Post Title: Lifeguard/Duty Assistant (Unqualified to Duty Team Leader)
SBU/Department: Hertfordshire Sports Village
FTE: 1.0 FTE (working 37.5 hours per week) / part-time opportunity also available
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Annual Leave: 23 days plus standard public holidays (increases with length of service)
Location: De Havilland Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Sports Village is looking for motivated individuals to join our Operations Team as Duty Assistants/Lifeguards with a clear development pathway to progress to Senior Duty Assistant to Duty Team Leader and beyond. Whether you’re newly qualified, looking to take the next step, or already bring substantial leisure experience, we’d love to hear from you. For the right candidate, we offer the opportunity to start directly at Senior or Duty Team Leader level.
Successful candidates will join our dedicated team to prepare for and deliver bookings and events in our swimming pool, indoor/multi-use areas and outdoor facilities working as part of both the lifeguard team and duty manager team, being responsible for and leading shifts.
Why Join HSV?
Proudly named one of Leisure & Hospitality’s 20 Best Companies to Work For, we’re committed to developing our people, living our WELCOMES values and creating a space where everyone thrives. At Hertfordshire Sports Village, we pride ourselves on delivering a first-class experience to every customer. You will be part of a friendly, supportive, and high-performing team that embraces our WELCOMES values, making HSV a great place to work and grow.
You’ll receive:
- Full training and development support
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications (including NPLQ if needed)
- A structured progression pathway
- Access to excellent staff benefits including free facility use, discounted membership for a nominated person, UH staff perks and more
Your Development Pathway
We are serious about progression. You will be supported through:
- Structured training
- Regular 1:1s and appraisals
- Opportunities to gain new qualifications
- A clear route to Senior and Duty Team Leader roles as your experience grows
Staff Benefits
- Free Gym membership (+ discounted membership to a friend/family member)
- 1 hour of on shift exercise ‘Healthy Hour’
- Annual performance related bonus
- Unrivalled training and development opportunities
- Access to University and Associated College courses
- UNiDays, TOTUM and Galleria discount cards
- Discounted travel on UNO buses
- And much more . . .
Main duties and responsibilities
As part of our lifeguard and duty operations team, you’ll supervise poolside activity, perform water tests and ensure safe operation and deliver excellent customer service and create a welcoming environment. You will prepare and support events from national competitions to community sessions and maintain high standards of cleanliness and operational readiness. You will work closely with Duty Managers to ensure smooth daily operations. You will lead and support shifts (Senior/Leader levels)
Skills and experience required
You will have previous experience working within a customer facing role. You will have the ability to build effective working relationships and be a team player. You will have the ability to deliver exceptional customer service. You will have the ability to work flexible and unsociable hours.
Qualifications required
You will hold a Current and up to date NPLQ or the ability to achieve in the first 3-6 months (internal training provided)
You will be educated with a minimum of GCSE or equivalent qualifications including Maths and English Grade D/3 or above.
For Senior/Team Leader posts:
Appointments considered at Senior & Team Leader level will be dependent on significant and demonstrable skills and experience which align with the desirable criteria accompanied by the additional accountabilities and responsibilities stated. There will be the ability to move up through the salary grades as knowledge and experience grows within the role and agreed set criteria met.
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE
This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the ‘Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information’.
Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad
Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries.
Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.
Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.
As an alternative we also accept CV’s accompanied with a personal statement demonstrating your suitability for the role in reference to the person specification. These can be anonymised in line with our online process.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: For an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact Matt Coleman email: m.coleman5@herts.ac.uk
Closing Date: 22 November 2026
Interview Date: 08 December 2026
Reference Number: REQ000920
Date advert placed: 04 November 2026
Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts
