Head Lifeguard

Job Details

Level
:
Experienced

Job Location
:
Rec Center - Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Position Type
:
Full Time

Salary Range
: $20.21 - $28.29 Hourly

This position is open until filled. The first application review will be on January 16, 2026. This Head Lifeguard position will work a standardized schedule Monday-Friday from 4:30am-12:30pm with occasional need to flex to support operations.

GENERAL

PURPOSE:

Responsible for the on-site supervision of the aquatic facility, pool maintenance, staff relations, public contact, shift reports, lifeguard training, and auditing. May work both at an indoor and outdoor pool locations

Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains.

It operates as a home‑rule city with a council‑manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.

CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:

• Accountability:
  Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community
• Change:
  Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Teamwork:
  Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals.
• Integrity:
  Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.
• Opportunity:
  Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City.
• NOW!:
  Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Primarily responsible for on‑deck supervision of the aquatic facilities, assigned staff, and guests.
• Oversee assigned shifts to include assigning work tasks for Lifeguards I & II and monitoring progress, coach and train team members on performance of work, lifesaving techniques, and water safety principles.
• Ensure city policies, pool rules, and regulations regarding the operation of the pool are adhered to and enforced by the team members.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of the public.
• Complete and maintain a variety of reports, forms, files, and other records as required in an accurate and timely manner, i.e., daily records of water chemistry, attendance, maintenance, cleaning, lifeguard audits and training, incident reports, rescue reports, shift reports, and employee coaching forms.
• Operate and maintain the pool and equipment; conduct daily walk‑through of facility to ensure appropriate appearance; document needed repairs and maintenance; maintain accurate inventory of first aid, chemical, operating, and program supplies.
• Perform as a lifeguard or swim instructor as assigned.
• When scheduled at the outdoor pool, the Head Lifeguard will complete all cash reports and deposits from the concession stand and uphold cash handling requirements. The Head Lifeguard works in absence of Specialists, Coordinators, and Supervisors and must be available to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. The Head Lifeguard will have a typically assigned regular schedule, with occasional flexibility needed to support operations.
• Other duties assigned as appropriate by the position.

Knowledge

• Pool mechanics, chemistry, and routine maintenance.
• Swim instruction and methods for swim instruction.
• Lifeguarding methods and techniques, aquatic safety and risk management, principles and practices of supervision, and training and evaluation.

Skills

• Preparing written reports and projects.
• Skilled in operation of equipment necessary to perform the functions of the job.

Abilities

• Analyze mechanical pool problems and make minor repairs, perform routine mechanical and chemical pool…