At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise open water swimming and paddlesport activities while ensuring participant safety.
- Company: Join GLL, the UK's largest leisure operator and a values-driven organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, career development, health assurance, and discounted leisure memberships.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy extensive learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while enjoying the great outdoors.
- Qualifications: Passion for water activities and customer service; lifeguard qualifications are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
GLL is looking for Open Water Lifeguards to work at Herts Young Mariners Base, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. If you have the skills and ambition to join us as an Open Water Lifeguard, there has never been a more exciting time to join us. This is more than a lifeguarding job - it's an opportunity to build a rewarding career in watersports, outdoor activities and community wellbeing.
An Open Water Lifeguard's role cannot be underestimated, nor can the responsibility that comes with ensuring the safety of participants enjoying open water swimming and paddlesport activities. If you're calm under pressure, highly responsible and confident working with people from all walks of life, this is your chance to develop your skills in a unique outdoor environment.
As an Open Water Lifeguard, your passion for water-based activities and commitment to excellent customer service will shine through when supervising open water swimming sessions, supporting paddlesport activities and helping maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all users of the centre.
What you’ll do:
- Supervise open water swimming sessions and associated activities.
- Monitor participant safety and respond appropriately to incidents and emergencies.
- Conduct safety checks and set up equipment before sessions.
- Support the delivery of paddlesport and watersports activities where required.
- Deliver first-class customer service.
- Deal confidently with customer enquiries.
- Assist with the preparation, cleaning and upkeep of equipment and activity areas.
- Work as part of a team to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and customer experience.
What you need:
- A can-do attitude.
- A strong focus on customer service.
- Passion, enthusiasm and personality.
- Knowledge of health and safety principles.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Experience in paddlesports, open water swimming or other water-based activities.
- Confidence working in and around open water environments.
Desirable qualifications include:
- Open Water Swimming Lifeguard qualification.
- Swim Safety Rescue (SSR) qualification.
- Relevant paddlesport qualifications and experience.
Successful applicants who do not already hold an appropriate open water rescue qualification will receive a fully funded Swim Safety Rescue (SSR) course as part of their development.
The basics:
- Hours of work will be negotiated in line with the needs of the service.
- Flexible working arrangements may be available.
- We offer a career, not just a job, with extensive learning and development opportunities.
- A uniform will be supplied and must be worn.
GLL is Values Driven, not Profit Driven. We work hard to benefit the communities we operate in. As a staff-owned organisation, you'll have the opportunity to join the Society and have a stake in your business.
Additional employee benefits:
- Access to a pension scheme.
- Health Assurance and counselling services.
- Access to the tax-efficient Ride to Work bicycle purchase scheme.
- Free annual eye tests.
- Discounted nationwide leisure centre membership for you and your partner across over 200 centres.
- Access to GLL Extras benefits.
GLL Society benefits:
If you choose to join the Society after your probation period, you'll benefit from:
- The right to stand for the Society Board and vote for board members.
- Access to team-building and social events.
- Access to a range of benefits exclusive to Society members.
About GLL:
As the UK's largest leisure operator and charitable social enterprise, we offer a range of careers serving local communities. We manage over 400 facilities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including leisure centres, elite sporting venues, libraries and children's centres. Our people come from the communities we serve and help us make a real difference locally. One of our core values is More than a Job because working with us opens up a wide range of opportunities and career pathways. Whether you are seeking regular contracted hours or greater flexibility, we may be able to offer a working arrangement that suits you while helping improve the health and wellbeing of your community. Passionate about seeing our communities thrive, we invest back into our facilities, projects and people and are proud to be an Investors in People Gold Award employer. However you choose to work with us, you can be sure you will be a valued member of our team, working with great colleagues and making a real difference to people's lives. We are an inclusive employer and actively seek and welcome diversity in our teams. All pay rates are subject to skills, experience, qualifications and location.
Open Water Swimming Lifeguard employer: Job Search Place Limited
GLL is an exceptional employer, offering Open Water Lifeguards at Herts Young Mariners Base the chance to build a fulfilling career in watersports and community wellbeing. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to social responsibility, GLL provides a supportive work culture where your passion for outdoor activities can thrive. As a staff-owned organisation, you’ll have a stake in the business and access to exclusive benefits, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Open Water Swimming Lifeguard
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Job Search Place Limited. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Job Search Place Limited. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Open Water Swimming Lifeguard
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Job Search Place Limited aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Job Search Place Limited, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.