City applications for seasonal lifeguards now open

06 August 2020

To ensure the safety of visitors in and around water bodies, the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is calling on applicants for temporary lifeguard positions at municipal swimming pools and beaches in the coming months.

The City of Cape Town's Recreation and Parks Department is hard at work preparing for the next summer season, even though it is quite challenging due to the national lockdown. 

This includes ensuring that City-owned amenities are ready for visitors when the warmer weather returns, but also that there are enough lifeguards to help keep bathers safe in and around water bodies. 

About 330 seasonal beach lifeguards and 290 municipal pool lifeguard vacancies must be filled.  

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements can find all the relevant documentation and application forms online at www.capetown.gov.za/lifeguards.  

The City will only accept electronic applications via email this year. 

Recruiting seasonal lifeguards is a 23-week process on average, which includes the advertising of positions, shortlisting, physical assessments, drug testing, checking of criminal records, interviews, contract signing and induction of staff, together with the associated administration for each step of the process.  

With the current restrictions on travel between provinces, large gatherings of people, reduction in paperwork and social distancing considerations, these recruitment components have had to be redesigned. The department will be following an electronic recruitment process, with limited contact sessions, and with smaller groups of applicants. 

We are planning for unpredictable crowd patterns in the 2020/21 summer season with little to no international tourists, shortened school holidays and local visitors who would likely not have leave quota to use on a holiday in Cape Town.  

Swimming pool capacities might have to be adjusted to meet social distancing requirements.  

Despite this, lifeguards would have to be prepared to perform rescues under high-risk conditions for exposure to COVID-19 at any time. Their training and orientation must now include the correct use of additional Personal Protective Equipment to keep both patients and themselves safe while performing rescues in the water and treating patients on land.  

The Drowning Prevention team is motivated to make a success of the 2020/21 summer season, and is looking forward to offering safe swimming spaces to our visitors, regardless of the challenges and uncertainties that we currently face. 

The following minimum requirements must be met: 

Seasonal Beach Lifeguard:

• A Grade 10 certificate or 12 months relevant lifesaving experience; or
• A qualification equivalent to a Grade 10 and 6 months' voluntary duties with a surf lifesaving club and/or have worked one season as a temporary/seasonal surf lifeguard; or
• A minimum of five years lifesaving experience while in possession of a Lifeguard Award with a valid annual retest

In addition, you need:

• A valid Surf Lifeguard Award, Rescue Swimmer Award or equivalent with current annual retest;
• A clear criminal record and no pending criminal cases, awaiting trial and/or pending sentencing cases;
• To be drug free: all shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo compulsory drug testing; and
• A valid Level 2 first aid certificate or you will be required to obtain one within 6 months of appointment 

The following would be advantageous:

• A valid Code A motorcycle licence or Code EB driver's licence.

Municipal Pool Lifeguard:

To apply you will need:

• A Grade 10 certificate or 12 months relevant lifesaving experience;
• The ability to meet the requirements according to the standard as per Lifesaving South Africa's certificate;
• To be physically fit;
• A clear criminal record and no pending criminal cases, awaiting trial and/or pending sentencing cases;
• To be drug free: all shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo compulsory drug testing; and
• Good communication and conflict handling skills, as well as the ability to uphold the image of the City at all times.

The following would be advantageous:

• A valid lifeguard certificate.

Seasonal Senior Beach Lifeguard:

To apply for this position, you need to have at least one of the following:

• A Grade 12 certificate with a minimum of two years' of professional surf lifeguard experience; or
• A qualification equivalent to a Grade 12 with a minimum of two years' professional experience; or
• A minimum of 10 years lifesaving experience while in possession of a Lifeguard Award with valid annual retests; or
• Experience as a lifesaving club Squad Leader for five years or more, while in possession of a Lifeguard Award with valid annual retests

In addition, you need:

• A valid advanced First Aid Level 3 Certificate or equivalent;
• A minimum of two years professional Surf Lifeguard experience;
• A valid surf lifeguard award, rescue swimmer award or equivalent with current annual retest;
• A willingness to attend occupational health and safety training;
• A valid, appropriate law enforcement qualification (Peace Officer) or willingness to attend relevant training;
• A clear criminal record and no pending criminal cases, awaiting trial and/or pending sentencing cases;
• To be drug free: all shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo compulsory drug testing; and
• A valid Code EB vehicle driver's licence
  
  
  The following would be advantageous:

• Supervisory Skills Training Course certificate or equivalent;
• Surf Proficiency Award (SPA) instructor's certificate or equivalent;
• Valid Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) driver's certificate;
• Valid skipper's licence;
• Valid professional driver permit.

Senior Municipal Pool Lifeguard:

To apply, you need:

• A Grade 10 certificate;

• The ability to meet the requirements according to the qualifying standard as per Lifesaving South Africa; 
• At least 24 months (four seasons) relevant experience; 
• To be physically fit;
• A clear criminal record and no pending criminal cases, awaiting trial and/or pending sentencing cases;
• To be drug free: all shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo compulsory drug testing; and
• Good communication and conflict handling skills, as well the ability to uphold the image of the City at all times

The following would be advantageous:

• A valid lifeguard certificate;
• Proven supervisory experience

'Each year our lifeguards do a phenomenal job keeping bathers safe and going the extra mile when longer work hours are required. They do more than just monitor activity in the water, but are also there to save lives and ensure everyone obeys the rules. Being a lifeguard takes strength and courage, and I want to encourage applications for these positions,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. 

Lifeguards will be placed at 24 beaches, seven tidal pools and 35 municipal swimming pools.  

Applications close on Wednesday, 12 August 2020. 

Only electronic copies of completed application forms will be accepted to ensure the safety of the applicant and staff. 

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office