At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure safety at the pool, provide excellent customer service, and maintain cleanliness.
- Company: Join Glasgow Life, a charity dedicated to improving lives through sport and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and support for your wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable skills and experience.
- Qualifications: Confident swimmer; willing to achieve Pool Lifeguard qualification within 12 weeks.
- Other info: Flexible hours, dynamic team environment, and opportunities for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and that starts with the people who work here. Glasgow Life is a charity like no other. Our vision is to improve the lives of everyone in our city. To help us achieve that, we are looking for Pool Lifeguards to join our Sport Operations team. You don’t need a lifeguard qualification to apply, as we provide training for competent swimmers who are enthusiastic about making a real difference through culture and sport in Glasgow.
What you need to know
- Permanent Full Time Hours: 35 hours per week, worked over 5 days out of 7. Depending on the venue, weekday shifts can start as early as 5:45am and finish as late as 10:30pm, with weekend shifts running between 8am and 8pm. Rotas usually follow a three-week cycle, giving you plenty of notice of your working hours.
- Pay Details: The hourly salary is £14.37 per hour.
- Location: City-wide, with your main base discussed at interview.
What you’ll do
As a Pool Lifeguard you’ll be part of an established team, reporting to the Duty Manager. You’ll play a key role in ensuring the safety of all swimmers and visitors whilst delivering excellent customer service and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the venue. You’ll supervise the pool and changing areas, respond to emergencies, assist with activities and events, and support reception duties including managing bookings, answering enquiries, and welcoming customers. You’ll also help with venue routines, opening and closing procedures, and complete all required training to maintain qualifications, contributing to the smooth operation of the venue and a positive experience for all visitors. Your work will make a visible and lasting difference in supporting our communities, helping people get active, creating cultural experiences or working behind the scenes to make it all happen.
Who you are
We’re looking for someone with the right skills who brings energy to the role. If the following sounds like you, apply today!
- Hold a current Pool Lifeguard qualification (e.g., STA, NPLQ) — certificates and training hours will be verified at interview. OR, be willing to achieve and attend a scheduled STA Pool Lifeguard qualification course within 12 weeks (delivered by Glasgow Life).
- Are confident and competent swimmers, able to complete a Pool Lifeguard swim test, including jump/dive into deep water, swim 100m on front/back without stopping, swim 50m in under 1 minute, surface dive down to the deepest part of the pool to recover a mannequin, tread water for 30 seconds and climb out unaided.
- Are willing and able to attend regular training to maintain a pool lifeguard qualification.
- Demonstrate excellent communication and customer service skills, with experience working with the public.
- Work effectively as part of a team.
- Can set up equipment and facilities for customer use.
- Prioritise safety, maintaining a secure, safe and welcoming environment for all visitors and staff.
- Have proficient literacy and numeracy skills.
What we offer
- Holiday - When you join, you’ll get 30 days’ holiday. Plus 6.5 public holidays if you’re full-time. This increases to 35 days after 5 years of service. You can buy extra holiday too!
- Pension - Join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a Defined Benefit scheme that provides you with a secure pension for later life.
- Support - Our free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme can support your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
- Discounts - As a colleague, you can enjoy discounts on Glasgow Club memberships, museum shops, and our online store. We are also part of the cycle-to-work scheme.
- Flexibility and development - We are proud of our flexible and inclusive work policies, which help you balance work and life. We also offer support for learning, development and career progression.
How to Apply
To get started, complete our short application form. You’ll fill out details of your qualifications, training and work history and answer the question, ‘What skills and qualities make you a good fit for this job?’. Be sure to refer to the Person Specification, which lists the criteria when answering this question. When selecting candidates for interviews, managers will look for candidates who meet all the ‘essential’ criteria.
Important Dates:
- Closing date for this job is 11.59pm 26 April 2026.
- Interviews will be held between 1 to 4 May. Interviews will consist of a competency-based interview followed by a Pool Lifeguard swim test.
- For candidates who need training to gain the Pool Lifeguard qualification, this will be provided through a 6 weekday course, running from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Learn More About Us
Our Sports service gets Glasgow moving! From Glasgow Club gyms to Walking Football and Learn to Swim programmes, we help people of all ages and abilities enjoy the power of sport—keeping active, healthy and connected.
Diversity and Fair Work at Glasgow Life
We’re working to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of Glasgow’s communities — where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to be their full, authentic selves at work. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Glasgow Life Assistant - Pool Lifeguard - 10 Posts employer: Glasgow Life
Contact Detail:
Glasgow Life Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Glasgow Life Assistant - Pool Lifeguard - 10 Posts
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venues! Familiarise yourself with the different pools and their locations. This will not only help you feel more confident during your interview but also show your genuine interest in the role and the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your swim test skills before the big day! Make sure you're comfortable with all the requirements, like treading water and diving. Being prepared will boost your confidence and help you shine during the swim test.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your customer service skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've provided excellent service. This will come in handy when answering questions about how you can contribute to a positive experience for visitors.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and keen to be part of Glasgow Life. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Glasgow Life Assistant - Pool Lifeguard - 10 Posts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to know who you are and what makes you tick. Don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to making a difference in Glasgow.
Match Your Skills: Take a good look at the Person Specification and make sure you highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. Use specific examples to demonstrate your customer service skills and teamwork abilities – we love seeing real-life applications!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we want to hear all about you, it’s important to keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid long-winded explanations and focus on the key points that showcase your suitability for the Pool Lifeguard role. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need right there to help you along the way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Glasgow Life
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Pool Lifeguard. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like ensuring safety, delivering customer service, and maintaining cleanliness. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your swimming skills during the swim test. Practise the required swim techniques beforehand, so you can complete the test with ease. Highlight any previous experience working with the public or in team settings, as this will showcase your ability to communicate and work effectively.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Glasgow Life values teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you've worked collaboratively in past roles. Share specific examples of how you contributed to a team’s success, whether it was in sports, events, or other activities. This will show that you can fit into their established team dynamic.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training process for the Pool Lifeguard qualification or what a typical day looks like. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.