swim instructor

call center representative

lifeguard

host/hostess

facilities maintenance technician

WATERWORKS AQUATICS

I lasted not very long here the first day they were all right. I got to do the computer work. I had to do three rounds of interviews which I think just everyone gets advanced if they sound all right enough because there was a lot of trainees there, but no one really cares about your case The boarding process the first day or two you are on the computer for a lot of hours. I was lucky enough to be in the office the whole time the first day and everything was fine and I left there’s no one to really turn to if you needed help you have to help someone is around. No one is actually in the office Office area. Typically who knows what they’re doing. It was just me and other trainees at the time and we don’t really know what’s going on. No one tells us what’s happening at the front so guess will come in and if they need help, we don’t know what they want and hopefully they just walk in and go to their lesson.

The people there are nice, but management is not great if you say that your schedule does not align because you gave them a schedule for a different location and not until very later they find out by not communicating to each other. You have to keep repeating that you gave a schedule for a closer area and then they make you travel Past Escondido to Irvine and then within the same week they want you to go more north towards like LA, which is about 10, 15,20 miles or so it is not mandatory but they keep pushing for it so they can accelerate your training process. They do not give one on one mileage reimbursement. They reimburse some of it and you get minimum wage during your training and then you are bumped up to I think 23$. It is not worth it. The training area in Irvine is poorly managed for people who go in a not so warm pool even though it is heated it is not good for people with anemia, especially. But the break room is very cold always wet. There’s computers everywhere because of all the trainees who always need it, but you are constantly going in and out, and your schedule is not told to you.

You just go with the flow. So you are constantly logging people out of their website modules. The break room consist of a fridge two computers open cubbies no heater one wet chair because someone sat there prior in a bathing suit.

These were terrible work conditions. The bathroom is always wet as well. It is a pool area, but it’s not that heated anywhere so you’re constantly cold.  

This place is not worth it. Do not go here.  I thought I could handle a bad place for the potentially good wage, but they lie to you. They do not communicate to each other. I was given different people who did not reply to me via email. They always want to call during times that are not convenient they called me while I was at school. Although they sound nice, they’re pushy. They wanted me to do more hours anytime I wanted to stay what I was open to. They always are pushing for you to work more than that if you are not there when you officially have the job, it hurts everyone and tries to make it sound like a family-oriented experience which is understandable but sometimes it’s unavoidable. No one knows really your case. You have to always be on top of things and after the second day, where you actually get to go in the water, they tell you all the things you have to memorize, and I was given a poorly inked printed paper there is no online module for you to print it out yourself. They were not prepared for anything they go as things happen.

My second day there they let me in late to login because no one had told me prior that I’m supposed to just login once I get there. I waited until the exact time and more because no one was at the front desk and then when someone did arrive, they told me to just login on a computer in the break room and that’s when I discovered how terrible everything was after figuring out which website I’m supposed to login on to show that I am there a trainer arrived and told me in two minutes we were going into the water. No one had told me prior just that I needed the bathing suit, so this was a terrible communication on part of management and timing. I was told simply to bring a bathing suit and towel and be ready, but this is unprofessional. I was told I didn't need to wear bathing suit right away because I would be at the computer until I was to watch trainings in person.



I have been working for Waterworks Aquatics for 5 years now and I've been quite happy here!  The work environment is fun as we are mainly working with kids.  I always get a sense of achievement when I teach a student something new.  I was also able to build connections with the families and really get to know my students as the class sizes are limited to two students at time.  Starting off I did have a lot of gaps in my schedule and it would be frustrating when I would come in and only have two or three 20 minute lessons for the day but, as I built rapport with the families and students, my schedule filled up.  Waterworks is pretty flexible with work schedule as well.  While I was in school, I did have to submit my school schedule for them to approve my schedule changes.  Now, I just need to give them a reason if I want to change my schedule.

There is a curriculum you have you follow during the lessons however, with the level and skillset systems, it makes it easy to know exactly what each student needs to work on.  Lessons are fast paced as each one only lasts 20 minutes. You do have to be constantly aware of the time as if you run late you still have to give the student the full 20 minutes and that could make you late for your next lesson as well.  This job forces you to be very punctual.  

I worked at the gym location for most of my time with the company and I admit that it was difficult at times since we had to be quite independent since no managers were on-site.  However, the managers do make themselves available via text or calling through the office if you do need help.  They also came regularly to bring supplies for our facility.  Downside to working at a gym location is that the water can get pretty cold after being in for a long shift.  The company does give it's instructors at the gym locations wetsuit tops but it doesn't help much.  The main facility is better as the water is quite warmer and managers are at the facility if you need help. You do need to watch your health as it is easy to get sick if you are in the water for hours and chlorine can irritate your skin if you don't take care of it properly.

Management is quite friendly and helpful. They check in on a regular basis and seem to care about you as a person.  Office staff and phone staff are nice as well.  Another review mentioned that calling out is a nightmare and while it is frustrating when you have an 8:20am class and the office isn't open until 7, it was acceptable to call in two hours before and leave a message first and then call back when the office does open.  You do have an obligation to your clients to be punctual, so being late is a bit rough if you have a large schedule since you have to run late with each of your lessons until you have your break.  

Overall, working with Waterworks has helped me with my personal growth and I have also been asked if I was interested in avenues for growth within the company as well. Its a great company to work for if you enjoy working with children or enjoy teaching/coaching.  

It can be a great place to work, as I enjoyed dealing with the families that came in for swim lessons and assisting them with anything they needed in regards to their account status, scheduling etc.. Love, love, loved the people that I worked with. Pay is not great whether you work in the office or in the water, but if you are young and still live your parents, or have roommates, and/or go to college this could be a great job for you. 
This is strictly on my own opinion. If you are a swim instructor that doesn't have many kids on the swim schedule, which you end up with huge gaps in your lesson schedule especially when you are new. It tough for families that had a previous instructor that recently left (and their kid(s) love this instructor) and have to try out someone new. A lot of parents don't trust or the kids don't trust new teachers. You have to have a sweet and naturally caring personality and be great with children ages (3months-17yrs), special needs(any age), and/or adults(18 and up.)
In the office, it can be very stressful, but can be a lot of fun all at once. You have to answer all incoming calls on the first ring, make sure to greet everyone coming into the facility. If multiple instructors are out sick, on vacation, etc... it can be a be stressful trying to convince parents to keep the lesson but with a substitute instructor especially dealing with very young children. Kids do get attached to certain teachers and refuse to try anyone else if they parents cancel they will recieve a makeup lesson. I found it very difficult to balance helping people face to face, answer phones on the first ring, try to get a hold of management for escalated issues whether it's clientele or staff. Reviews being completed when they're supposed to be, raises not given in timely manner including retro pay if applicable. 
My absolute favorite part of my day was when I hand out licorice to the kids after their lesson is over. Getting the best hugs or high fives and watch them dig through the treasure chest for a toy when they do extra well in their lesson (possibly accomplishing a skill that they may have been struggling with) or (mostly) move up a swim level.

I have been at Waterworks Aquatics for about a year and since have promoted twice. This is the first company I have ever worked for that has seen my potential and really played in to it giving me opportunities to grow and grow quickly. The managers are incredibly supportive and recognize what you are capable of and encourage you to do you best every day. 

There is no delay in advancement as the company wants to promote from within and will put you in positions where your skills are best utilized. 

From the office staff to aquatics, everyone is very friendly and welcoming. From my first day on the job to where I am now, I have never doubted that I have been supported and appreciated in my position here from team members at entry level positions to managers, and even from the owners of the company. 

On the Customer Relations Team, I handle a lot of tough situations on a daily basis. I work with client concerns and refund requests primarily. It can be a stressful position at times, however, I have a large network of people that are ready to support me and give me advice which I have never had at any other job before. I have a lot of people who rely on me throughout the day, but I also have a lot of people that I can rely on in return. 

This company is built on customer service and employee support and I have never had a moment where I didn't feel like I mattered in the larger picture which has been a huge factor in my decision to continue working here.

During the interview process, I was informed there was a 10-day probationary training period at $20 an hour, after which pay would be determined based on performance, ranging from $24-$30 an hour. What they do not make clear up front is that if training extends beyond 10 days — whether because there are no available calls to complete your final assessment or because you need to retake it — your pay remains at $20 an hour regardless. There is no automatic adjustment, and the decision of whether you are ready to move forward is entirely at management's discretion.

In my experience, the feedback conversations felt very one-sided and hostile, with little to no room for dialogue. I felt that some of the feedback given was based on misinterpretations of my performance rather than an accurate assessment, and there was an expectation to simply accept it and apply it without the ability to clarify or respond. That dynamic felt demoralizing rather than constructive.
The role also requires strictly following a script during calls and maintaining high energy at all times, and expressing any concerns about training expectations could be perceived negatively.

Overall I felt the experience was not a good fit for someone with prior professional experience, and I left feeling undervalued. I would strongly encourage candidates to ask very specific questions upfront about how pay is determined, what happens if training extends beyond 10 days, and what the criteria are for moving to full pay before accepting an offer.

I worked there for a little over 2 years in my time there I was able to move up and eventually join the training team. A typical day at work consists of answering phones and helping families schedule their lessons or calling families to see if they are interested in taking an free instructor training lesson. The only times when it does get a little intense is when instructors call out with very little notice and you have to call their clients and reschedule their lessons. I worked in the Irvine location and families were a little more on the entitled type so it was just a matter of working around that. All phone lines are connected meaning a family from the facility in Colorado could call and you end up picking up their phone call in Irvine and they may be asking you about a pair of goggles that they left when they came in that morning so you would have to communicate with the Colorado facility and check on that. Not difficult but families would get frustrated because they'd want to speak to someone working at the facility where they take their lessons. not all families were super entitled some were actually pretty nice and easy to work with. Management was okay we went through a few Office Managers and as always there was an instance where one of the lower end managers acted like the Office Manager and did as she pleased, that was annoying but other than that it was a good place to work at. 

* Full time hours peaked in the summer and in the winter hours were cut however, if you were an efficient employee then you would lose little to no hours of employment.

The typical workday at Waterworks Aquatic Center starts off in an environment that seems pretty comfortable in the beginning, as the day progresses you start to get overloaded with projects that management does not split fairly between the rest of the staff. They single out certain employees to do certain things because most of the new hires do not get properly trained to complete these tasks but still get the same compensation without the workload being split fairly. The hardest part about this job is that they train you to handle situations a certain way but when it comes to use these trainings with the customers upper management steps in gives customers exceptions we cannot provide so now the originally person that was assigned to help looks like they cannot complete their job in the correct fashion then it creates a balance where customers will reach out and expect to be helped with the same accommodations that only a manager of status can provide. The most enjoyable part of this job is the things you will learn along the way, this job will teach you and get you ready for multiple situations comfortable and uncomfortable that deal with multi-tasking and problem solving. 

I have been working for over 30 years and this place had the worst training I have ever experienced. On day 1 no one showed me around, or even where the bathroom was. One swim instructor approached me and welcomed me while on my break sitting by the pool because their break room has been closed since covid hit.  I was sat at a counter with a chair that was too short in front of a computer where the key board was too high and expected to watch videos and test after each one. One of the rules is no cell phone visible yet part of the testing required me to call a number and give a recorded answer. I had to use my cell phone to do this as no phone was provided. No one checked to see how I was doing or seemed like they even cared. On day 2,bi I expressed my concern and was told this is how they train and the tests are so you know where to find the info when on calls. Yet I was NEVER shown their data base to know where to look. Day 2 I quit. This company is looking for young people they can mold not seasoned administrative professionals. I did not feel welcomed or wanted here. I felt more like an annoyance. However if you are 20 and never worked and have a memory like an elephant and are willing to be molded this might just be the perfect place for you.

The job can be really fun if you like working with kids, they are they best part of the job. It can be fast paced which can be overwhelming at busy or stressful times. Time off policy is TERRIBLE, first year you are there they give you 5 days off and that includes any days pre approved when hired.  after that you get 14 and what ever PTO you acquire (but they only let you use it for being sick or emergencies). upper management is all dealt with over the phone, so it can be easy for them to say no to many requests since you’re not in person and it can feel very impersonal. Upper management (as in people not at your facility) tells employees to focus on empathy and never really shows it themselves. Pay can be good if you’re making all the extra bonuses. They advertise being around 25, but as a trainer I NEVER made 25, it’s really only maybe a dollar or two above minimum wage for new instructors. They are very accommodating with school schedules and making it work with school, and if there ever is a parent complaint about you they tent to choose you’re side and defend you. 

Waterworks Aquatics has grown immensely in the past couple months. Job security is high as they do look for employees that are long-term and looking to grow with them. Training does give you a chance to make sure the company is really a good fit for you. Reviews are all performance based and it does not matter how long you have been with the company. 

The work environment is very fast paced, there is always something going on, and you stay busy which makes the days fly by. It can be a bit hectic at times, but keeping your cool and staying positive definitely helps. 

Coworkers/managers are awesome and always help to keep everyone in high spirits, its a bit like family and they really do care about their employees. 

It is a business and to keep a professional environment they do have some stricter policies/procedures, however they are comparable with most other swim schools/businesses. 

Employee incentives include: safety appreciation days, staff appreciation days (management usually buys lunch), staff sport outings (flag football, kickball, basketball.. etc). They also do have a staff holiday party in December.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Swim instructor 103 salaries reported	$27.00 per hour
Call center representative 26 salaries reported	$25.35 per hour
Lifeguard 12 salaries reported	$20.08 per hour
Host/hostess 12 salaries reported	$17.61 per hour
Facilities maintenance technician 5 salaries reported	$21.30 per hour

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