Parks & Rec Lifeguard Screening and Skills Building (Center City Location)

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hires hundreds of lifeguards each summer. The starting salary for all Parks & Rec lifeguards is $16.85 per hour. Lifeguards typically work 35 hours per week from June through August.

Book your spot to start training to be a lifeguard with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation!

You must be 15 years or older to attend a lifeguard screening at one of our indoor training pools. You must be 16 years or older to work as a lifeguard for the City of Philadelphia.

Lifeguard Screening

You must be able to complete the following skills to pass the screening:

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

• Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.)
• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.)
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Once you have passed the screening you will be contacted to begin a Lifeguard Certification Class.

Lifeguard Skills Practice

Register for time with our Water Safety Instructors to practice the skills needed to pass the screening test. This is optional and not required to advance in the lifeguard certification process.

Skills practice is free of charge.

Lifeguard Certification Class

Classes are conducted on a rolling basis. After successfully completing your screening we will contact you about the next Lifeguard Certification Class.

Lifeguards ages 16–24 who commit to and work at a Parks & Rec pool:

• Certification: FREE.
• Recertification: FREE.

Lifeguards ages 25+ who commit to and work at a Parks & Rec pool:

• Certification: $110.
• Recertification: $65.

Pool Entrance Directions

The entrance to Friends Select's courtyard and building is on the north side of 16th St between Cherry and Race. Coming up 16th St, you will pass a gated driveway on your left which is immediately followed by a pedestrian entrance to the courtyard. Participants will enter the building and make there way to the pool in the basement. Signs will be posted in the building to follow to the pool area.

Reminders

Bring a bathing suit and towel. You may also wear swim goggles.

***If you register for a session and cannot attend, please cancel your registration. This will allow others to use the limited time slots. To cancel your registration, use the registration link.

Screenings and trainings are free of charge. Sign up in advance to secure your spot! Book your spot to start training to be a lifeguard with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation!

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