Lifeguard

Responsible for protecting the safety of members and participants in and around aquatic facilities. Prevents potential accidents by ensuring adherence to policies and program standards of the YMCA of San Diego County. Provide excellent customer service to members and participants.

Not certified? No problem! GET CERTIFIED AT THE Y!

We offer paid certification training to candidates who have been hired!

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

Hiring Locations:

North County – Rancho Family YMCA (Rancho Penasquitos) - Must be available Mon-Fri from 5:15am-1:45pm or 12pm-8:45pm 

North County – Mottino Family YMCA (Oceanside) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day 

North County – Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA (Encinitas) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day (Prefer candidates who can open the pool at 5am)

Central – Toby Wells Family YMCA (Kearny Mesa) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day 

Central – Copley-Price Family YMCA (City Heights) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day 

Central – Jackie Robinson Family YMCA (Southeast SD) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day

Central – Mission Valley YMCA (Mission Valley) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day

Coastal – McKinney Family YMCA (La Jolla) - Summer Hiring! Get hired and train now, start working in the summer - Start Date: 05/01/26

East County – McGrath Family YMCA (Spring Valley/Rancho San Diego) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day 

East County – Cameron Family YMCA (Santee) - Must be available for a minimum of 25 hours per week during the summer and available on Saturdays  

East County – Davis Family YMCA (La Mesa) - Must be available for at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day  

South County – South Bay Family YMCA (Chula Vista) - Must be available on weekdays from 4:30am-10am or 10am-3:30pm and Sundays from 8:30am-1:15pm  

South County – Border View Family YMCA (Otay Mesa) - Summer Hiring! Get hired and train now, start working in the summer - Start Date: 06/01/26 

If you do not see the location you are looking for in the list above, that is because the location is not currently hiring for this position.

• Practice preventative lifeguard techniques at all times to include but not limited to the following:
• Positioned to have full view of the area of responsibility above and below water surface
• Area of responsibility not greater than 180 degrees
• Scan area of responsibility every 5 to 10 seconds
• Must have contact with victim within 10 seconds
• Remain within 2 feet of the pool at all times
• Perform appropriate rescues
• Report any hazards or problems to Director immediately
• Educates participants regarding rules and regulations of pool area
• Participate in scheduled and random lifeguard drills
• Administer First Aid and/or CPR as necessary
• Perform chemical tests as scheduled and add chemicals to the pool as needed when not lifeguarding
• Ability to work effectively with others in alignment with the YMCA 4 Core Values
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swift in an emergency situation
• Ability to adequately observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned needs to be included to all roles

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Current YMCA or Red Cross Lifeguard Certification (must crossover to YMCA within 6 months)
• Current CPR PRO/AED and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute
• Current First Aid certification (First Aid for Public Safety Personnel within 11 months) and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute
• Current O2 certification and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute
• Must pass written and practical skills exam prior to duty

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.