Lifeguards

Applicant Requirements

Lifeguards can earn $16.00 - $18.00/hr this summer, and must satisfy the following criteria:

• Ages 15 and over
• Complete all required Lifeguard Employment Forms
• Possess a current lifeguard certification and be able to pass an aquatics test
• Work the entire swimming season, including flexible hours, weekends, and holidays

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass background checks as required for the position.

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The American Red Cross (ARC) and Allegheny County offer a two day, in-person, skills and training for water, first aid, and CPR/AED. Participants who complete the course requirements will receive an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, valid for a two-year period. Participants must be age 15 or older, and pre-registration is required for lifeguard certification classes. 

For more information, please contact the Allegheny County Parks Department at 412-350-2455.  Participants must complete their physical prior to taking the ARC lifeguard certification course.

Lifeguard Certification Course Fee:
Resident: $250.00 | Non-resident: $312.00

Enroll in an upcoming Lifeguard Certification course

Reimbursement Qualifications

Applicants who receive a two-year American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification through Allegheny County and meet the following criteria may be eligible to receive full reimbursement of the certification fee, equivalent to $250.00:

1. Obtain a lifeguard certification through an Allegheny County certification course
2. Be employed at one of the county pools for a minimum of 225 hours during the same season 

The Allegheny County aquatics test(PDF, 192KB) consists of six individual skills and knowledge sections including: five in-water skills tests and one written test. Test sections can be completed in any order. Each section is pass/fail and may be attempted twice during the same testing session. Applicants must provide their own lifeguard-appropriate bathing suit and towel for the test.

Applicants must obtain and submit a valid physical to Allegheny County prior to the taking the aquatics test. Applicants who do not present a physical will not be permitted to participate in the water skills portion of testing and will have to reschedule the in-water tests.

Aquatics Test Sections:

Written
10-question exam on First Aid, CPR, lifeguarding skills, etc.

In-Water
Swim-tread-swim sequence
Timed event: brick retrieval
Rescue-ready in a randomly-assigned scenario
Passive submerge drowning person with approach
Multiple-rescuer team response: adult passive submerged

Enroll in an upcoming Aquatics Test