Costa Mesa seeks summer lifeguards; starting pay $20 an hour

A staff member at the Downtown Aquatic Center said the City of Costa Mesa is actively recruiting instructor lifeguards for summer programs and classes, with a starting pay of $20 an hour and a minimum age requirement of about 15 or 16.

The hiring push matters because lifeguards supervise swimmers, teach water‑safety skills and run instructional programs that city staff say help reduce drownings and keep families safe. The aquatic staff emphasized partnerships with local organizations to reach underserved neighborhoods and the variety of programming lifeguards support.

The staff member described the instructor lifeguard role as focused on "supervision of patrons in and around the facility in the water, as well as enforcing of pool rules and regulations." They added, "If you're a high school kid or a college kid looking to get some hours in and to get some spending cash, $20 an hour is our starting rate when you come in with opportunity to increase that rate over the years." The staff member also shared their own experience, saying they started as a lifeguard at 16 in 2016 and "I've been there for almost a decade now, and couldn't ask for anything more."

Applicants are directed to apply through governmentjobs.com, or to call the Downtown Aquatic Center at (714) 327-7564 for more information. The staff member said candidates must complete a physical fitness test demonstrating skills required for rescues and saves before the interview process. The center runs swim lessons in spring through fall, lap swim for adults year‑round, a summer open swim program for families, and community events such as a summer luau and the "Safe Splash Pass" water‑safety education events.

The staff member noted partnerships with the Jasper Ray Foundation and the Newport Mesa Unified School District to expand outreach to underserved parts of Costa Mesa. They framed the roles as opportunities to "give back to the people around you" while gaining work experience. Those interested in applying were told to visit the city employment page or governmentjobs.com.

For now, the center is recruiting for multiple seasonal and instructor roles; the staff member did not specify the number of openings, application deadlines or the exact schedule for raises. Prospective applicants should use the listed application channels for the most current details.