Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors

Photos of people swimming.

Contact: cotlifeguard@tucsonaz.gov or 520-837-8119 for questions or more information.

Are you interested in becoming a City of Tucson lifeguard?

Here's what you need to know!
Pay starts at $16.75/hr.
*All applicants must be at least 15 years old or older.

Step 1: Apply

Apply online during the open recruitment period.

  • Must be at least 15 years old at the time of application.
  • Must be available to work all of June and July (potential to work through the year)
  • Must be available for other hiring activities (see below), if you aren't available for any one of those dates, please do not apply for that job posting period.

Job posting: Open through March 14
Swim Test: March 22
Class: April 15, 22, and 24

Step 2: Swim Test

After you apply, aquatics staff will call you to let you know where to be and when to be there.

Come prepared to swim with a suit, goggles (optional), and a towel. You will perform the following in water swim skills. 

  • 300-yard continuous approach stroke without tube (front crawl)
  • 50-yard approach stroke with a rescue tube
  • 2-minutes treading water using legs only (hands out of the water at the wrist)
  • 50-yard side stroke supporting a dummy
  • Retrieve a 10 lb. diving brick from ~12 feet, return it to the surface, and exit the pool without a ladder.

Job posting: Open through March 14
Swim Test: March 22
Class: April 15, 22, and 24

Step 3: Human Resources Onboarding

You will be onboarded with Human Resources. You will receive an email from ParksHR@tucsonaz.gov to set up a fingerprint appointment. Then you will receive an email from WorkDay after the fingerprinting has been completed.

Step 4: Starguard Course

If you cannot make it to ALL of the days for the classes, you will have to apply for a different job posting.

Job posting: Open through March 14
Swim Test: March 22
Class: April 15, 22, and 24

 

Step 5: Orientation

Mandatory orientation will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

 

Apply Online

Are you already a certified lifeguard? Apply online at Tucsonaz.gov/jobs to get to work today!

Job posting: Open through March 14
Swim Test: March 22
Class: April 15, 22, and 24

Water Safety Instructor (WSI)

You must have WSI certification to teach swim lessons. Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Basics certifications are required. Certification is earned through Starfish Aquatics Institute. It is blended learning that includes an online course as well as in-water practicum.

Class are offered starting in the spring. Enrollment into the StarFish program through City of Tucson pool supervisors. Interested staff must contact the cotlifeguard@tucsonaz.gov to request training.

Trainees must be 16 years old before the first class. Stroke and swim skills are tested in the first and second classes. Trainees should be proficient in the following strokes:

  • Front Crawl
  • Back Crawl
  • Breaststroke
  • Sidestroke
  • Elementary Backstroke
  • Basic knowledge of Butterfly is also helpful.

For questions about training or employment email cotlifeguard@tucsonaz.gov.

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