Phila Parks & Rec Lifeguard Screening & Swim Skills Training (Northeast)

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hires hundreds of lifeguards each summer. The starting salary for all Parks & Rec lifeguards is $16 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:

• Swim 300 yards non-stop. (12 laps of freestyle or breaststroke). This is not a timed swim, but you must continuously swim the 12 lengths and not stop or you will need to start over.

• Tread water for two minutes using only your legs without your hands.

• Retrieve a 10-pound brick from a deep well. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the brick, using only your legs. The brick must be held out of the water with both hands. You must complete this task within one minute and 40 seconds.

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

Lincoln's pool building is the small building at the corner of Rowland Ave and Vista Street. Participants can park in the small lot and enter the building through the doors on the far right.

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!

Host or Publisher Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Aquatics