lifeguard

superviseur

maître nageur sauveteur

pool attendant

évaluateur de l'expérience client

H2O Lifeguard and Recreation Management

I've worked with H2O for some time now, and I've really enjoyed it right from the start.

I was hired as a Head Lifeguard for one of their outdoor pools. I will fill out this review for that position.

 The location of my facility was excellent. Working outside for the summer was a good choice, it led to learning how to work around weather conditions, as well as giving me the chance to enjoy some sunlight.

In a typical day as a Head Lifeguard, I:
- Developed task lists
- Organized lifeguard rotations
- Maintained the pool filtration system
- Monitored the pool chemical levels
- Greeted clients and enforced Pool Access Control rules
- Ran some group games for the children at the facility
- Practiced basic lifeguarding skills with the other guards
- Cleaned and maintained the facility

I learned a lot about how to be an effective leader, more than anything else. I also learned (through trial and error with task delegation) that people work better together when they enjoy what they're doing. 

The management team functions in a very effective and unique manner. The Supervisors are in charge of multiple sites, which is excellent for gaining leadership and communication skills as a Head Guard or Lifeguard. 

I've always been lucky to have good co-workers at H2O. We occasionally butted heads, but generally had no issues sorting out whatever had caused the debate.

The hardest part of this job, for me, was the work-life balance. I took on lots of extra work and shifts, which tilted the balance quite far in one direction. Another difficult part was finding enough work to keep ourselves entertained when it poured rain and the facility was closed for thunder or lightning. 

The best part of the job was being able to work outside, with good people, while developing strong leadership skills that will prove extremely useful in the future.

I have worked for H2O for a number of years now, and my experience has been great! H2O is an ideal place to work as a student because they offer flexible work hours in multiple locations, as well as a competitive salary (in comparison with other life guarding jobs). In only a few months, I worked my way up to a head guard, earning myself more money, and getting more experience in the aquatics field. Having the option to choose my own schedule and work around my school timetable was an extra bonus for me! All of the locations are located near the transit-way and are easily accessible. I spent some of my best summers poolside. 

If you are a hard worker and a dedicated employee, then H2O is the place for you! And do not worry, you efforts will not go unnoticed.

Working in this position demands that you give up most of your social life as you are on call 5-6 days a week, 7am -10pm. With this job you are constantly dealing with angry patrons and incompetent employees on a daily basis leading to a high stress work life.

A typical day consists of someone not showing up to work at 7am, and having property managers calling angrily. I'd have to drive out in rush hour traffic to open the site, all the while trying to find someone willing to work that shift. Most of the time people weren't found and you'd be stuck working the shift while having all sorts of managerial tasks pilling up.

When an employee makes a mistake, you are the one that ends up getting most of the blame as you are their superior, also for the most part the employees are sub-par leftover guards that are not qualified to work at the city pools.

The pools were all very inviting compared to public pools, clients are very nice and it is a very friendly environment to work at. 

Supervisors are very helpful, on-site and group trainings allowed me to learn a lot that I had not learned during my lifeguarding certifications such as basic pool maintenance, water tests, etc.

Would strongly recommend this job to anyone having their lifeguard certification. Hours are flexible and it is possible to take time off. Had an overall amazing summer.

they pay 25cents more than minimum wage!!! They never pay overtime and want people to work long hours. There is very little training offered.  They hire people without even a proper skills test, everything is done orally.  Management does not care about employees and does not back them up.  You have to pay for your own swim suit and re-certs.  The sites that are available to lifeguard are often one guard sites, and many do not even have a bathroom to use.  It is by far  the worst company to work for.

They can be very good to accommodate there employees. But they ask alot of independence from there employees and tasks finished in short amounts of time. Depending on the the site there is a diffrent lenght of tasks to be done. One center that i work at i clean everything from floor to top of the walls and another is just taking care of a pool and it's cleanliness. You are a glorified janitor and receptionist.

Some days at the pool can be long and sometimes go without breaks. Very good oppurtunity for PR. Management was okay, handled what needed to be handled and that's it. Other lifeguards are very friendly and nice to work with. Hardest part of the job was having to endure those long and slow hours at work. Enjoyable part was being able to meet other lifeguard in the Ottawa area and work at different locations.

You can work as much or as little as you want. You have a schedule for the entire season which is awesome for planning in advance. The supervisors and HR are incredibly very helpful and usually answer texts/emails pretty quickly. The only thing is that if ever you need to get a shift covered it can be a little difficult as they are often a little understaffed. Overall good company to work with.

H2O is a great job for students or anyone needing a flexible schedule! 
You are scheduled based entirely on the availability you give at the start of a session. Sessions are usually 4-5 months long, and your shifts are consistent throughout that entire time.
The lifeguarding is very relaxed. You work at condominium complex pools, so only a handful of swimmers use the pool at any given time.

I worked at H2O for a summer and it wasn't a very good experience overall. The work locations felt unsafe and the way they run their company is very unprofessional. For example, my location had only one broken umbrella for two guards which forced us to take turns burning in the sun. Will not be returning next summer.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Lifeguard 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Superviseur 10 salaries reported	$18.70 per hour
Maître nageur sauveteur 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Pool attendant 1 salary reported	$18.00 per hour
Évaluateur de l'expérience client 2 salaries reported	$17.75 per hour

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