeguards on duty but often it was only myself which meant no break and handling difficult people all on my own. Overall it’s a very good place to work but the pay could be better considering the daily harassment endured.

Great job, I had the pleasure of being a model for high Sierra pools. The employees were nice and friendly as well as all my supervisors. A very organized company with wonderful benefits. I think it’s a good job for many different people and can help you stay in shape because that life guard test is no joke and worth training for before hand. I don’t say this to discourage anyone but it would be wise to start jogging about a month before taking the test. A life guard position is a very serious job that you should take seriously. Parents and anyone visiting the pool are putting they’re trust in your life guard skills while swimming at your pool so keep your eyes open and come to work well rested

When I first started working here at 16, I was immediately greeted with a nearly 50 hour work week while school was still in session. Despite several continuous efforts to contact management, my hours remain high throughout summer weeks, leaving me little time to enjoy my summer and hang out with my friends. The job presented new challenges and learning experiences, and I have often received high praise from my supervisor for going above and beyond, yet the hard work I provide yields no extra reward, and I also never received a $150 Memorial Day bonus I was promised for working during the Memorial Day weekend.

I work primarily in a health club, it can be very monotonous and boring, but you get a chance to meet diverse, and interesting people. I formed some great friendships. The pay was not great, but I worked independently for the most part. It was a fairly easy gig.
If your replacement didn't show, it could be very stressful. Sometimes I would work from 5:00 in the morning, to 10:00 p.m. in the evening, and have to show up the next day at 5:00 a.m.

I worked for High Sierra Pools for five years, and I learned a lot from the company about legal compliance, safety, and business in general. Staffing is sometimes a problem in this industry, but High Sierra Pools provides better service for their clients than their competitors do. I wish them well, and I recommend their services to anyone who is looking for better quality.

The management team tends to value good workers. If you are a good worker, then you will probably be recognized as such fairly quickly, and possibly offered more responsibility as a result.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Lifeguard 5 salaries reported	$17.10 per hour
Aquatics manager 9 salaries reported	$800 per week
Pool manager 3 salaries reported	$18.50 per hour
Technical writer 2 salaries reported	$72,500 per year
Software engineer 1 salary reported	$100,000 per year

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