Lead Lifeguard | West Wave

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An Auckland Council fixed-term full-time Lead Lifeguard role at West Wave in Henderson, ending 29 May 2026, combines day-to-day leadership with coaching to deliver outstanding community experiences. You’ll lead shifts, mentor the team, deliver high quality programmes, support recruitment and training, and respond to incidents and emergencies. Two shift patterns apply Early Lead (Tue to Sat mornings) and Late Lead (Sun to Thu evenings). The ideal candidate has at least two years in a relevant field, strong communication and relationship-building skills, cultural competence including Te Ao Māori, and mandatory qualifications such as PLPC and a water treatment qualification. Expect about $30 per hour, KiwiSaver, flexible benefits, and police vetting. To apply, tailor your CV to show leadership, incident management, and customer service excellence and submit by 9 February 2026, with reference to the position description linked in the posting.

• Fixed term full-time opportunity (Ending 29th May 2026)
• Lead, coach, and inspire teams delivering outstanding community experiences
• Work in a vibrant, people-focused environment at West Wave, Henderson

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Pools and Leisure Department has an opportunity for a Lead within the Pools and Leisure team, based at West Wave in Henderson.
As a functional expert, you’ll support the Team Leader by providing day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and technical expertise. You’ll play a key role in ensuring programmes, services, and customer experiences are delivered to an exceptional standard, while fostering a fun, inclusive, and welcoming environment for both customers and staff.

Day-to-day you could expect to work on:

•  Leading shifts, programmes, or activities and acting as the first escalation point for customer issues
• Coaching, mentoring, and supporting team members
• Delivering high-quality programmes, services, or lessons in your specialist area
• Supporting recruitment, induction, and training of new team members
• Responding to incidents and emergencies, including First Aid situations

Please note, we have two shift patterns:

Early Lead Shift:

• Tuesday 5:05am – 1:35pm
• Wednesday 5:05am – 1:35pm
• Thursday 5:05am – 1:35pm
• Friday 5:05am – 1:35pm
• Saturday 5:30am - 2:00pm 
•  

Late Lead Shift:

• Sunday 11:00am – 7:30p
• Monday 1:30pm – 10:00pm
• Tuesday 1:30pm – 10:00pm
• Wednesday 1:30pm – 10:00pm
• Thursday 1:30pm – 10:00pm

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires experience in similar sport, recreation, aquatics, or customer-focused roles, with a strong understanding of customer service and team leadership in a community setting.

• We will be looking for specific experience with:
• Providing day-to-day leadership or supervision
• Delivering programmes or services in a pools, leisure, or recreation environment
• Coaching, mentoring, or training others
• Managing customer issues in a calm and professional manner

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires experience in the sport, recreation, aquatics, or customer service space, ideally within a large, complex, or community-focused organisation.

We are looking for someone with:

• At least 2 years’ experience in a relevant functional area
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Cultural competence and a willingness to engage with Te Ao Māori and tikanga
• Confidence using technology and digital tools
• Mandatory role-specific qualifications (e.g. First Aid, PLPC, AUSTSWIM, or relevant sector qualification – training supported by Auckland Council)

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.
 
We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible. You’ll have access to a range of fantastic Auckland Council benefits, EAP services, an Oranga Day and discounted Leisure Centre membership and a range of other partnership discounts!

View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits here: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HCrGnm_Fy1RMrhSkvVZaf3GPtZDk3BLd/view?usp=sharing

We are a diverse organisation – we value diversity in our thinking, and we can only achieve that with a diverse team!

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement listed. What matters most is your ability to contribute to a purpose-driven environment where diverse experiences are valued. We know that transferable skills can come from experience gained from outside of work.

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini - My success is not mine alone, but the success of many.

Tono Mai: Apply Now!

You can find the position description here

Applications close: Monday 9th February 2026
Pay rate: $30 per hour (Our employer KiwiSaver contribution is in addition to the base salary offered.)

Please note: 

• Safety Sensitive: This role is deemed safety sensitive and, in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre-employment drug & alcohol testing.
• Police Vetting: Auckland Council is committed to the protection and wellbeing of children.  This role is classified as a Children's Worker role under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. As such applicants will be required to undergo police vetting prior to commencing employment. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory police check.
• Qualifications checks: These are mentioned as required in the PD – is this correct? “For Aquatics:
• Pool Lifeguard Practicing Certificate (PLPC) is required.
• New Zealand recognised water treatment qualification is required.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Council terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Council terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Council terms and conditions.

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