Lifeguard Salary $13.55 - $15.23 Hourly Location: Anderson & Washington Public Pools (Rotating), WI Job Type: Temporary/Seasonal Job Number: 20260968 Department: Parks Department Opening Date: January 23, 2026 Closing Date: July 31, 2026 11:59 PM Central
Description The City of Kenosha is accepting applications for Lifeguards to work at the Citys two public pools (located at Washington Park and Anderson Park) Approximately 48 hours per week, Tuesday through Sunday, including evenings and weekends, contingent on weather and operational needs. Assignments may occur at either Washington Park or Anderson Park pool location as required. The pool season runs from mid-June through mid-August, with operating hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The Parks Department will be offering Red Cross Lifeguard Certification courses to approved applicants. Applicants should be prepared to complete 7 hours of online course work prior to the course dates above. Please contact the Parks Department at 262-653-4080 for more information.
Please note that City employees (including seasonal employees) may only be employed in one department/division at any one given time. This employment is strictly temporary ("at will") which may be terminated at any time and does not lead to permanent full-time employment.
Duties & Responsibilities Under the direction of the Pool Supervisor, and/or designee, the lifeguard is responsible for monitoring aquatic activities to ensure the safety of patrons and staff. Essential Duties:
• Maintain pool facilities and locker rooms • Monitor and supervise swimming and aquatic activities • Enforce established swimming rules and safety regulations • Respond to emergencies in and out of the water in accordance with training and procedures • Perform emergency rescue and safety procedures as required • Communicate with the public in a professional and courteous manner • Inspect and ensure pool and safety equipment is maintained in proper working condition • Maintain cleanliness of pool facilities and surrounding areas • Maintain regular and reliable attendance • Attend mandatory lifeguard in-service training sessions • Follow all policies, procedures, and operational guidelines established by the Department • Perform attendant or other duties as assigned
Requirements Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be at least 16 years of age by June 1, 2026 • Must successfully pass a post-offer drug screening; applicants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for consent • Applicants 18 years or older must successfully pass a criminal background check • Must possess a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification and/or Ellis, including First Aid and CPR, by June 1, 2026 to qualify for employment • Lifeguards are required to provide their own dark blue or red swimwear
Knowledge, Abilities & Skills • General knowledge of pool facilities and operations • Strong customer service skills • Ability to respond to emergency situations in a calm, efficient and responsible manner • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions • Effective communication skills and ability to exercise sound judgment, courtesy, and tact • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Ability to maintain positive working relationships with supervisors, employees, and the public • Ability to work the required schedule and hours
Required Physical Skills and Abilities: • Must be able to jump into water from the side, totally submerge, recover to surface, and swim 150 yards • Must be able to maintain at surface of water for 2 minutes then swim 50 yards • Must be able to dive to a depth of 7-12 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards on the back while holding the object, and exit the pool without using a ladder or steps • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods • Ability to sit for prolonged periods as needed • Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions • Sensory Requirements: • Ability to see clearly to monitor pool areas, read instructions, and observe safety conditions • Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and public inquiries • Ability to use touch and perform CPR, basic first aid, handle equipment and perform maintenance tasks • Ability to perceive environmental conditions, including weather, water quality, and safety hazards, and respond appropriately
Method of Selection Applicants interested in becoming a lifeguard must obtain certification from the American Red Cross and/or Ellis with First Aid/CPR Certification in order to qualify for employment. Previous employees are not guaranteed rehire and are required to complete an online application for consideration. The City will analyze the applicants education, training and experience. Written, oral and/or proficiency exams may be required to establish eligibility. The City of Kenosha reserves the right to further evaluate only those applicants who best meet the needs of the City.
CITY OF KENOSHA SUMMARY OF BENEFITS For Nonrepresented Regular Part-Time and Temporary Employees Excludes Crossing Guards and Library employees. Regular part-time and temporary employees are covered under the Rules & Regulations of the City of Kenoshas Civil Service System as non-represented employees. Regular part-time employees may be eligible for benefits based upon hours worked per year. Not all employees will be eligible for the benefits listed below. Wages and benefits provided by the Library may be different than those listed below. Please contact the Kenosha Public Library with questions.
Wages The wage range for each City job classification is set by a compensation plan approved by the City of Kenosha. The wage rates for some nonrepresented part-time positions are divided into steps; others may only have one set rate of pay. If applicable, employees normally start at the first step (Step 1/A). Subsequent step increases, if any, are typically awarded at one (1) year intervals and are based upon minimum achievement of a satisfactory evaluation.
Part-time and temporary employees are paid an hourly wage based on their classification. Library personnel are paid based on a wage schedule set and approved by the Library Board. Please refer to the current Personnel Policies and Regulations of the Library for more information.
Direct Deposit Payroll is made by direct deposit for all employees. Employees must designate a checking or savings account (of their choice) at the time of hire. Salaried employees are paid on the 15th and last day of each month. Hourly employees are paid weekly on Fridays for the hours worked in the previous work week (Sunday - Saturday).
Pension Employees who meet Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) eligibility requirements are enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and are required to contribute one-half of the yearly pension contribution percentage as determined by WRS. The City contributes the other half of the total required amount into the employees retirement account. The current contribution rate for non-represented (general) employees is 14.4%. The total contribution is calculated based on gross wages paid to the employee for each pay period.
Life Insurance Term group life insurance coverage is provided to employees who participate in the WRS through the Wisconsin Public Employers Group Life Insurance Program. Coverage amount is based on annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000. The premium for Basic Plan coverage is paid by the City for active employees. Additional coverage and/or supplemental levels of coverage are available to employees at their own expense. Coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following thirty (30) days from the date of hire.
FICA Alternative Those employees not expected to meet the hours requirement set by the WRS to qualify for the pension program are required to participate in a FICA Alternative Program. Your earnings from this job may not be covered under Social Security. When you retire, or if you become disabled, you may receive a pension based on earnings from this job. If you do, and you are also entitled to a benefit from Social Security based on either your own work or the work of your husband or wife, or former husband or wife, your pension may affect the amount of the Social Security benefit you receive. Your Medicare benefits, however, will not be affected.
Application Questions
Will you be age 16 or older as of June 1, 2026? Yes No
Do you understand that applicants over the age of 18 are subject to a criminal background check? Those applicants who turn the age of 18 prior to beginning employment in June will be subject to this requirement. Yes, I am 18 or older No, I am under the age of 18
I hereby acknowledge and understand that, as part of my application for employment, I must submit to a urine drug test. I acknowledge and understand that any offer of employment is contingent on the passing of the aforementioned drug test. If I am a minor I must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Yes No
Do you hold a current Lifeguard certification from the American Red Cross? Yes No My certification is expired I will be certified prior to the pools opening
If you answered no or expired, what is your completion date of obtaining the Lifeguard certification?
Are you current in your CPR/First Aid certification? Yes No My Certification expired but will be re-certified prior to my start date in June.
Have you ever worked for the City as a lifeguard? Yes No If you answered yes, what was the most recent year?
Employer City of Kenosha Address: 625 - 52nd Street Room 205 Kenosha, Wisconsin, 53140 Phone: 262.653.4130 Website: https://www.kenosha.org