Recreation Assistant

Why Southwark?

Are you passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences? Are you ready to shape the future of leisure services and make a real difference in your community?

Southwark Council is offering an exciting opportunity to be part of our brand-new leisure centre, empowering residents to lead healthier, happier lives. We’re looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Recreation Assistant to assist in supporting customers in our Leisure Centres.

About Southwark

We are passionate about delivering the best customer service and getting our community active. Every team member plays their part, working within a diverse and dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Benefits and more information:

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We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

What You'll Be Doing

About the role

Recreation Assistants have one of the most important jobs at our leisure centre, and that is keeping our customers safe in and around the water.

At our Leisure Centre, Recreation Assistants will perform a number of other duties in addition to lifeguarding, such as cleaning assigned areas, setting up and breaking down various activities and events and conducting pool testing according to procedures. You will work a 36-hour week across varying rotated pattern of shifts, which will require some evening and weekend work.

• To supervise pool users in accordance with regulatory standards and Southwark Leisure’s Policies, Procedures and Work Instructions (Wet sites only).
• To work as part of a team to ensure all facilities are presented to the highest levels of cleanliness and provide a warm friendly & professional standard of customer care.
• To assist the Duty Manager with the daily activities programme, cleanliness, pool supervision, and setting up equipment.
• To assist the Duty Manager on the effective control & security of the facility, patrolling all appropriate areas and ensuring equipment is stored safely & securely.
• Ensure daily operational checklists are completed and standards are achieved as described in the Quality Management System.

What We're Looking For

About You

•  A UK recognised pool lifeguard qualification (RLSS)

•  Understanding of relevant health and safety legislation

•  Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to appropriately correct behaviour of pool users where necessary.

•  A high standard of physical fitness

• Confidence and an approachable nature

Additional Information

Closing Date: 21/06/2026

Interview Date: 24/06/2025

Please note that the closing date for applications for this position may be brought forward, depending on the volume of applications received. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out on the opportunity. We will not be able to consider applications received after the new closing date, should it be adjusted.

Additional Information

• Job Type: Permanent, Casual hours available up to 36 hours a week.

• Some weekends and evening work will be required to meet service needs.

• Southwark Council is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS check at (Enhanced) level.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans

• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care

• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition