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Lifeguard
Job Reference schooltalent/TP/105/2052
Package Description
Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh
Contract Type: Part time, Permanent
Salary: £12.60 per hour
Benefits: Access to the Galleon Club leisure facilities
The Role
We are looking for a Lifeguard to join our team in our Centre for Sport on a part-time basis. Lifeguards play a critical role in the Centre in ensuring the safety of all pool users and all those using the facility.
The candidate will hold a valid RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). You should be physically fit to cope with this role and attend monthly competency training assessments. Candidates will have excellent interpersonal and team working skills but must also be able to work by themselves. Furthermore, you must be able to provide emergency care and treatment as required in a calm and effective manner, maintain a professional demeanour and possess excellent time management skills. The ability to follow verbal and written direction is essential.
Previous experience as a lifeguard is desirable but not essential.
We are looking to fill a specific shifts on a Friday evening 6pm to 10pm, Saturday 12pm to 5pm and Sunday 1pm – 5pm. Additional hours will also be available to cover holidays and sickness absence.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please click the Apply for this job button. Please include a letter of application addressed to Mr Ian McDonald, Centre for Sport Manager.
Closing date: 11:59pm on Sunday 24 August 2025
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview in the week commencing 1 September 2025.
Main Responsibilities
Lifeguarding:
To be responsible for all lifeguarding duties for the swimming pool, ensuring the safety of pool users at all times by following and adhering to the centre’s Pool Safety Operating Procedure.
To maintain constant surveillance of users in the swimming pool.
To provide emergency care and treatment as required until the arrival of emergency medical services.
To attend monthly competency training sessions to remain competent and able to deliver such services to members.
Customer Care:
To be visible and vigilant at all times whilst on poolside ensuring to be proactive in the management of this area and the behaviour and conduct of users.
To respond in a professional, helpful and friendly manner to a wide variety of customer enquiries when required on shift and covering the reception desk.
To ensure any complaints are dealt with professionally and passed onto the Centre for Sport Manager to be resolved promptly and efficiently.
Health and Safety:
To maintain the highest standards of Health and Safety for all Centre for Sport facilities by understanding all Club and relevant School policies, and understanding and reviewing all Normal Operating Procedures (NOPs) and Emergency Operating Procedures (EAP) to ensure they remain up to date.
To ensure all accidents and incidents are dealt with effectively and reporting procedures are fully adhered to, providing emergency care and treatment as required until the arrival of emergency medical services.
To safeguard pool safety by ensuring that the poolside is supervised at all times outside of scheduled events.
Maintaining the hygiene and cleanliness of the pool and wet side area.
To undertake routine maintenance checks on equipment, and report any maintenance issues, as well as any non-compliance of processes or procedures.
Attend any relevant training deemed suitable to protect or improve the service to members and enhance Club safety.
Other
To cover for colleagues’ absence, as required, and undertake any other reasonable duties requested by your line manager or members of the management team.
The Ideal Candidate
Essential criteria:
- Previous demonstrable experience of working within a Leisure or Fitness facility
- A current RLSS National Pool Lifeguarding Qualification (NPLQ)
- Able to provide emergency care and treatment as required in a calm and effective manner
- Able to work as part of a team and independently if required
- Able to follow directions (verbal and written)
- Professional and friendly demeanour
- Excellent time management skills
Desirable criteria:
- Hold a minimum of Level 2 gym qualification, HND in Fitness or a degree in a sports or health and fitness orientated course
- Previous experience as a lifeguard
- Previous experience of working in a School/working with children and an understanding of child protection regulations
About the school/organisation
George Watson's College sits in the heart of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, providing a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6.
We encourage our pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.
Our school is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, succeed, explore, perform, and grow, giving them the opportunity to discover their own limitless potential.
Preschool, junior and senior pupils all learn and play on the same 52-acre campus, where our sports facilities, music school, art department, technology building and drama studios are within walking distance.
We offer our pupils one of the widest extra-curricular programmes you will find anywhere, plus the opportunity to travel internationally during their time with us, and a broad range of learning experiences outside the classroom.
Digital technology supports and enhances learning, with every pupil encouraged to use their device where it adds real value to developing skills and critical thinking.
Our school has an enviable reputation for the breadth of opportunities pupils have to get active, with around 25 different sports available to both girls and boys. Participation, excellence, professionalism and equality are the four cornerstones of our physical education and sport department here at Watson's.
When it comes to music and drama, our pupils are given the opportunity to co-produce stunning shows, delivering memorable performances that live long beyond school days.
Most importantly, the wellbeing of our pupils matters to us more than anything else. There are various ways we support pupils to proactively manage their mental health, while a range of peer-led programmes has created a culture in which we can all play our part.
All this means that when the sun shines we celebrate the happy moments, and when it doesn't we're there to protect and support, just as our motto says: ex corde caritas - love from the heart. www.gwc.org.uk
