Lead Lifeguard

Job Posting Title

Lead Lifeguard

Employee Type

Regular

Recruiting Start Date

06-29-2026

Job Exempt?

No

Recruiting End Date

Open Until Filled

Aloha mai!  Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools.  If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!

Job Summary

Under general supervision, assists in supervising the operation of the swimming pool and surrounding deck areas.  Schedules and oversees the work of regular and temporary status Lifeguards.  Supervises and monitors all pool facility users; initiates rescues and first aid; ensures pool and deck/bathroom/locker room areas are cleaned and maintained; monitors pool water chemistry.  Executes specialized work in protecting life, preventing accidents, enforcing safety regulations and providing instruction.  Oversees water safety for off-campus, aquatics field trips.

Essential Responsibilities

• Creates work schedules, assigns and oversees work of Lifeguards and temporary Lifeguards.
• Supervises swimming activities at the aquatics facility and during field trips at off campus sites (e.g. beaches, river, or non-KS pools) to ensure that policies, guidelines and safety procedures are followed. 
• Warns swimmers of improper activities or danger; enforces pool regulations and water safety policies.
• Evaluates conditions for safety and initiates aquatics emergency action plan as required.
• Administers first aid in the event of injury, rescues swimmers in distress or danger of drowning; administers CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary.
• Inspects pool facilities, equipment and water to ensure that they are safe and usable; supervises and assists in cleaning the pool and related facilities and equipment; monitors and adjusts pool water chemistry; maintains appropriate records.
• Resolves scheduling conflicts to ensure safe pool environment when competing programs/priorities require use of aquatic facilities.
• Instructs classes in fundamentals of swimming when needed.  Instructs and/or co-instructs various aquatic certification courses as needed e.g. Jr. Lifeguard, lifeguard training, CPR.
• Knowledge and ability to evaluate water conditions at aquatics facilities, at the beach/ocean, or other offsite natural pools, streams or rivers to determine any potential dangers or hazards, then adjusting programs as necessary to ensure the safety of the haumana and other staff.
• Ability to judge and evaluate evolving dynamics of individuals participating in aquatic activities to immediately assess their capabilities and threats to their safety.
• Knowledge of swimming pool chemistry and water testing.  Ability to evaluate test results and adjust water chemistry as necessary.

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications - An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the requirements listed.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 1 year related work experience.
• Certified Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate, or equivalent.
• American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer, or equivalent.
• American Red Cross Standard First Aid, or equivalent.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills to supervise and communicate with a diverse population to acquire compliance on rules and regulations.
• Knowledge and ability to evaluate water conditions at aquatics facilities, at the beach/ocean, or other offsite natural pools, streams or rivers to determine any potential dangers or hazards, then adjusting programs as necessary to ensure the safety of the haumana and other staff.
• Ability to judge and evaluate evolving dynamics of individuals participating in aquatic activities to immediately assess their capabilities and threats to their safety.
• Ability to employ appropriate lifesaving techniques and rescue methods appropriate for the site and conditions that apply.
• Knowledge and ability to render of first aid as applied to accidents in water and surrounding areas.
• Effectively enforce pool rules, understanding of pool rules and regulations governing swimming pool operation.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Knowledge of swimming pool chemistry and water testing.  Ability to evaluate test results and adjust water chemistry as necessary.
• Knowledge of proper swimming techniques and ability to teach all age levels.
• Ocean lifeguarding experience
• Ability to work flexible hours

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 or more years of experience.
• Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI).
• 1st Responder Certification.
• Ocean rescue experience.
• Previous experience teaching school-aged children.
• Previous experience in a school-setting.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Hawaiian culture and Christian values.
• Previous experience as a team or group lead.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Frequently grasps with light or fine manipulation, writes by hand, talks or hears.
• Frequently stands and/or walks, swims, and lifts and/or carries, pushes and/or pulls objects that weigh 50 pounds.
• Frequently twists, bends, stoops, squats, kneels, crawls, climbs, reaches or works above shoulder, or grasps firmly.

Working Conditions (including environmental conditions)   

• This position may involve traveling to various locations, on- and off-campus
• Work is conducted in a pool setting, with wet surfaces in a school environment.  May require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces such as beaches or other outdoor environments.
• Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours but evening and weekend hours are often required to meet goals and objectives.
• Frequent exposure to high humidity, sun and/or windy conditions
• Occasional exposure to unstable ground when offsite at ocean, pond or river.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please contact us at [email protected] or 808-534-8040 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

KS does not accept unauthorized solicitations of candidate referrals from third-party vendors (i.e. Staffing Agencies, Executive Recruitment Firms).  Any third-party vendor who has interest in supporting KS's recruiting efforts must be authorized by Human Resources prior to the vendor’s candidate applying with KS.  

Work Year

12

Pay Range

23.83 - 31.98 Hourly

Compensation and Benefits

Based on the compensation range provided below, salaries are commensurate with job-related experience, skills and competencies, education, internal equity, length of work year, and other organizational needs.

At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

Primary Location

Kapalama Campus

City, State

Honolulu, Hawaii

Additional Locations