About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

Application Deadline

Applications for this position are accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

What We Offer

Don’t have a lifeguard certification? No problem! Lifeguard training and certification is provided for FREE with your commitment to work for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

This is an on-call position, which means it is a part-time, hourly role. Depending on the staffing needs of the recreation center they are assigned to, on‐call positions may have a routine or variable work schedule and will work no more than 39 hours per week. We offer flexible scheduling around class schedules, extracurricular activities, and other home or life demands so you can help keep your community safe and active at the pool at the times that work for you.

All new lifeguards with DPR are paid $18.29/hour. On-call positions are eligible to enroll in the City and County of Denver’s 457b retirement plan. This position is not eligible for other additional benefits.

Location

In this position you can expect to work on-site at an assigned recreation center or, during the summer season, an outdoor pool. To view a map of the City and County of Denver’s 32 indoor and outdoor swimming pools and determine your preferences for work locations, visit the Find a Swimming Pool page.

Our hiring efforts are primarily focused on the following locations and shift times:

• Montbello Recreation Center | Weekdays: early mornings and daytimes

• Central Park Recreation Center | Weekdays: daytimes

• Scheitler Recreation Center | Weekdays: afternoons & closing

• MLK Jr. Recreation Center | Weekdays: afternoons & closing

• Most locations are seeking enthusiastic Swim Instructor/Lifeguards who will teach swim lessons twice a week, usually afternoons & evenings

Priority consideration is given to candidates who are open to work at select locations with the greatest hiring needs.

What You'll Do

Make a splash and earn some cash! The City and County of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking Lifeguards for year-round work at indoor pools across Denver’s network of recreation centers. DPR offers flexible scheduling around class schedules, extracurricular activities, and other home or life demands so you can help keep your community safe and active at the pool at the times that work for you. Join the team and work where you play!

As a Lifeguard with Denver Parks and Recreation, you will:

• Perform critical public safety duties related to the operation of Denver’s municipal indoor and outdoor pools including supervising swimming areas, enforcing rules and regulations, and responding to emergencies

• Provide friendly and knowledgeable customer service to pool visitors

• Perform regular upkeep and cleaning of pool spaces and equipment

• Teach swimming lessons

• Perform minor maintenance work on pool equipment

• Provide recreation center front desk assistance or other facility operations support

• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested

About You

Our ideal candidates will be strong swimmers with an enthusiasm for engaging with the public and a deep appreciation of their role in keeping visitors safe in and around the water. Additionally, candidates will be expected to consistently demonstrate reliability and professionalism. Our ideal candidate will also already possess a certification in lifeguard training.

This position requires a valid American Red Cross certification in Lifeguard Training. No certification? No problem! Applicants who do not possess current certification may participate in an American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certification course led by Denver Parks and Recreation prior to employment for FREE.

To participate in the required Lifeguard Training Certification course, applicants must successfully complete a swimming pre-test consisting of three elements:

• Swimming 300 yards (six laps/twelve lengths) continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.

• Treading water for two minutes using only the legs

• Completing a timed event within 1 minute & 40 seconds which includes retrieving a 10-pound object from at least 7 feet of water. Swim goggles may not be used.

Questions about certification and upcoming courses? Contact the Aquatics Office at aquatics@denvergov.org or 720.865.0660.

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

RG2401 Lifeguard

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Oncall

Position Salary Range

$18.29 - $25.06

Starting Pay

All new Lifeguard hires with DPR are paid $18.29/hour

Agency

Parks and Recreation

Assessment Requirement

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.