ABOUT THIS POSITION The City is offering a $1,000 hiring incentive for Swim Instructors, $750 for Lifeguards and Shallow Water Lifeguards which will be paid in accordance with A.R. 2.55. To receive the pay, you must be a certified lifeguard, work the entire summer through Labor Day weekend, and finish in good standing. Eligible certified lifeguards will receive payment at the end of the 2026 pool season.
Open during the summer months, City of Phoenix pools are a great place to learn how to swim, attend a special event, exercise, or just cool off. City of Phoenix pools offer a variety of swimming lessons, programs and activities for every age and ability level. Public pools are open six days a week and are closed on Fridays starting Memorial Day Weekend. The schedule allows pools to be opened through Labor Day, September 7, 2026.
Make a splash and earn some cash. We are recruiting for the 2026 part time summer Aquatics positions of Lifeguard, Shallow Water lifeguard and Swim Lesson Instructor. Certification classes are required for Lifeguard, Shallow Water lifeguard and Swim Lesson Instructor positions. Please see information below in the Certification section for more details on this requirement. This recruitment will be used to fill temporary part-time positions at City of Phoenix public pools.
SALARY Shallow Water Lifeguard $16.88 per hour
Lifeguard $17.72 per hour
Swim Lesson Instructor $19.54 per hour
Seasonal part-time employees will work up to 40 hours during the summer and are not eligible for the full package of benefits.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Lifeguards:- Must be 15 years old to receive your lifeguard certification. Duties include preventing accidents through the enforcement of policies and rules and performing rescue procedures for anyone in trouble; and providing emergency care to guests in emergency situations (i.e., CPR, Rescue Breathing and/or first aid).
- Requires the following certifications: Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED by the date you take the water skills demonstration test (certification class information provided below).
Swim Lesson Instructor:- Must be 15 years old to receive your swim lesson instructor certification. Duties include instructing swim lessons, specialty classes, and water safety programs; and instructing and coaching recreational team practices, meets, and events.
- Requires the following certification: Swimming Lesson Instructor.
Both Positions:- Have the ability to move heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds over distances more than 20 feet.
- These positions are TEMPORARY summer positions spanning approximately 14 weeks. Incumbents must be available to work each weekend in May and for the entire aquatics swim season beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
- No more than eight days off may be requested during this period to be eligible for the hiring incentive.
- You may be required to work any shift, any day of the week, at any of the city's outdoor pools and facilities throughout the summer aquatic season.
- The working conditions will include heat, sun exposure, and evaporative cooling systems.
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
- The City job description can be found here.
Certification Information:
- Certification classes are required for a Lifeguard or Swim Lesson Instructor position.
- We will accept certifications from StarGuard Elite (SGE) and Starfish Aquatic Institute (SAI).
- The Parks Department will be conducting Lifeguard training classes beginning in November through March. The schedule of classes is updated frequently so please check the class list on their website:
- StarGuard classes click HERE .
- Swim Lesson Instructor classes click HERE .
- The website may also be accessed at www.phoenix.gov/parks > Register for a Class or Program > View and register online for classes and programs.
RECRUITMENT DATES Applications are now being accepted to fill seasonal positions.
On-going need to fill this role through the aquatics season. Submit application to be considered immediately. Candidates will receive separate notification via email or text messaging for interview process and must be available on the date/time scheduled.
Priority will be given to applications received by March 16, 2026.
This recruitment and any interview process as a result of this recruitment may be used by multiple hiring managers and multiple departments throughout the City to fill any related current or future vacancies; other recruitments and appropriate eligible lists may also be considered. Eligibility for this classification will end at the close of the aquatic season on September 7, 2026.
HOW TO APPLY - Apply online by completing the required information.
- Apply on-line at phoenix.gov/jobs . Only online applications are accepted for this position.
- New applicants may view job postings without registering. Click "New User" in the top right Login section. You may create a profile which includes basic information like your name, address, and phone number. All correspondence is conducted via e-mail, so this information is critical when applying. If you currently have a profile, click "Sign In" and ensure your contact information is current.
- Jobs are sorted by the date posted with the most recent job at the top of the list. You can click on the headings (Job Title, Job ID, or Date) to sort them by those criteria. Select the opportunity you are interested in by clicking on the job title.
- Click on the "Apply for Job" button in the top right corner.
- Skip adding any certifications to complete the application. All certifications will be checked and verified at time of interview or water skills test.
- The on-line application will "time out" after twenty minutes of inactivity so save frequently. Click "Save as Draft" if you are going to step away briefly or work in a different program so you do not lose your work.
- All questions are required to be answered, be sure to hit "Submit" at the end of the application.
- To verify that your application was submitted successfully follow these steps:
- Log into the City of Phoenix application program ( phoenix.gov/jobs )
- Click on "Career Tile" Applications.
- In left menu select "My Eligibility List".
- If the job title you applied for is listed and the status states "Applied", you have successfully applied.
- You will receive an invitation to the water skills exam by email within 2 weeks after applying. The email will detail the time and location of the exam and any documentation (certifications, work history, etc.) that you will need to bring. You may only attend one exam (retaking the exam is not allowed).
Picture identification must be shown at the exam.
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- If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939 . You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form .
REFERENCE Lifeguard, JC:41010, ID# 60255, 12/22/25, expires 09/01/26, MR, Benefits:None
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