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 11000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver Denver.

Application Requirements for Former Workers

Note: This posting is intended for former Denver Parks and Recreation employees who have been invited to return to work in their previous role as a Lifeguard. Submitting a rehire application will help expedite the rehire process.

Applications will be referenced against former employee records. External applications and/or those who have not previously held a Lifeguard position with Denver Parks and Recreation cannot be considered through this job posting.

While a resume is not required please indicate that you have previously worked for the City and County of Denver in your application.

Schedule Requirements

Most indoor and outdoor pools are open 7 days per week during the summer. Our ideal Lifeguard candidate is committed to working at least 20 hours per week during the busy summer season has availability to work on weekends and limited extended time-off during the 9-week outdoor pool season.

Location

Our hiring efforts are primarily focused on staffing indoor and outdoor pools for the Summer 2026 season.

To view a map of the City and County of Denvers 32 indoor and outdoor swimming pools and determine your preferences for work locations visit the Find a Swimming Pool page.

What We Offer

Lifeguards with DPR are paid $19.29/hour. On-call positions are eligible to enroll in the City and County of Denvers 457b retirement plan. This position is not eligible for other additional benefits.

Dont 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. 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. Depending on the staffing needs of the recreation center or outdoor pool they are assigned to oncall positions may have a routine or variable work schedule and will work no more than 39 hours per week.

What Youll Do

Make a splash and earn some cash! The City and County of Denvers Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking seasonal outdoor pool Lifeguards to gear up for the best summer yet! 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 Denvers 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

What Youll Bring

Our ideal candidates are 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 Lifeguard candidates are committed to working at least 20 hours per week during the busy summer season and have availability to work on weekends. Our ideal candidates 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 two elements.

Prerequisite 1:Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

• Jump into the water and totally submerge resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.)

• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.

• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl breaststroke or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2:Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds:

• Starting in the water swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.)

• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.

• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.

• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Description source: American Red Cross

Questions about certification and upcoming courses Contact the Aquatics Office at 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. Youll 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.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: None

• Experience Requirement: Must be at least 15 years old at time of application per lifeguard certification requirements.

• Education/Experience Equivalency: None

• Licensure/Certifications: Possession of current Lifeguard Training Certification from one of the following agencies: American Red Cross NASCO Ellis & Associates Star Guard within the first month of employment. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment

About Everything Else

Job Profile

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

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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.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance sign language interpretation real-time captioning via CART or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you please contact with three business days notice.

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