Senior Recreation Officer

Senior Recreation Officer

Job description

About Active Lifestyles Stroud

Active Lifestyles Stroud is one of Gloucestershire's leading leisure facilities, situated in the heart of Stratford Park. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated and customer-focused Senior Recreation Officer (Swimming Teacher/Lifeguard) to join our team.

This is an exciting opportunity to help people of all ages develop confidence in the water whilst playing a key role in creating a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for our customers. Whether you already hold the required qualifications or are looking for an opportunity to gain them whilst developing your career within the leisure industry, we would love to hear from you.

Job summary

If you enjoy working with people, helping others achieve their goals and being part of a supportive team, we want to hear from you.

This varied role combines swimming teaching, lifeguarding and operational duties across the centre. You will deliver high-quality swimming lessons as part of our Learn to Swim Programme, support swimmer progression and retention, and ensure the safety of customers through effective lifeguarding and pool supervision.

As part of our wider operations team, you will also help maintain high standards throughout the facility, support a range of programmed activities and contribute to delivering an excellent customer experience.

This role focuses primarily on swimming teaching, lifeguarding and supporting the day-to-day operation of the centre.

The centre is open 7 days a week from 6.00am to 10.00pm. Applicants must be prepared to work a set working pattern that includes evenings and weekends, with flexibility to support operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering swimming lessons in line with the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework
• Monitoring participant progress and maintaining lesson records
• Supporting swimmer development, progression and retention within the programme
• Providing lifeguard cover throughout allocated shifts
• Ensuring the safety of all pool users and responding appropriately to emergency situations
• Carrying out poolside checks and reporting hazards or maintenance issues
• Setting up, dismantling and storing swimming and sports equipment
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, presentation and safety throughout the facility
• Delivering excellent customer service and creating a welcoming environment for all customers
• Responding professionally to customer enquiries and feedback
• Promoting Active Lifestyles activities, memberships and services
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to support the safe and effective operation of the centre

Full training will be provided to the successful candidate.

Ongoing development

We are committed to investing in your ongoing training and development and will provide opportunities to build your skills and gain experience across the leisure industry. Support will be available for the successful candidate to gain and maintain industry-recognised qualifications where required.

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sam Greenland, Senior Duty Manager, at sam.greenland@stroud.gov.uk

CLOSING DATE: 2nd December 2026

INTERVIEW DATE: 9th December 2026

In exchange for your expertise, experience and enthusiasm we provide a range of staff benefits. Please click here for more information: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/benefits-of-working-for-us

A local government reorganisation is planned for Gloucestershire, which may result in changes to structures and services. Potential changes are provisionally timetabled for April 2028. We are committed to supporting all employees through this transition and ensuring continuity of employment wherever possible. Joining us now means you’ll be part of shaping an exciting new chapter for local government.

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates and value the diverse lived experiences they bring.

We recognise the wide range of cognitive strengths that contribute to delivering high-quality services.

We are committed to ensuring that every applicant can participate fully and fairly in our recruitment process. To support this, we offer workplace adjustments at every stage. Please let us know if you have any additional requirements as we are here to help create a positive, inclusive, and equitable experience for all.

Please be advised that the Council is unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an existing right to work in the UK.

Responsible recruitment practices for safeguarding are in place within the Council’s HR policies and processes. This is part of our commitment as a Council to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people, and children.

Stroud District has an energy unlike any other place. It’s green and dynamic, climate conscious and motivated, creative and collaborative, and unapologetically ambitious. To find out more about what makes our place, our people and our businesses so special, please follow the link to our dedicated website: Stroud District – The Natural Place

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