Pool Lifeguard (Extra-help) - New Cuyama Pool

Full Job Description

SALARY: $22.00 - $25.00 Hourly

Salary depends on experience/qualifications

THE POSITION
Looking for an exciting and rewarding summer job? The County of Santa Barbara’s Community Services Department is accepting applications to hire seasonal Lifeguards to perform varied lifesaving and accident prevention services at the Joseph Centeno Aquatics Center in New Cuyama.

The pool is open from Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 2026, to Labor Day, September 7, 2026. Work hours can range from 14 hours to 40 hours per week. On your application, select work location “New Cuyama”.

Don’t miss your opportunity to join an elite team of lifesavers this summer. Whether you're an experienced guard or looking to start your journey in water safety, Get ready to spend your summer making waves!

NOTE: These are Civil Service Rule (CSR) 905 Extra Help Appointments.

An extra help appointment is defined as an appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Dependable/Responsible
• Trustworthy
• Flexible
• Excellent customer service and communications skills
• Experience as a pool lifeguard

Requirements

• Apply appropriate rescue, lifesaving and first aid techniques.
• Identify and utilize basic communications systems including cellular phones, two-way radios, hand signals, whistles, megaphones and signage.
• Utilize different methods of lifting and removing a victim from the water.
• Explains rules and regulations to patrons, ensuring compliance with municipal codes, rules, and policies.
• Maintains pool safety and facility cleanliness by enforcing the County laws.
• Picks up trash and debris to maintain pool area in clean, healthy and/or safe manner.
• Maintains lifeguard equipment to include inspection of lifesaving equipment and apparatus.
• May assist with Swim Lessons, Aqua Aerobics or other programming; occasionally work directly with children and program participants, create lesson plans, assist with activities, and demonstrate rescue or competition techniques.
• Perform other duties as directed or assigned.

Qualifications

• You must be at least 16 years of age and possess the ability to swim at the time of application.

Additional Information

SELECTION PROCESS:
If you have completed the required tryout in the last twelve months, have worked as an Open Water or Pool Lifeguard in the last twelve months, or possess valid certifications see TRYOUT AND CERTIFICATION EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION below.

Application Review. Review applications to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

• Age 16-17: Applicants that meet these standards will receive an email notification of next steps.
• Age 18 and older: Applicants that meet the employment standards will receive the Community Services Background Questionnaire.
  

Community Services Background Questionnaire: All candidates that are 18 years or older are required to complete a questionnaire. An email will be sent with detailed information and a deadline. If you complete the questionnaire and successfully pass, you will be invited to the next step.

Lifeguard Tryouts and Interviews: All applicants that qualify will receive an email to confirm you have been invited to the tryouts and interview. Candidates who successfully pass the tryout swim will be invited to an interview.

Pool Lifeguard Tryouts include the following:

1. Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

2. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

If you pass the swim and interview, you will be contacted regarding a Conditional Job offer, and reference checks will be completed. Part of the conditional job offer includes completing required training for the position.

TRYOUT AND CERTIFICATION EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION:

• Tryouts – Tryouts will be weekends in April; please contact Erik Pederson via email at: epederson@countyofsb.org to schedule. Training opportunities with Centeno guards may be available on weekends in April and May.
• Trainings & Certifications– A candidate must be certified in:
  1. American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification
  2. American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and/or First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) or greater.

Opportunities to obtain certifications may be offered in April and May and are free of charge. We will try to work with qualified candidates to schedule the best time for the potential new hires.

Note: A candidate can provide proof of required certifications to satisfy training requirements.

Certifications must be valid through October 1, 2026, and must be included as an attachment in the candidate’s application.

This includes certifications in American Red Cross Lifeguarding or equivalent certification. The certification must have taken place within twelve months prior to the application closing date.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing: This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment: The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Friday, March 27, 2026 at 4:59 pm PST, postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

For more information contact: Collin Graham, Talent Acquisition Analyst at cgraham@countyofsb.org, or Erik Pederson, Aquatics Supervisor at epederson@countyofsb.org.