Become a Lifeguard
Lifeguard & Water Safety Instructor Training
Join Our Lifeguard Team
Combine your passion for water with a job! Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation has an exciting opportunity as a Lifeguard in the Virginia Beach Community Recreation Centers. Parks & Recreation is looking for observant and focused individuals to put their skills to use providing a safe environment while working with a nationally accredited team.
Parks & Recreation is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. This ensures all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access the programs that are offered. As a department, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation strives to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.
The lifeguard course teaches students lifeguarding skills to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course is 34 hours long, including the eligibility swim. To pass the course, you must attend all classes, correctly demonstrate all skills, pass two written tests, and successfully complete final water skills scenarios.
This course is also offered as Blended Learning with live instructor-led class sessions and asynchronous online components.
Prerequisites:
- Must be 15 years of age or older, and complete the eligibility swim test as follows:
- Jump in, submerge, resurface, and swim 150 yards/meters continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards/meters.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
More details can be found in the course information during enrollment.
Certification:
- American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
Employment
To become a lifeguard with the City of Virginia Beach, you must be at least 15 years old and currently certified in Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.
The water safety instructor course trains students to teach American Red Cross swimming classes. The course is 32 hours long including the eligibility swim. To pass the course you must attend all classes, pass all practice teaching assignments and score 80% or above on the final written test.
Prerequisite:
- Must be 16 years old and pass eligibility swim.
- Eligibility swim consists of 25-yard front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, and 15-yard butterfly.
- Must also tread water and float on back for one minute each.
Certification:
- American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
Employment
To become a water safety instructor with the City of Virginia Beach, you must be at least 16 years old and currently certified as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.