Lifeguard​/Swim Instructor

The City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture Aquatics Team is currently recruiting to fill summer Lifeguard/Swim Instructor positions at our outdoor Water Park facility and at the indoor Aquatic Center. The summer season begins Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 23, 2026) and runs through Labor Day (Monday, September 7, 2026), with opportunities to work at the indoor facility throughout the year.

As a lifeguard/swim instructor, you are responsible for the safety and well‑being of City swimming pool patrons and for teaching swimming skills that will last a lifetime. We are looking for enthusiastic, dependable, and focused individuals who enjoy working with people of diverse ages and backgrounds, who can work independently and as part of a team, and who have the maturity to think and act quickly, problem solve, and perform effectively under pressure while maintaining a professional, helpful, and poised demeanor.

Being a lifeguard for the City of Gaithersburg requires certification! If you are not yet certified, you can sign up for a certification course rch for Lifeguard Training and register!

You will need to pass a skills test before hire; and if hired, you must attend in-service training throughout employment.

Daytime, evening, and weekend work may be required; hours per week vary based on operational needs of the facility (generally will not exceed an average of 27.5 hours per week if working year‑round). Starting pay rate is $18.54 per hour. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

• Enforce rules and regulations to keep pool patrons safe in and around the swimming pool and equipment.
• Teach learn‑to‑swim classes.
• Respond to emergencies and administer basic first aid when needed.
• Provide general information regarding aquatic activities and functions to the public.
• Assist in maintaining the complex including removing trash, cleaning, sweeping, and mopping locker rooms and other parts of the facility.
• Provide outstanding service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.

Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please  to view the classification description for the Lifeguard/Swim Instructor position.

• A current American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification (certification must be maintained throughout employment).
• Be a high school student (at minimum) and at least 15 years of age.
• Have prior relevant experience in a comparable aquatic facility (preferred).
• A positive attitude and the ability to deal with customers professionally, firmly, and tactfully in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• Excellent customer service and communication (verbal and written) skills.
• The ability to speak clearly and give andfollow oral and written directions and instructions.
• Demonstrated physical ability to swim at a proficient level to perform water rescues and remove victims from the water in an emergency.
• Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job.

Interested applicants must submit a completed online application to be considered
. Include your education history, relevant work experience (paid or volunteer), list any pertinent skills or certifications/licenses you have, and/or provide additional information that might be relevant to the job you are applying for. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

This is a continuous recruitment; review of applications will begin immediately and positions will remain open until filled. Prompt application is highly encouraged. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.

Successful candidates will be subject to a background check and drug/alcohol screening. The City has established an alcohol‑free, drug‑free, and smoke‑free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their…