Operations Assistants (Lifeguard Services): Poole - Temporary

Join the RNLI Lifeguard team and help save lives at sea as we mark a quarter of a century of RNLI Lifeguarding in 2026!

Grown from a few patrols piloted in 2001, to working across 250 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands today, saving more than 2000 lives since the service began, and keeping people safe by providing safety advice on the shore, in schools and online.

Join a team of likeminded people, do work that truly matters and help keep our lifeguard service running smoothly behind the scenes. Be part of something bigger, join us in 2026 as we celebrate 25 years of RNLI Lifeguards.

About Us:

For 200 years, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been dedicated to saving lives at sea. We are committed to ensuring the safety of beachgoers and providing a vital lifeline for those who find themselves in danger of drowning.

About the Role:

RNLI Lifeguards are recruiting for Lifeguard Operations Assistants to provide operational and administrative support within our Lifeguard Operations Centre (control room) to enable the efficient support and coordination of the local lifeguard service.

The Lifeguard Operations Centre is a highly dynamic environment that sees spells of both high and low operational pressure. This role requires an individual comfortable in high pressure situations, while remaining self-motivated with other tasks outside these times. You will be acting as a link between our frontline lifeguard teams and external agencies such as the local authority and emergency services using telephone, emails and primarily VHF radio’s. You will support the Lifeguard Supervisor Team with the co-ordination of a professional lifeguard service and be responsible for core routine tasks that enable and support the lifeguard service to function. Your duties will be extremely varied to include tasks such as rostering support, responding to correspondence, logging incident and defect reports and undertaking other general office duties.

About You:

You’ll be organised, proactive, and great at multitasking. You enjoy working as part of a team, are confident using IT systems, and have excellent communication skills. You’ll take pride in supporting others and keeping operations running efficiently, knowing that what you do behind the scenes directly supports lifesaving work on the beach.

The role may involve occasional travel within the UK and Northern Ireland for training, and at times may require working independently. For safeguarding reasons, opportunities for under-18s are limited.

The duration of this post will be area specific but is likely to run from May through to September 2026. Weekly hours are as specified above, the allocation of which will be discussed with the successful applicant before the commencement of the contract.

If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, contribute to a lifesaving mission, and gain valuable experience in a fast-paced, purposeful environment, apply today.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.