Parks & Rec lifeguard screening and skills building (Center City Location)

Book your spot to start training to be a lifeguard with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation!

Parks & Rec hires hundreds of lifeguards each summer. The starting salary is $15.25 per hour, and we provide free training and Red Cross Lifeguard certification to any candidate ages 16-24.

You must be 15 years or older to attend a lifeguard screening at one of our indoor training pools. You must be 16 years or older to work as a lifeguard for the City of Philadelphia.

Lifeguard Screening

You must be able to complete the following skills to pass the screening:

• Swim 300 yards non-stop. (12 laps of freestyle or breaststroke). This is not a timed swim, but you must continuously swim the 12 lengths and not stop or you will need to start over.

• Tread water for two minutes using only your legs with your hands.

• Retrieve a 10-pound brick from a deep well. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the brick, using only your legs. The brick must be held out of the water with both hands. You must complete this task within one minute and 40 seconds.

Lifeguard Skills Practice

Register for time to practice the skills needed to pass the screening test. This is optional and not required to advance in the lifeguard certification process.

Skills practice is free of charge.

Pool Entrance Directions

The entrance to Friends Select's courtyard and building is on the north side of 16th St between Cherry and Race. Coming up 16th St, you will pass a gated driveway on your left which is immediately followed by a pedestrian entrance to the courtyard. Participants will enter the building and make there way to the pool in the basement. Signs will be posted in the building to follow to the pool area.

Reminders

• Bring a bathing suit and towel. You may also wear swim goggles.
• Masks must be worn to enter the building. Once you are about to enter the pool, masks may be removed.

***If you register for a session and cannot attend, please cancel your registration. This will allow others to use the limited time slots. To cancel your registration, use the registration link.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Friends Select School, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, United States