Lead Lifeguard

Salary : $43,201.60 - $50,481.60 Annually
Location : Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-02139O
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 10/13/2026 11:59 PM Central


About the Position
Come join our team! The City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department is hiring Lead Lifeguards to help provide safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experiences at municipal beaches, swimming pools, aquatic centers, water parks, and children's day camps. In this role, you will monitor aquatic activities, support daily operations, guide lifeguard staff, and act as the onsite supervisor when other management staff are unavailable.

Here's what you can expect to do:

• Monitor aquatic areas, recognize potential hazards and emergencies, rescue patrons, and administer emergency treatment when needed.
• Lead lifeguard rotations, cleaning responsibilities, teaching assignments, and other daily operational activities.
• Act as the onsite supervisor when management staff are unavailable and help ensure adequate lifeguard coverage.
• Orient, train, and mentor lifeguards while helping ensure staff maintain required training and certifications.
• Assist with swimming lessons, aquatic safety audits, equipment and supply inventories, required reports, and customer service needs.

For more information and essential functions, see our


Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of , including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us.We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate

Position Requirements


Must possess swimming skills. (Swimming skills are defined as being able to swim 200 yards, tread water for 2 minutes and swim in 12 feet of water.)

Must have at least one season of work as a lifeguard or water safety instructor.

Must possess an American Red Cross Lifeguard license and maintain current lifeguard licensure throughout employment, including Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Oxygen, and First Aid Certifications.

The following is preferred, but not required: An ability to speak in a language other than English.

Note: Proof of certifications and licensure must be submitted to hiring authority upon conditional job offer. Swimming skills will be evaluated upon conditional job offer.

How to Apply

1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
2. Upload or submit the following required document(s) via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)

First time applying online? Read our


Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Learn more about our Hiring Process
Assessment: Qualifications Rating

The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.

Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.


Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered.


Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.
Pre-Employment Screening: This position requires a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of American Red Cross lifeguard license, CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen certifications to Human Resources upon conditional job offer.

Human Resources Contact Information:
Michelle LeBow at View phone number on click.appcast.io
E-mail:


The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.

Veteran's Preference : If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran's preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.

Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:

City Paid Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vacation/Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Life Insurance
• Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
• Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance

For a detailed overview, visit
01


The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening and application processes. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.

• Yes

02


How many seasons of work experience do you have as a lifeguard or water safety instructor?

• One season
• Two or more seasons
• None of the above

03


Do you currently possess an American Red Cross Lifeguarding licensure?

• Yes
• No

04


Select all the current certifications you possess.

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Administering Emergency Oxygen
• First Aid
• None of the above

05


Select all the activities you are willing and able to perform, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Swim 200 yards
• Tread water for two minutes
• Swim in 12 feet of water and retrieve a 10-pound brick
• Perform activities involving swimming, pulling, bending, and stooping
• Lift and carry equipment, tools, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds
• None of the above

06


I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.

• Yes
• No

07


RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)

• City of Saint Paul website
• City of Saint Paul employee
• City of Saint Paul job interest card
• City of Saint Paul walk-in
• City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
• City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
• Friend or family member
• League of Minnesota Cities website
• Governmentjobs.com website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• X (formerly known as Twitter)
• Indeed.com website
• ZipRecruiter
• Pollen website
• MinnesotaWorks.net
• College or University
• Community organization
• Job fair
• Professional association
• Saint Paul Elevate Session
• People of Color Career Fair
• Other

08


RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name).
Required Question