The job you are trying to view has expired. Please perform a new search to find current jobs.

HEAD LIFEGUARD

County of Santa Cruz -
Santa Cruz, CA

Job Details

Qualifications

Cardiac arrest emergency response
Patient resuscitation
Lifeguard Training
Swimming
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidance
Swimming rescues

Full Job Description

County of S anta Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

HEAD LIFEGUARD
Extra Help

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional
Job # 26-GK3-EE

Salary: $21.55 – 22.75 / Hourly*
**September 2026 – 3.5% increase to base pay
*Includes $2.00 / Hour Extra Help Differential

Swim Lesson Instructors (Lifeguard Instructors)
receive a differential of $1.25/Hour

Closing Date: Friday, June 26, 2026

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every
status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an
environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Under supervision, supervise, train, schedule and evaluate the staff assigned to a swimming
facility; perform lifeguard and related duties; provide swimming instruction; manage the operation of
pools or other swimming facilities; organize, motivate, assist with hiring; schedule and evaluate the staff;
ensure that safety standards, sanitary requirements and regulations are enforced; prepare and maintain
routine reports on staff and operations; prepare staff schedules; supervise the care and maintenance of
swim lesson and lifesaving equipment; inventory equipment and supplies; enforce water safety rules and
regulations; perform rescues; perform first aid and resuscitation; act as a liaison between the public, staff,
and office personnel; suggest program improvements; supervise routine maintenance; plan and facilitate
staff meetings and in-service training; handle registration and general daily functions of an aquatics
facility; assist supervisors as requested and notify them of disturbances, emergencies and staff
performance problems; open and close swimming facilities; assist in the planning, organization, set up
and tear down of accommodations for special events and facility rentals; and perform other duties as
required.

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

THE REQUIREMENTS: 520 hours of lifeguard experience and 260 hours of swimming instruction experience

Special Requirements: Possession of a current American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate and a
current CPR Certificate. *

Acceptable Lifeguard and CPR Certifications include:

American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED

OR
American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid

With

The American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
OR

The American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare provider.
OR

The American Red Cross CPR – AED for Lifeguards

Post employment certifications required within six months of hire:

1. Oxygen Administration Course AND Santa Cruz County Instructor Training Program.
OR
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
AND

2. Attain one of the following:

First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22)
ARC Emergency Responder
First Responder

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)

You must submit a copy of each certificate you possess with your application in one of the following
ways: email ([email protected] ) / fax (831-454-2240) / or bring the copies to
the Human Resources Department.

IF HIRED, APPLICANTS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE MUST SUBMIT A WORK PERMIT. STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN
WORK PERMITS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AT THEIR SCHOOL.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required for persons 18 and older.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; strong and
unpleasant odors and fumes such as chlorine; noise from children; allergens such as poison oak, pollen,
and bee stings; pool chemical fluctuations which might cause irritation to eyes and skin; and the possibility
of administering first aid which may involve exposure to infections which might cause chronic disease or
death.

Other Requirements: Availability to work days, early mornings, late evenings and weekends; may be
required to furnish identification badges, uniforms, and Red Cross training materials.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of swimming hazards; lifeguard training techniques; first aid and
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the techniques and principles of swimming instruction. Some
knowledge of supervision and evaluation of staff; and principles of diversity and inclusion.

Ability to: Remain vigilant and act quickly in making rescues and rendering aid; perform rescues under
difficult conditions; enforce water safety standards and departmental regulations; instruct staff in
department policies and the enforcement of rules; supervise staff in programs including, but not limited
to: Lap Swim, Masters Swim, Water Exercise, Swim Team practices, Recreation Swim, Swim Lessons, Water
Polo, Private Parties and special facility events; provide leadership and motivate staff; train and evaluate
staff; maintain effective relations with the public and staff; communicate effectively with public and staff;
independently make decisions; read, understand and explain County policies and procedures; maintain
records and periodic reports; perform simple arithmetic calculations to make change; maintain a clean
and safe work area, which may include monitoring pool chlorine levels; accept constructive criticism and
direction from supervisors; motivate program participants; effectively deal with stressful and emergency
situations; swim 300 yards continuously per lifeguard training prerequisites; tread water for two minutes
per lifeguard training prerequisites; perform tasks requiring physical strength and/or stamina to effectively
rescue victims, administer first aid and CPR; perform work which involves frequent lifting, pushing and
pulling of heavy objects; hear and distinguish a variety of sounds in a noisy environment such as
participants in need of assistance, whistles, or co-workers requesting assistance in a rescue effort; see
program participants in need of assistance from any distances; speak loudly to warn program participants
of impending danger; and successfully complete all training provided by the department.

THE EXAMINATION: Candidates meeting minimum requirements will be forwarded to the Parks and
Recreation Department for a performance assessment of lifeguard skills covered in the American Red
Cross Lifeguard Training Course and a determination of employment duties (pass/fail). Candidates must
have the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and CPR Courses completed by the date of the
performance assessment. Eligibility will be valid for up to one year.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room
510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications
will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final
filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability
that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new
employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: This recruitment is for extra-help (temporary) employment that is of limited
duration. Extra-help employees are used for employment on short-term projects; on a seasonal basis to
meet recurrent work peaks; employment on an as-needed basis to meet peak workload, emergency, or
other unusual situations. Extra-help employees cannot work more than 999 hours in a fiscal year and are
covered by Social Security.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz
www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

LIVE Here WORK Here PLAY Here

MY 05/26

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected