Next swim test date is Saturday, December 21 and swim skills training programs at four neighborhood pools kick off the week of January 21.
CHICAGO – The Chicago Park District is announcing the opening of the summer job application for lifeguards earlier than ever in its history to ensure that it is ready and prepared to open all beaches and pools for Chicago residents and visitors next summer.
By moving up the timeline, the Park District is poised to reach a wider audience of candidates that will have access to vital training necessary to fill roles as Lifeguards in the Park District’s 22 lakefront beaches, 1 inland beach, and 77 indoor and outdoor pools.
Making the applications available earlier in the year will also help to better assess our recruitment strategies and address workforce needs before key pivotal summer dates are upon us, including the opening of our 22 beaches on Friday, May 23, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
The “Become a Chicago Lifeguard” campaign aims to recruit swimmers interested in spending their summers providing a valuable service to Chicago. Swimmers may apply at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards and register to take the required swim test. The next swim tests are scheduled for Saturday, December 21 and Saturday, February 1 at 9 a.m. Upon completion of the lifeguard application, candidates will be given the opportunity to choose the swim test date that is most convenient for them.
In addition, watch for posters at our fieldhouses, in billboards throughout the city, and on social media featuring some of our current and past lifeguards.
“There’s no better time to apply for a summer job than the winter. Teens, college students and adults, including retirees, can make this a productive winter break by securing a great summer job,” said Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. “For those that want to ‘Become a Chicago Lifeguard,’ but need extra support, the Park District is ready to provide paid opportunities to learn the life-saving skills necessary to gain the essential experience and be ready to serve swimmers this summer.”
The perks of applying now and starting the process early include the opportunity to pick the beach or pool location of preference for the lifeguard applicant to work this summer. Summer location assignments will start after March 1, 2025.
Complete the Lifeguard Application
The pay rate for a Park District lifeguard starts at $19.75. In addition to offering competitive wages, life-skill building opportunities, flexible work schedules and pathways to careers and full-time employment, the summer lifeguard job is an attractive employment opportunity that entails working indoors and/or outdoors, depending on the position.
The first step for interested candidates is to apply for the Lifeguard position at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards.
Chicago lifeguards are trained with life-saving skills, which they can apply to a variety of career opportunities, including as first responders. Candidates must Chicago residents and 16 years of age and older by July 1, 2025. These positions start as early as April and run through September. Candidates will have access to a full schedule of swim test dates upon completing the Lifeguard application. The next tests are scheduled for December 21st at Whitney Young High School, 211 S. Laflin St. and February 1st at Foster Park, 1440 W. 84th St. Tests will begin at 9 a.m. An additional six test opportunities will be offered through the end of May.
Swim Skills Test
The swim test ensures that applicants have the capacity to meet the minimal requirements to achieve the lifesaving duties required of this vital role. During the test, applicants must complete a 200-yard swim in less than 3 minutes and 30 seconds, swim under water for 20 yards, and retrieve a 10-pound object from a depth of 10 to 14 feet. Applicants that swim for 4 minutes and 30 seconds may qualify for the Shallow Water Attendants position. View all of the swim test dates and locations at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguard-skills-test.
Paid Certification Classes
After fulfilling the swim test requirements, candidates will be assigned to an American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course. The Chicago Park District will provide participants with a $400 stipend for completion of the course, and $100 for re-certification.
Applicants may select their class session after passing the Lifeguard Skills Test. Lifeguards must work for the Park District through August 6th, 2025 to receive the stipend.
The next classes are scheduled for December 26 to 28, 2024 and January 2 and 3, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Harris Park, 6200 S. Drexel Ave., Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave. and Stanton Park, 618 W. Scott St. More classes for Spring 2025.
During the classes, participants will learn general lifeguarding skills, First Aid, CPR, AED, waterfront skills, administering emergency oxygen, bloodborne pathogens training, asthma inhaler training and epinephrine auto injector training.
Winter and Spring Swim Training Program- Lifeguards Explorers Training Program
In 2024, the Park District opened all of its beaches and pool locations with support from a strong lifeguard corps that answered the call to “Become a Chicago Lifeguard.” A total of 2,175 Chicagoans applied to be lifeguards this summer. The Park District steadily rebuild the learn to swim to lifeguard pipeline through various efforts, including the Lifeguard Explorers Training Program (LETP), and expanding free Learn to Swim programming in targeted areas. Nearly 200 youth, between the ages of 15 and 22, participated in the first year of LETP, of which nearly 50 were hired and served as lifeguards. The success of this program facilitated the opening of pools for six days a week and beaches for seven days a week.
The course, which targeted the west and south side communities, provided Chicago residents opportunities to strengthen their swim skills and/or to learn to swim. The Winter Session of the training program is open for registration at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguard-explorers, and will run from January 21, 2025 to March 15, 2025. The 15-session course is offered two days a week at Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St., Don Nash Park, 1833 E. 71st, Homan Square Community Center Park, 3559 W. Arthington, and LaFollette Park, 1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Participants will receive a $475 stipend for completion of the program that includes over an hour and a half of swim time and lifeguard skills training in each class. Program participants that successfully pass the test and complete the job application are eligible to be hired as a Chicago Lifeguard.