Posting number: 091426 InstructGuard
Department: Recreation & Community Services
Job classification: Instructor / Guard
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Community Services, Recreation, Parks and Recreation
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.
Do you enjoy being outdoors and helping others? Looking to gain work experience and learn new skills? If so, the City of Ontario invites you to spend your time with us by becoming an Instructor/Guard. The Recreation & Community Services Department is now seeking enthusiastic individuals to staff its five (5) aquatic facilities located throughout the City. Instructor/Guards assist in pool recreational activities, observe swimmers to ensure safety, and enforce regulations to guard lives and prevent accidents. The Instructor/Guard position requires additional training beyond that of the Lifeguard position.
NOTE: If your application is accepted, you will be invited to participate in an assessment process, which will include an interview and swim test. Assessment dates and additional details regarding the assessment process will be provided at a later date. All potential hires are required to pass a fingerprint review and pre-employment physical examination, including a tuberculosis (TB) test.
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
Additionally, the successful candidate will embody the qualities of a "Five Tool Player" - Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the principles of the City's Customer Service Philosophy – Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.
Part-time/Temporary positions are scheduled to work no more than 29 hours per week and are not eligible to participate in the City's health insurance or retirement plans.
The City of Ontario's Community Life & Culture Agency endeavors to meet the Ontario City Council goal to "encourage, provide or support enhanced recreational, educational, cultural and healthy city programs, policies and activities." Community Life & Culture does this through a comprehensive array of programs, activities, services and events available through the Housing Services, Library, Museum, Arts & Culture, and Recreation & Community Services Departments.
The City of Ontario's Recreation & Community Services Department provides opportunities for wholesome, year-round public recreational services for every age group in the City of Ontario. Through a comprehensive array of programs and events, the Department continually strives to meet the City Council's goal to provide enhanced recreational, educational, and cultural activities to the community. The Department operates six community centers, a senior center, provides programming in over thirty parks, three dog parks, and oversees the management of a municipal golf course. The Recreation & Community Services Department is growing! In the next couple of years, the Department will oversee the development of a 150+ acre premiere regional sports complex; the building of the first phase (approximately 130 acres) of the Grand Park in Ontario Ranch; enhancing park amenities throughout the City; and putting plans in place to add new community centers throughout the City.
The mission statement of the Recreation & Community Services Department is to enhance community value through diverse opportunities, personal growth and healthy lifestyles by providing quality and affordable programs and services. The vision statement of the Recreation & Community Services Department is to be the leaders in building a healthy community through memorable experiences; connecting people to recreation. The Priority Values of the Recreation & Community Services Department include the following:
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.
The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2026 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:
State of the City The Ontario Plan
Logo featuring a sun rising over stylized mountains, with the text
Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario
Logo featuring Logo of the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association featuring stylized buildings, trees, and mountains. Text is prominently displayed.
The essential functions typically performed by the Instructor/Guard include the following:
Must be at least 16 years of age at time of appointment (hire).
Note: All candidates appointed to this position who are under the age of 18 and have not graduated from high school will be required to obtain a work permit by the date of new hire orientation.
Previous experience as a swim and/or aquatic fitness instructor.
At the time of application, applicants must possess the following valid American Red Cross certifications:
NOTE: A copy of the required certifications listed above MUST be attached to your application in order to be considered. Failure to attach a copy of the required materials may result in disqualification of your application.
Ability to work various schedules including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:
A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.
NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.
If you do not already possess the required certifications, the City of Ontario provides Lifeguard Training courses to assist you on your way to becoming an aquatic professional.
Classes are offered by the City of Ontario's Recreation & Community Services Department on a variety of dates. For more information on these classes please visit the City of Ontario website at www.ontarioca.gov/Registration or call (909) 395-2513.
To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.

In Southern California, just 35 miles from Los Angeles and uniquely positioned within the hub of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, the City of Ontario is the "economic engine" of one of the fastest growing regions in the United States.
Home to the Ontario International Airport, Ontario is increasingly identified for the competitive advantages it provides to businesses that want to succeed in the global marketplace and for its growing importance to the state, national and international economies.
It features an exceptional pro-business environment, competitive commercial lease rates, technical amenities, a skilled and abundant work force, and an innovation corridor of fourteen colleges and universities.
Ontario is the perfect location for establishing, relocating and expanding a business. We invite you to discover, explore and learn more about our focus on service.