PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell announced today that the department will begin its lifeguard training and recruitment process this week. Interested applicants can begin training as early as tomorrow with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. The lifeguard position pays a competitive wage of $14.74 to $16.97 an hour.

Parks & Rec hires hundreds of lifeguards annually to work at City pools. A detailed list of requirements can be found at www.phila.gov/lifeguards. The first step for interested candidates is to brush up on swimming skills, and prepare for the lifeguard screening.

Getting certified is free for applicants ages 16-24 who commit to working at a City pool. The Red Cross lifeguard certification fee is $110 for all other candidates.

“After this past year of limited recreation and no pool season, we know Philadelphians are ready for the safe return of traditional summer fun,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “Parks & Rec lifeguards are the foundation of the summer fun we provide in every neighborhood of this City. From retirees and school teachers to teens and young adults, lifeguards help make summer a little brighter for Philly kids.”

Lifeguard training and certification will take place at:

Samuel Recreation Center
3539 Gaul Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Hours: Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Opening Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Register here: https://samuelslifeguardscreening.eventbrite.com

St. Joseph’s Preparatory School
1733 W Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Opening the week of March 29, 2021

Candidates can start the process by registering for a mandatory lifeguard screening or skill building class. All participants must register in advance. Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, space is limited.

Editors: please link here for residents to learn more about becoming a City lifeguard: https://www.phila.gov/2021-03-12-the-heat-is-on-lifeguard-training-resumes-at-parks-rec/.

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