How to hire a certified lifeguard

How to hire a certified lifeguard, step by step

Here's a step-by-step certified lifeguard hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a certified lifeguard job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new certified lifeguard
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a certified lifeguard, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A certified lifeguard's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, certified lifeguards from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of certified lifeguards and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Certified Lifeguard	Description	Hourly rate
   Certified Lifeguard		$10-16
   Swim Instructor	As the name entails, swim instructors teach both children and adults how to swim. They help people develop their swimming ability through proper swimming techniques... Show more	$8-16
   Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	The primary job of lifeguards and swimming instructors is to keep an eye and teach swimmers at both private and public beaches, pools, private resorts, public parks, and summer camps. They implement local laws and regulations of the facility and provide help to swimmers who are in need... Show more	$10-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • First-Aid
   • Water Safety
   • In-Service Training
   • Rescue Techniques
   • Professional Attitude
   • Emergency Situations
   • Pool Rules
   • Safety Procedures
   • Leadership
   • Safety Rules
   • Water Rescue
   • Lifeguard Training
   • Emergency Care
   • Resuscitation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Acquire skills in CPR, safety regulations, leadership and responsibility
   • Work as a beach patrol lifeguard for several summers (2007 and 2008) amounting to 6 months.
   • Perform rescues and administer first-aid in emergency situations.
   • Provide first responder first aid when necessary.
   • Implement basic first aid and first responder procedures.
   • Coordinate swim meets and ensure that they run smoothly.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your certified lifeguard job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A certified lifeguard can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, certified lifeguards' average salary in indiana is 44% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level certified lifeguards 37% less than senior-level certified lifeguards.
   • Certifications. A certified lifeguard with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a certified lifeguard's salary.

   Average certified lifeguard salary

   $13.59hourly

   $28,264 yearly

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   Entry-level certified lifeguard salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a certified lifeguard job description

   A certified lifeguard job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a certified lifeguard job description:

   Certified lifeguard job description example

   Greater Philadelphia YMCA Employment Opportunity!
   
   Hiring Immediately for Lifeguards at our Haverford YMCA Branch! Summer Pay Rate of $13 - $15 per hour!! Flexible Schedule and Fun Environment!
   
   Get your whistles and join us poolside! Become a Lifeguard at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA! We are hiring lifeguards at our Haverford YMCA branch. If you have your certification or are looking to become a lifeguard please reach out to us to set up a time to talk. We have flexible schedules to accommodate your busy lifestyle.
   
   What You Will Do:
   • Under direct supervision of the Aquatic Leader, the Lifeguard is expected to ensure a safe, clean and enjoyable aquatic environment for YMCA members and participants.
   • Ensure safety of all individuals in the pool area by being on deck, watching all activity in and around the pool, walking around the pool area, constantly remaining alert while on duty, enforcing all pool rules, recognize emergencies and rescue individuals in stress.
   
   Qualifications:
   • Minimum of 16 years of age
   • Strong swimming background
   • Lifeguard Certification or wiliness to attain (GPY will cover the cost of certification)
   Some Benefits and Perks of Working at the Y:
   Flexible work schedule, a free membership, discounted programming, participation in the Y Retirement Fund, health and wellness benefits, and opportunities for continuing education and professional training and development.
   
   About the Greater Philadelphia YMCA:
   Every team member at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA is guided by our principle of Connecting People To Healthier Lives. That connection with members and to each other is seen and felt across every department. As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to make a profound difference in a cause-driven organization, where social responsibility permeates the culture. As one of the largest YMCAs in the country, serving over 240,000 members and participants in 6 counties with 2,500 employees, we have the size and scope to make real and positive change in the communities
   
   The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. The Y considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or other protected classification and in accordance with applicable laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right certified lifeguard for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your certified lifeguard job on Zippia to find and recruit certified lifeguard candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit certified lifeguards, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new certified lifeguard

   Once you've selected the best certified lifeguard candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new certified lifeguard. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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