Lifeguard Jobs
- Candidates must be at least 15 years old.
- Candidates must pass a swimming skills pretest before they undergo formal lifeguard training. The City of Tampa offers lifeguard training throughout the year and is currently offering Rookie School at a discounted rate.
- Successful completion of the lifeguard training includes a 2-year American Red Cross lifeguard certification and First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
Lifeguards play a critical role in ensuring the safety of all those enjoying Tampa Parks and Recreation's pools. They assume a great responsibility and serve as first responders when an emergency arises in or around the pool. Aside from the training they must complete, lifeguards must possess other characteristics to be successful. Those who are passionate, energetic, and understand the value of professionalism are the candidates we look to hire.
Lifeguards can work anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a week, depending on their preference, with schedule flexibility an added benefit. Pay is $15 an hour.
Before undergoing formal lifeguard training, candidates must pass a pretest that includes the following exercises:
- A 300-yard continuous swim using breaststroke or front crawl with rhythmic breathing.
- A 20-yard swim where the candidate must retrieve a 10-pound object from the bottom of the deep end of the pool, return it to the starting point, and exit the pool within 1 minute and 40 seconds.
- Tread water using legs for two minutes.
To schedule a pretest, please contact Louis Campanello at (813) 274-5161.
The City of Tampa now offers Rookie School for first-time candidates seeking their lifeguard certification. Normally, lifeguard trainings have a $100 class fee. The Rookie School offers the same training for a discounted rate of $45. Pre-registration is not required to attend a Rookie School, and candidates do not need any prior certifications to qualify.
If you did not attend a Rookie School, the City of Tampa offers regular lifeguard trainings throughout the year. The training fee is $100. View the schedule.
The course length for traditional, in-person classes is about 26 hours. Blended learning, which combines in-person and virtual, is also offered. The course length is 19 hours and 30 minutes in-person and 7 hours and 30 minutes online. Most courses are blended learning.
American Red Cross lifeguarding classes are designed to teach you not only the basics in water safety but also the proper protocol when dealing with any emergencies around water. The Red Cross blends traditional lecture style along with crucial hands-on training to teach you effective techniques to deliver prompt care to those in need.
Once lifeguard training has been completed, selected lifeguards will be notified by Tampa Parks and Recreation Aquatics Staff. Pool assignments are based on preference and availability.