No two days are alike in the pool and spa industry. In the Day in the Life series, we dive headfirst into the workdays of the people who keep the pools running smoothly.

In this edition, we look at how Jennifer Kammonen juggles her duties. As a certified pool operator and pool technician with Eco Natural Aquatics, Jennifer spends eight to 10 hours a day outdoors, maintaining pools, troubleshooting equipment, and balancing water chemistry. It is hands-on work that requires technical knowledge, careful judgment, and the confidence to handle whatever the day brings.

A day built around maintenance

Pool maintenance makes up the bulk of her typical week. Her days are spent moving from property to property, checking water, inspecting equipment, and making adjustments that can determine whether a pool is operating at peak performance.

The Spin Touch water test machine has become an essential part of her daily routine. A traditional drop kit travels with her as a backup. The rest of her toolkit is just as important: poles, nets, and vacuum heads all need to be ready for use. Equipment that is not in good working order can quickly turn a routine service call into a problem.

And there are plenty of potential problems. Unplanned repairs, equipment failures, and a lack of access to a property or pool can derail her plans.

‘The pool is green’

Some service calls are more memorable than others.

Jennifer has received the classic urgent request: the pool is green, but a party is coming up on the weekend.

Then there are the calls that require a little more investigation.

One customer reported that there is no water in the pump, even though the pump is fully primed and water is, in fact, present.

These situations highlight a reality of pool service: the technician often must translate what a homeowner sees or believes is happening into what is actually happening within the system.

That takes experience—and confidence.

The payoff: A sparkling pool

She says the most satisfying part of the day is when everything comes together. The chemistry is perfect. There are no filtration problems. The equipment is working properly. The water is clear and sparkling. It is also gratifying when customers are happy with the service.

For a maintenance professional, those moments can be the clearest indication that all the testing, adjusting, cleaning, inspecting, and troubleshooting have made a difference.

Learning from others

The biggest change Jennifer sees in her work compared with five years ago is not a particular piece of equipment or technology. It is herself. “My confidence, most importantly,” she says.

That confidence has changed her ability to plan, perform, multitask, and prepare for the unexpected. It has also helped her become more comfortable with the reality that no two service calls—or pools—are necessarily the same.

For someone starting out in the industry, her advice is straightforward: build that confidence early, but don’t think you have all the answers.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she says. “Ask for help from colleagues who are experienced.”

She also encourages newcomers to get comfortable with the physical nature of the work.

“Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty or wet,” she adds.

It is advice that captures the trade itself. Pool service is technical work, but it is also practical, physical, and unpredictable.

For Jennifer, that means starting each day with the knowledge that her work matters. “Start the day knowing that what you do makes a difference and makes pool owners happy,” she says.

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