What is a pool attendant?

A pool attendant is a hospitality worker who tends to a pool on the site of a resort, apartment complex, country club, or other private location. They handle the needs of guests around the pool, including taking drink orders, distributing towels, and answering questions, in addition to keeping the pool area clean and safe.
As a somewhat seasonal job, one might assume that it’s only students working the position. This isn’t necessarily correct – many people from all different walks of life work as attendants.

Pool attendant skills

While being a pool attendant is not the most strenuous job, it does require some physical strength and endurance. Pool attendants will often be expected to be able to lift and assemble furniture, in addition to carrying towels and trash cans. Further, some locations may expect pool attendants to be able to help servers or take drink orders themselves, and they can occasionally be asked to assist lifeguards.

Attendants also may be expected to clean the pools, which can require movement which may be difficult for some people. People with severe physical conditions who would find this kind of work difficult, painful, or excessively tiring would not be a good fit for being a pool attendant, as the job could potentially be a hazard to their health.

Additionally, the job requires that attendants are able to be on their feet for all or much of the day in hot, humid weather. Though some people thrive in these conditions and enjoy the summer time, some people may be prone to fainting or heat stroke.

Being a pool attendant also requires excellent customer service skills. Many clubs and resorts expect attendants to double as servers and act as generally friendly, public-facing staff to which guests can address questions and concerns. While the amount of guest interaction can depend on the day and location, this may not be a good job for those who strongly dislike customer service jobs.

Who can be a pool attendant?

Anyone with physical ability, good hospitality skills, and summers off would be a great fit for any pool attendant position. Pool attendant is a popular job for older licensed high schoolers in the summertime, and it can be great for young people who may be interested in working at a pool who don’t have life saving certifications. Because they will be out of school for the season, this can allow them to work more hours than they would be able to work at a non-seasonal job. Some pools require that attendants have a high school diploma or GED, but some smaller, local pools will allow minors to work. Similarly, many college students elect to work as pool attendants in order to earn a little extra money over the summer.

However, this isn’t just a job for the young – some retired folks in good shape find working as an attendant fun! It can be a great way to spend the day in a relaxing environment and earn just a little extra cash. While the hourly wage for pool attendants may not be exceptionally high, many attendants make money from tips, which can boost daily earnings into more solid territory.

Simply put, pool attendant is a job that can be done by anyone, so long as they are physically able and willing to put in the legwork. The job can be very fun and rewarding – you can garner tips and gratitude from guests with your excellent skills, have fun with coworkers, and feel accomplished in your daily tasks of keeping the pool clean.

Looking to hire a pool attendant?

Interested in hiring a pool attendant to care for your property’s pool? Look no further. We offer exceptional attendant service across the Charleston area to many HOAs, apartment complexes, and clubs. Contact us today!