Leisure Assistant

Purbeck Sports Centre is a community leisure facility operated by Dorset Council. Our wide range of facilities include a 25m indoor swimming pool, modern gym and functional training room, all weather pitches, floodlit tennis courts, badminton and squash courts, children's softplay area a wide range of daily exercise classes and a large onsite carpark with free parking. The centre offers a welcoming and inclusive environment with a strong commitment to safety, wellbeing, and providing a high level of customer service.

We are looking for a full time, enthusiastic team player to join our dedicated leisure assistants team. This is a new role to the centre that will play a vital part in the new daytime programme of activities from April 2026.

Role Overview

As a Lifeguard you will play a key part of ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all pool users, respond in the event of emergencies and provide first aid.  You will assist with the day to day operations of the building and setting up of equipment in both the swimming pool and dryside. You will provide excellent customer service as part of Dorset Council’s commitment to high standards across all its leisure facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain constant and active supervision of the swimming pool and surrounding areas
• Respond promptly and appropriately to emergency situations
• Uphold pool rules and ensure a safe, enjoyable environment for all bathers
• Carry out routine poolside cleaning, checks, and equipment setup
• Provide friendly, professional support to customers at all times
• Assist with the smooth running of all swimming sessions

• Hold an in date National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)
• Attend monthly lifeguard training sessions
• Strong swimming ability and high level of fitness
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to stay calm and proactive in challenging situations
• Professional and reliable

• First Aid at Work certificate
• Experience in a leisure or customer service environment
• Additional leisure qualifications (e.g., Swim Teaching, Fitness Instruction)

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.