Lifeguard

Lifeguard Position at St. Cloud Area Family YMCA

Make a difference. Build confidence. Save lives.

The St. Cloud Area Family YMCA is looking for responsible, energetic, and team-oriented individuals to join us as Lifeguards. Whether you're already certified or just a strong swimmer ready to learn, we've got you covered; we provide paid certification training for qualified candidates.

As a Lifeguard, you're more than just watching the pool; you're a leader, a first responder, and a key part of creating a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

Why You'll Love Working at the Y:

• Free YMCA membership and discounts on programs
• Enjoy up to 4 hours of free childcare in Kidzone for your dependents ages 1–11 during your scheduled shift
• Flexible scheduling
• Paid training and certification provided
• Opportunities to build leadership and real-life emergency response skills
• A supportive, inclusive team where you'll build friendships and have fun
• Be part of a growing department where your role truly matters

What You'll Do:

• Keep our members and guests safe by actively monitoring the pool and surrounding areas
• Respond confidently and quickly in emergency situations (we'll train you!)
• Enforce pool guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all
• Stay alert and proactive in preventing potential hazards
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming pool environment
• Engage with members—answer questions and create a positive experience
• Support aquatics programs, attend training session and maintain certifications as required

What You Bring:

• You're attentive, responsible, and ready to take on a meaningful role
• You enjoy working with people and being part of a team
• You're a strong swimmer and willing to complete lifeguard certification (provided by us)
• You're at least 16 years old

All candidates must successfully complete the American Red Cross swim test during the interview process which includes the following:

• Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence: Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards. After swimming 150 yards, tread water for 2 minutes without using your arms/hands. After treading water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control. You may use the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
• Timed Event (Brick Test): 1 minute and 40 seconds to complete. No googles allowed. Starting in water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 9 feet to retrieve a 10 pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance under water is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.

At the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA, we are united in a sincere desire to live out our great Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Together, we pledge to do this daily in our actions and interactions with staff, members and guests of the YMCA, by serving, caring, and loving. To serve is to meet physical needs through our facility, programs, and responsive actions to questions or requests. To care is to meet emotional needs by engaging in genuine conversation, listening with intention, and developing relationships. To love is to provide opportunities for connection and service by keeping the Y a safe and welcoming place for all.

When you join our team, you become part of something bigger—impacting lives and helping create a stronger community.

Requirements:

• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• All candidates must be able to pass the American Red Cross swim test during the interview process, which includes:
• Swim on front for 150 yards, tread water for 2 minutes with hands out of water, then swim on front for 50 yards (must be done consecutively without stopping)
• In a timespan of 1 minute 40 seconds, swimmer must jump into shallow end of pool, swim on front to deep end, retrieve 10 lb. object from bottom of pool, swim on back with object on stomach to the shallow end, place object on pool deck, and get out of pool.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard certification and plus.

Pay: $16-18 an hour depending on experience