What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lifeguard Trainee position at City of Palm Springs, CA?
Position Summary
THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index (Download PDF reader) website.
THE POSITION: This position is a member of the City’s Parks & Recreation Department and assists with the day-to-day operations of the Palm Springs Swim Center located in Sunrise Park. We are seeking energetic, enthusiastic individuals who have a desire to conduct swim and diving lessons, lifesaving classes, and provide lifeguard duties while assisting the Aquatics Supervisor in the total safety and operation of the swim center.
Upon the successful completion of the American Red Cross certificate in Lifeguard Training, you will receive a 5% increase in base pay!
Part-time positions are available:
- .75 FTE part-time position which works approximately thirty (30) hours per week
- .5 FTE part-time position which works approximately twenty (20) hours per week
- Date: TBD
- Time: TBD
- Location: Palm Springs Swim Center; 405 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs, Ca 92262
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Assessment:
- 300-yard swim breaststroke, front crawl, & freestyle
- Tread water for two (2) minutes without using arms
- Swim 20 yards to retrieve a 10-pound brick from the depth of the pool & tread 20 yards holding the brick with both hands above the water
- Oral Board: Candidates who successfully pass the swim assessment will be scheduled for an oral board exam
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Items Needed:
- Swim attire
- Valid government issued identification
Examples of Essential and General Responsibilities
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in teaching swimming lessons, other programs, and classes.
- Accept payments and manage reservations.
- Enforce rules and regulations.
- Maintain order in the pool; rescue persons in distress.
- Administer CPR and first aid when necessary.
- Provide first aid as needed; maintain and prepare related records and reports as required.
- Assist in general operations and maintenance of the swim center.
- Use computer systems and answer phones.
- Provide excellent customer service.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum and Preferred Requirements
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.
Experience
- Lfeguard/aquatic experience is preferred.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a current American Red Cross certificate in Lifeguard Training, including First Aid within three (3) months of hire date is required or a YMCA or Ellis and Associates International Lifeguard Training Program Certificate and the ability to obtain an American Red Cross certificate in Lifeguard Training, including First Aid within three (3) months of hire date is required.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate within three (3) months of hire date is required.
- Possession of a current (less than two years) tuberculosis clearance slip is required at the time of hiring.
- Possession of a current Title 22 First Aid Certificate is preferred.
Special Requirements
- Must be Sixteen (16) years or older at time of hire.
- Must pass a swim assessment prior to hire.
- Must be willing and able to work various hours including varied schedules, early morning, evening, weekends, and holidays.
- Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation, and physical and drug screen.
The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
This position works in an outdoor recreational environment with exposure to heat, cold, noise, wind, dust, and other extreme weather conditions; work or inspect in confined spaces; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; work in or with water; work or inspect underground; work at heights; noise level in the work environment is usually to moderate to loud; an may require maintaining physical condition necessary to stand, walk, sit, reach with hand and arms; sitting for prolonged periods; heavy, moderate or light lifting and carrying; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; climbing and lifting with both legs and arms; close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception; distinguish shades of color visually and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.
This position works in an outdoor recreational environment with exposure to heat, cold, noise, wind, dust, and other extreme weather conditions; work or inspect in confined spaces; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; work in or with water; work or inspect underground; work at heights; noise level in the work environment is usually to moderate to loud; an may require maintaining physical condition necessary to stand, walk, sit, reach with hand and arms; sitting for prolonged periods; heavy, moderate or light lifting and carrying; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; climbing and lifting with both legs and arms; close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception; distinguish shades of color visually and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.
Application and Exam Information
A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.
Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.
The selection process - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam, and department interview.
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.
Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.
The selection process - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam, and department interview.
Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.
Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.
For more information on completing your application materials click here.
If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:
Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.
For more information on completing your application materials click here.
If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:
The City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
www.palmspringsca.gov
760-323-8215
760-323-8215
Applications must be received by 4:00 pm on June 21, 2025, in order to be considered for this opportunity. We will continue to accept applications until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.
The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including:
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Retiree Health Savings Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Plan
- Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
- Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Retirement Plan through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
- Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.
- The City does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution for all regular positions.
