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- Service and maintain swimming pools, spas and hot tubs
- You'll need practical skills, organisational skills, and report writing skills
- You could move into management or set up your own company
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Carrying out scheduled water cleaning
- Using chemicals like chlorine testing water quality and pH balance
- Cleaning out filtration units
- Servicing heating, circulation and de-humidifier systems
- Fixing lights above and below water level
- Checking and repairing corrosion, cracks and leaks in the pool walls or floors
- Making sure equipment like pool covers, diving boards and slides are in good working order
- Keeping stock records for cleaning supplies and spare parts
- Responding to water hygiene incidents
- Logging and reporting equipment faults or water quality problems to managers
- Maintaining outdoor pools
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
During peak season (March to October), you may need to work longer hours. You could also work weekends. You may be based in one place, like a sports centre, or travel around an area, carrying out contract maintenance on pools and equipment. You'll usually wear a uniform.
You'll need
For this role you'll need practical skills, organisational skills, and report writing skills. You may also need to be able to swim.
There are no set entry requirements but it may be helpful if you have experience or a qualification in heating, ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC), electrical or mechanical maintenance, water treatment.
You could start work with a pool installation company as a general labourer or plant operator, then move into the technical side after training.
To work on gas powered pool heating systems, you'll need to be a member of the Gas Safe Register.
For jobs in the public sector, like at a leisure centre or university, you'll usually need qualifications from an awarding body, like: Swimming Teachers' Association (STA), Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers (ISPE), and Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
A driving licence would also be helpful.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into management or set up your own company. With a degree in a related field like engineering or architecture, you could move into swimming pool design.