City Parks Calls For Lifeguards As Summer Approaches

Published on February 08, 2024

Lifeguard classes and certification fees waived for city of Syracuse residents who sign up to work at least 20 hours per week

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Despite the cold weather, the City of Syracuse Department of Parks & Recreation is ramping up lifeguard training offerings in preparation to staff pools for the upcoming summer season.

Lifeguard Trainings
To be eligible for the class, participants must be age 15 or older by the last class and pass a prerequisite swim test. Online preregistration is required for prerequisite swim tests. Participants will be enrolled in the full lifeguard training class upon successful completion of the prerequisite swim test. Participants will be taught skills and techniques for Lifeguarding, Professional Rescuer CPR, First Aid, and AED. The certification is valid for two years.  The class does not include Waterfront certification. Space is limited for each session. The following trainings are available:

• Sundays, March 17 to May 19, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 12 to April 11, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Tuesdays & Thursdays. April 16 to May 23, 6 to 9 p.m.
  
  

  Noncity residents are welcome and encouraged to register but will be subject to the $75 class fee and $80 certification fee to enroll in the lifeguarding training class.  

  Learn more at syr.gov/becomealifeguard.

  Lifeguard Recertification Trainings
  For individuals that need to extend or recertify their certification for two more years, we have three sessions available to register for. The prerequisite swim test will be included at the start of these sessions. Preregistration is required. Space is limited per session. The following lifeguard recertification sessions are available at Valley Pool (4942 S. Salina Street, 13205):

• Friday, Feb. 23, 5 to 10:30 p.m. & Saturday, Feb. 24, 9 to 11 a.m.
• Sunday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, May 24, 5 to 10:30 p.m. & Saturday, May 25, 9 to 11 a.m.

  Noncity residents are welcome and encouraged to register for a prerequisite swim test but will be subject to the $75 class fee and $50 certification fee to enroll in the lifeguarding recertification training class.  

  Learn more at syr.gov/becomealifeguard.

  Lifeguard Performance Interviews
  For individuals currently holding a lifeguard certification and wish to work for the City of Syracuse Department of Parks & Recreation pools, a performance interview is required. Proficiency standards must be met in each event to be eligible for hire. The performance interview is free of charge and consists of a practical test covering the candidate’s lifeguarding and CPR skills. Hiring priority is given to city residents. Preregistration is required. The following lifeguard performance interview sessions are available at Valley Pool:

• Thursday, Feb. 21, 6 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 24, 6 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 25, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

  Learn more at syr.gov/becomealifeguard.

  Lifeguard Preconditioning Class
  This introduction class is designed for participants age 11 and older, who have passed the blue whale swim level, to learn the basic rescue skills and prepare for the lifeguard prerequisite test by improving swimming endurance. While this class will not certify anyone to be a lifeguard, it will build a foundation of knowledge and skills of what is required. The class is free of charge. Space is limited. Preregistration is required. The following lifeguard preconditioning class is available at Valley Pool:

• Saturdays, March 16 to May 11, 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Learn more and register at bit.ly/syrlifeguard-conditioning

Swim Lessons
Additionally, spring swim lesson registration will open for city residents on March 5 at 8 a.m. at  syracuse. recdesk.com. Registration for noncity residents opens March 7 at 8 a.m. Participants will meet once a week for half-hour classes, March 12 through May 11 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Valley Pool. Lessons will be offered at Southwest Pool (230 Lincoln Ave, 13204) on Saturday mornings. Lessons are for age 14 months and older. Fees are $10 per person for city residents and $35 per person for noncity residents.  

Summer lesson registration dates will be available in March. Summer lesson locations and times will be available beginning in June on syracuse.recdesk.com.

Pool Sites
For pool locations and hours, visit syr.gov/swimming. Schedules for summer 2024 will be released mid-June.  

For questions, email syracuseparks@syrgov.net. For the latest news and updates, follow Syracuse Parks on Facebook, Instagram, visit syracuse.recdesk.com or syr.gov/parks.

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