At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure safety at the pool, deliver excellent customer service, and maintain cleanliness.
- Company: Join Glasgow Life, a charity dedicated to improving lives through sport and culture.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, pension scheme, employee support, and discounts on memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable skills and experience.
- Qualifications: Competent swimmer; lifeguard qualification preferred but training provided.
- Other info: Flexible hours, supportive 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. Our Pools are: Bellahouston, Scotstoun, Tollcross, Gorbals, North Woodside, Pollok, Drumchapel, Springburn, Easterhouse, Maryhill and Castlemilk.
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! We’re looking for candidates who:
- 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
At Glasgow Life, our work changes lives. As a charity, we bring communities together and support wellbeing through sport, culture, heritage, and learning. We support you to live a great life. Inside and outside of work. Some of our benefits include:
- 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. Fancy a bit more time off? 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 - Sometimes we all need support and a listening ear. Our free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme can support your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
- Discounts - As a colleague, you can enjoy discounts on the things you love, from Glasgow Club memberships to our museum shops and our online store. We are also part of the cycle-to-work scheme, helping you stay active.
- 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. While exact dates are yet to be confirmed, candidates must be able to commit to this with training expected to take place in June and will be discussed in more detail at interview.
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. We’re also committed to Fair Work First principles, including effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect for all our staff. We’re working hard to address underrepresentation in our workforce. We especially welcome applications from people with disabilities and from ethnic minority communities. We’re excited to hear from you. Let’s shape a great Glasgow life — together.
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 interview. Make sure you're comfortable with all the requirements, like treading water and diving. Being prepared will boost your confidence and impress the interviewers!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your customer service skills! Think of examples from past experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond for someone. This will highlight your ability to create a welcoming environment for visitors.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Glasgow Life and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Glasgow Life Assistant - Pool Lifeguard – 10 Posts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you start your application, take a moment to really understand what being a Pool Lifeguard at Glasgow Life involves. Check out the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for.
Tailor Your Answers: When you answer the question about your skills and qualities, make sure to refer back to the Person Specification. Highlight your relevant experience and show us why you’re the perfect fit for this role!
Be Yourself: We want to see the real you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your enthusiasm for making a difference in Glasgow through sport and culture.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to complete your application through our website. It’s quick and easy, and it ensures that your application goes directly to us. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Glasgow Life
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Pool Lifeguard and the responsibilities that come with it. Familiarise yourself with Glasgow Life's mission and values, as well as the specific pools you'll be working at. This will show your enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference in the community.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your swimming abilities during the swim test. Practise the required skills beforehand, like treading water and diving. If you have any previous experience in customer service or teamwork, be ready to share those examples, as they’ll highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
During the interview, focus on your communication skills. Be clear and concise when answering questions, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. Remember, excellent communication is key in ensuring safety and providing great customer service.
✨Be Yourself
Glasgow Life values authenticity, so let your personality shine through. Share your passion for sport and community engagement, and express why you want to be part of their team. Being genuine will help you connect with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.