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.
Are you a first-time candidate seeking your lifeguard certification? Join our team this season. Through the City of Tampa Rookie School, you will learn what it takes to become an American Red Cross Lifeguard. If you attend and successfully pass one of our Rookie Schools, you will advance into a Lifeguard Training at a discounted rate of $45.
- No pre-registration or certification needed
- Be ready to swim
- What to bring: swimsuit, towel, drinking water, and goggles (optional)
- View the Rookie School schedule .
If you did not attend a Rookie School, the City of Tampa offers regular lifeguard trainings throughout the year. The training fee is $100.
Before undergoing formal lifeguard training, candidates must pass a pretest that includes the following exercises (updated at the end of 2024):
Prerequisite 1: Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence (150 + 50 yards)
- Jump into the water from the side, submerge completely, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards.
- After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support by treading for 2 minutes (legs only).
- After maintaining position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards.
Prerequisite 2: Timed Event
- 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.
To schedule a pretest, please contact Louis Campanello at (813) 274-5161.
American Red Cross lifeguard classes are designed to teach you not only the basics in water safety but also the proper protocol when dealing with 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.
The course length for blended learning, which combines in-person and virtual, is about 28 hours. The course length is 21 hours and 30 minutes in-person and about 6 hours online. All offered courses are blended learning.
Rookie School Candidates: Summer Work Commitment
- Candidates who have passed rookie school and commit to working for the City of Tampa during the summer season pay a discounted rate of $45 for the lifeguard class.
For external candidates not working for the city of Tampa, the lifeguard trainings have a $100 class fee. You must schedule your pre-tests ahead of the Lifeguard Course and complete blended learning sections prior to the start of the first-class session.
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.