With summer on the horizon, the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is ramping up its annual lifeguard recruitment campaign — and this year, officials are sweetening the deal.
The department plans to hire more than 200 lifeguards to staff public pools across Phoenix for the 2026 swim season. City leaders say the positions offer more than just a paycheck, providing young adults and first-time job seekers with leadership experience, teamwork skills and the opportunity to serve their communities.
To help attract applicants in a competitive job market, the city is offering tiered hiring bonuses. Swim instructors can qualify for a $1,000 bonus, lifeguards are eligible for $750, and cashiers may receive $250.
Applicants must complete a lifeguard certification course before being considered for hire. Certification classes are currently available at select Phoenix pools for $20, though officials caution that sessions are filling quickly. Candidates must be certified by March 20 in order to secure an interview on March 21.
Key recruitment dates include:
Final certification class: March 7, 2026
Certification deadline: March 20, 2026
Interview day: March 21, 2026
City officials describe lifeguarding as a role that combines responsibility with a dynamic, outdoor work environment. In addition to monitoring pool safety, employees gain customer service experience and hands-on emergency response training.
More information about certification classes and the application process is available at the city’s official recruitment page: https://www.phoenix.gov/lifeguard.
With temperatures in the Valley expected to climb in the coming months, the hiring push signals the city’s early preparations to ensure pools are fully staffed and ready to open for residents seeking relief from the heat.
