City of Phoenix Offers $3,000 Incentive to 2023 Certified Aquatics Staff 

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is offering $3,000 in incentive pay for certified lifeguards. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department needs to hire pool managers, assistant managers and hundreds of lifeguards ahead of the 2023 pool season to safely open as many of the city’s 29 public pools as possible.

Eligible certified managers, assistant managers and lifeguards will receive $500 on the first paycheck, and the remaining $2,500 as a one-time payment at the end of the 2023 pool season.

To receive the pay, a person must become certified as a lifeguard, work the entire summer through Labor Day weekend and finish in good standing.

Also, for the first time, the department is offering a new ‘Shallow Water Lifeguard’ position. Shallow-water lifeguards will guard four feet of water and under.

“For the second season in a row, the City of Phoenix is making a direct investment into the safety of our residents, especially when it comes to children and water safety,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Not only do lifeguards watch over our residents while swimming, but they also provide affordable swim lessons throughout the summer.”

“To ensure we deliver the best service to our residents, Phoenix we must continue to raise wages and benefits for our essential employees,” said District 5 Councilwoman and Community & Cultural Investment Subcommittee Chair Betty Guardado. “Our committee will continue to support the important efforts by our Parks and Recreation Department to address the shortages in our lifeguard and pool staffing levels.”

The $3,000 incentive pay reimburses individuals for the cost and time spent obtaining the lifeguard certification and, when combined with the base hourly rate of per position, increases the rate of the follow positions to:

• Pool Managers: $20.91/hour + $3,000 incentive =  $30/hour*
• Assistant Pool Managers: $18.28/hour + $3,000 incentive = $27.65/hour*
• Swim Lesson Instructor: $16.51/hour + $3,000 incentive =  $25.88/hour*
• Lifeguards: $15.72/hour + $3,000 incentive =  $25.09/hour*
• Shallow Water Lifeguard: $14.97/hour + $3,000 incentive = $24.34/hour*

The department is also offering a $250 employee referral payment.

Get certified now so you are ready to interview in March! Certification classes have already begun and are available for registration at multiple locations through March. Lifeguards must complete the necessary training during the scheduled class times.

Benefits of being a lifeguard:

1. $3,000 incentive pay
2. $15.72 an hour base pay
3. Learn lifesaving skills
4. Work in your neighborhood
5. Keep your community safe and be a role model for kids
6. Looks great on a college application or resume, demonstrates teamwork, responsibility, and leadership skills
7. Meet other dedicated people
8. Flexible summer shifts, ideal for students
9. Have fun!

StarGuard Training​ for lifeguard certification is required to become a lifeguard with the City of Phoenix. Those interested in becoming a lifeguard should register for a certification class right away. Applicants must be at least 15-years-old.