Career Opportunity

Pool Lifeguard (3208) - Camp Mather 2026 (outside of San Francisco) - SF Recreation & Parks

Recruitment: REF60013X

Published: February 03, 2026

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Application Opening: Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through February 27, 2026 and will close any time thereafter.
Compensation: $26.6375/hour + Room and Board
Appointment Type: This position is a temporary exempt, as-needed appointment. This position is seasonal and will not result in a permanent civil service position. Employees serve at the will of the Appointing Officer.

NOTE: Applicants must complete the supplemental questionnaire found in the Steps to Apply section of this job announcement in addition to submitting an application. Only applicants who submit both an application AND supplemental questionnaire will be considered for participation in the department's selection process.

About Us
Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America.  In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city Learn More. Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages.  Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.

More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city.

About Camp Mather
Each summer, the Recreation and Park Department operates Camp Mather, a rustic family campground located near Yosemite National Park, about 3 hours east of San Francisco. Each week, approximately 500 campers enjoy a week-long stay filled with a wide range of recreation activities such as a supervised swimming pool, a scenic lake for water activities, guided hiking excursions, organized recreation programs, and evening campfire entertainment. Guests stay in cozy cabins, and enjoy 3 delicious meals each day, served cafeteria-style with a full salad bar and exceptional service.

Learn more about Camp Mather on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2S_JZ4kKr5I.

Role description

As a lifeguard, you will be responsible for guarding the swimming pool, guarding the Birch Lake waterfront, roving the Lake Lawn, instructing guests how to use canoes and stand-up paddle boards and of course first aid and lifesaving.  You will also be required to perform in the weekly Staff Talent Show and camp orientation campfire.  You will work six days a week, 6.5 hours per day, and shifts may be broken up.  Please note that everyone, regardless of job title, will be expected to contribute in all areas of the camp when necessary including working in the kitchen. 

Essential Duties: 

1. Patrol and monitor pool, lake & waterfront activities, facility patrons and swimmers to prevent accidents; identify people in distress or those in danger. 
2. Conduct rescue operations; perform lifesaving techniques; assist swimmers in distress and rescue swimmers in danger; pull drowning victims out of the water; call for emergency assistance; perform first aid resuscitation measures when necessary. 
3. Communicate with facility patrons; caution swimmers regarding unsafe practices and safety hazards; enforce pool, lake & waterfront rules and regulations; maintain order in and around the pool, lake & waterfront. 
4. Maintain aquatic facility by inspecting and observing the pool, lake & waterfront area, change rooms and deck for safety and cleanliness; perform general pool, lake & waterfront facility maintenance duties including cleaning and disinfecting pool, lake & waterfront change rooms and deck; may take and record water quality samples in the absence of a supervisor.  Prepare the facility for various aquatic events, handle and store equipment and materials when not in use. 
5. Collect revenue and fees for facility use and participation in facility activities and events; greet and check in facility guests. 
6. Provide customer service; share general information regarding facility operations, programs and schedules. 
7. Prepare incident and accident reports as necessary. 
8. At Camp Mather, perform additional duties scheduled for at least two to three times a week which will include but not limited to kitchen duties (serving meals, cleaning after dinners, stocking and performing industrial style kitchen cleanup, etc.), light janitorial cleanup, recreational activities including the weekly staff talent show, etc.  
9. Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Tentative Schedule 

May 17, 2026:  Arrival at camp.

May 25 - 31, 2026: Waterfront Training

August 31, 2026: Conclusion of camp assignment

September 05, 2026: Latest Departure Date

Policies and Expectations of Staff
Employees are expected to follow the policies as described in the 2026 Camp Mather Pre-Hire Policies. Failure to follow these policies may result in termination.

Work Conditions at Camp Mather
Housing and Meals: During employment, FREE meals and housing is provided to camp employees. Camp staff live in shared housing with other camp staff.

Nature of Work: Includes working both indoors and outdoors, exposure to sun, snow, rain, high/low temperatures, and potential wildfire smoke, and will regularly encounter bugs and insects.

Work Schedule: Work schedule to be determined. Shifts include weekends and evenings. Overtime may be required.

Work Location: Camp Mather is located in the High Sierra near Yosemite National Park about 3 hours east of San Francisco.

Transportation: Camp Mather employees are responsible for securing their own transportation to and from Camp Mather. Parking is available for personal vehicles. Public transportation and Rideshare Apps (Uber/Lyft) are limited and are not a reliable source because of our remote location.

Cell Phone & Internet: Camp Mather has VERY limited cellular and internet/Wi-Fi services available on its grounds.

How to qualify

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of hire, due to the dormitory living arrangements.

License and Certification: 
Current possession and maintenance of the following certifications or the equivalent of: 

1. Lifeguarding issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency;
2. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency; 

Possession of the following certification or equivalent within twelve (12) months of appointment:

1. Oxygen Administration for the Professional Rescuer issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency; and
2. Title 22 - First Aid for Public Safety Personnel issued by the American Red Cross or equivalent certified issuing agency.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Waterfront Certificate issued by Red Cross or equivalent agency
• ServSafe Certificate or California Food Handler Card 
• AED certification 
• Citizen or Neighborhood Emergency Response Team Training 
• Ability to work with and live around coworkers and guests, of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs 
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form 
• Good physical condition and ability to lift up to 50 pounds 
• Ability to maintain a neat and clean appearance at all times 
• Ability to provide great customer service to guests in a friendly and helpful manner 

Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

What else should I know?

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete the required supplemental questionnaire: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/mi38F1yRi4. Only applications with a submitted supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed for consideration in the department's selection process. 
2. Complete your application with as much detail as possible in the experience section. Please be sure to include all relevant training and experience in your application. It is essential that you provide complete information. A resume will not substitute for a completed application. If you write "see resume" on your application, your application may be rejected.
3. Attach current certifications with application or via email to absar.khan@sfgov.org as soon as possible.
4. If selected to continue in this process, be prepared to participate in a selection/performance test.  See Remote Performance Testing section. 

Selection Process: The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to the minimum qualifications and response to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.

Remote Aquatics Testing May Be Available
If you are selected for a performance test and reside outside the immediate Bay Area, you may request to complete a remote aquatics test at a local pool with a qualified Lifeguard. Written procedures and waiver forms will be provided to guide you through the process.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.

Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions, you may contact Absar Khan at absar.khan@sfgov.org.  

Race and Social Equity Statement
We believe that parks and open space in San Francisco provides the opportunity to model equitable access for all.  With this belief, San Francisco became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park. The Recreation and Park Department’s goal is to close the gaps and improve equity and access to quality parks and open space, and recreation activities for historically marginalized communities.

We envision a department that proactively infuses racial and social equity in its internal operations.  With a multi-disciplinary team of talented individuals - gardeners, recreation leaders, park rangers, custodians, craft shop personnel, park and recreation managers and more, the department is committed to doing its part to provide equitable access to parks and programs for all the communities we serve to enjoy, as well as foster a work environment where our differences are celebrated, and everyone has what they need to thrive regardless of their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.