Pool plant operative
Also known as; Pool plant operator
The role of a pool plant operative is to manage the pool plant and surrounding amenities. Ensuring a safe working environment is regularly maintained and all legal requirements are adhered to.
What does a Pool plant operative do?
Pool plant operatives are responsible for the maintenance, operation and management of swimming pool facilities, ensuring that all mechanical, chemical and safety systems are functioning correctly. This role is vital in ensuring the health and safety standards of public and private swimming pools, and pool plant operatives work wherever a swimming pool is present.
Key responsibilities of pool plant operatives include:
Water quality management
- regularly testing and monitoring pool water for chemical balance, including pH, chlorine and other disinfectant levels
- adjusting chemical dosages to maintain safe and hygienic conditions
- conducting routine checks for bacterial contamination and other potential hazards
- mechanical maintenance
- inspecting and maintaining pool plant equipment such as pumps, filters, heating systems and dosing units
- performing routine maintenance tasks and minor repairs to ensure that equipment runs efficiently
- coordinating with external contractors for major repairs and servicing
Health and safety compliance
- ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations
- keeping accurate records of maintenance activities, chemical usage and water quality tests
- implementing and monitoring safety procedures to prevent accidents and injuries
Customer service
- addressing customer complaints and enquiries related to pool conditions
- providing support and guidance to lifeguards and other pool staff on technical issues
- ensuring a high standard of cleanliness and general upkeep of the pool area and surrounding facilities.
Skills and behaviours
The following common or transferable skills are most frequently asked for by employers in pool plant operative job adverts across the UK:
| Skills and behaviours | % Prevalence in job ads |
|---|---|
| Communication | 35% |
| Management | 25% |
| Customer Service | 25% |
| Enthusiasm | 25% |
| Self development | 20% |
| Organizational Skills | 20% |
| Willingness to learn | 20% |
| Advocacy | 20% |
| Planning | 20% |
| Cleanliness | 20% |
To find out more about the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours an individual must understand and demonstrate to become a pool plant operative, you can visit our occupational professional standards library.
How to become a Pool plant operative
It is common for people who are already working in leisure operation job roles (for example recreation assistants, lifeguards and managers) to complete a pool plant operative qualification to further their skills.
Typically, most people will qualify a pool plant operative by completing a qualification with a training provider. There are several qualifications you can choose from such as the:
- Level 3 Award in Pool Plant Operations
- Level 3 Award in Operating Small Pools
You can browse all CIMSPA-endorsed pool plant operative qualifications in our Training Directory and you can book onto a top-tier training course with one of CIMSPA’s trusted quality-assured training providers here.
Course entry requirements, delivery and cost
There are no formal entry requirements for this course, although you do have to be at least 18 years of age. This course can be delivered in an online or in-person format, and the total course cost, study time and guided learning hours will vary depending on the delivery format, qualification and training provider you choose.
Professional Standards
CIMSPA is the guardian of a single professional and apprenticeship standards framework for the sport and physical activity sector – outlining the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours an individual must understand and demonstrate for every occupation and job role in the sector.
This standards framework is driving the development of quality education products for our workforce and supporting employers in assessing which job roles an individual is qualified for.
Pool plant operative Courses and qualifications
STA Level 3 Award in Pool Plant Operations (603/2579/3)
STA Level 3 Award in Pool Plant Operations (603/2579/3)
What's the best role for you?
Career paths and progression
Career pathways
Side Steps
Next Steps
Career progression
As well as exploring new career pathways, as a pool plant operative, you can also choose to progress your career by completing further training or continued professional development (CPD) in your role.
Continuing Professional Development
STA Level 3 Award in Pool Plant Operations (603/2579/3)
STA Level 3 Award in Pool Plant Operations (603/2579/3)
Find a job as a Pool plant operative
The content of the job posts displayed on the CIMSPA jobs board are pulled in through feeds from websites which are not under the control of CIMSPA.
CIMSPA will not be liable for any false, inaccurate, inappropriate or incomplete information presented on the jobs board.