Lifeguard Training

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County has immediate openings for Lifeguards at the following aquatic facilities. Click here for Aquatics Employment Opportunities hiring information.

Indoor Pools Offering Year-Round Employment & Classes

Summer Outdoor Pools Offering Seasonal Employment Opportunities

FREE Lifeguard Training is available for candidates who successfully complete/meet the following pre-employment requirements:

  • Candidates must be at least 15 years of age to work for the Department.
  • Complete an online application via this job posting. Apply for a Lifeguard position.
  • Candidates can interview with a Facility Manager at one of the hiring facilities listed above.
  • Complete the required American Red Cross Precourse Skills assessment which includes successfully demonstrating the below skills:
  1. Swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.
  2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs (hands placed across chest under armpits)
  3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards then surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Surface and swim 20 yards on back, with both hands holding the object.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
  • Commit to working for the Department of Parks and Recreation at one of the hiring facilities listed above.

Once candidates complete/meet the pre-employment requirements, they will be assigned to an American Red Cross Lifeguarding course offered at one of our department aquatic facilities within 1-2 weeks of the interview. 

The Department of Parks and Recreation is an American Red Cross Training Provider. To view class offerings and to register, visit the PARKS DIRECT.

Logo reading American Red Cross with a bold red cross inside of a white sphere

Lifeguard Prep Swim Lessons (Ages 15 & Up)

Interested in taking the Lifeguarding Training course, but need more practice? Register for these swim prep swim lessons that focus on stroke development and endurance and help prepare swimmers for the Lifeguard Pre-Test. To view class offerings and to register, visit the PARKS DIRECT.

Requirements

  • Participants must be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim at least 100 yards of continuously using front crawl and/or breaststroke.
  • Participants in the course must have an application on file with Facility Director prior to taking this course.
  • Participants must also commit to working for a M-NCPPC pool for the upcoming pool season.
  • Must be at least 15 years old.

Lifeguard Training (Ages 15 & Up)

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel take over. This course is offering as an blended learning course with interactive eLearning modules and instructor led sessions. Register for the Lifeguard Pre-Test first, once you pass the pre-test then you would register for the Lifeguard Training course.  To view class offerings and to register, visit the PARKS DIRECT.

Requirements

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Participants must have previously passed the Lifeguard Pre-test that is listed below (both pre-test and course must be taken at the same facility).

Lifeguard Pre-Test (Ages 15 & Up)

This pre-test is necessary for the Lifeguard Training course (both pre-test and course must be taken at the same facility). Register for the pre-test prior to registering for Lifeguard Training, to view class offerings and to register, visit the PARKS DIRECT.

Participants must be at least 16 years old and demonstrate the following:

  1. Swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing
  2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs (hand placed across chest under armpits)
  3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds
    1. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards then surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
    2. Surface and swim 20 yards on back, with both hands holding the object.
    3. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Lifeguard Instructor Training (Ages 17 & Up)

Become certified as an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor. This course teaches students to train and certify participants in Lifeguarding and CPR/AED. Participants must be currently certified in basic-level Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.

Course Completion Requirements

  1. Successfully complete the Online Session prior to the Pre-course session
  2. Successfully complete the Pre-course session
  3. Attend and actively participate in all course sessions
  4. Successfully complete class activities, including the required practice-teaching assignments. Pass the Bloodborne Pathogens Training Instructor Self-Study Test
  5. Pass the basic-level Administering Emergency Oxygen final written exam
  6. Pass the Lifeguarding Instructor course final written exam

Swimming Skills Evaluation

During the Pre-course Session, you must successfully demonstrate competency in the following swimming skills evaluation and four rescue skill scenarios:

  1. Swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing
  2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs (hand placed across chest under armpits)
  3. Must complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds
    1. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards then surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
    2. Surface and swim 20 yards on back, with both hands holding the object.
    3. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
  4. Primary Assessment and Infant CPR scenario
  5. Suspected head injury rescue
  6. Active victim rescue scenario
  7. Submerged victim in 7 to 10 feet of water and perform one-rescuer adult CPR scenario for 3 minutes.

Pre-test and training courses must be taken at the same facility.

Shallow Water Lifeguard Training (Ages 15 & Up)

Become an American Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguard. The primary purpose of this course is to learn the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and to respond to aquatic emergencies in shallow water up to 5 feet deep. Participants must have previously passed the Shallow Water Lifeguard Pre-test (both pre-test and course must be taken at the same facility). This course is for those who are interested in working at M-NCPPC's Glenn Dale Splash Park during the summer season only.

Shallow Water Lifeguard Pre-Test

Pre-test for Water Attendant training course-both courses must be taken at the same facility. Participants must show proof of age and demonstrate the following:

  1. Swim continuously for 100 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
  2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs (hand placed across chest under armpits)
  3. Must complete a timed event within 50 seconds
    1. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke then submerge to a depth of 4 to 5 feet to retrieve a 10 pound object.
    2. Return to surface and walk or swim 20 yards to the starting point with both hands holding the object at the surface of the water.
    3. Exit the pool without using a ladder or steps.