Parks Department Recruiting Lifeguards As Summer Nears

As summer draws near, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has stepped up its efforts to recruit qualified swimmers to become New York City Lifeguards. The city plans to recruit and train over 1,100 lifeguards to staff the city’s seven beaches and 53 outdoor pools this summer. Training courses run through June.

“New York City’s municipal pools and beaches are among the world’s best, and it takes a highly skilled cadre of lifeguards to make them the safest,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Qualified women and men can acquire valuable expertise in the company of devoted professionals in beautiful and historic settings.”

Parks & Recreation is currently offering a free qualifying exam for interested lifeguard candidates. Exams are held Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the 59th Street Recreation Center, located at 533 West 59th Street in Manhattan. Candidates who pass the exam will be able to participate in a free lifeguard-training course. Recruits who successfully complete the course are guaranteed a job and will also be paid for the time spent in training.

Parks & Recreation 14 miles of beaches are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and pools are open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. Last year, Parks & Recreation recruited and trained close to 1,000 lifeguards.

This season, the beaches open for swimming on May 28, and the pools open on June 25. Both will be open through Labor Day.

For more information about the becoming a lifeguard, or about the City’s beaches and pools, visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.