Lifeguards and Swim Instructors

We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2026 season. Learn how to apply.

Join our team as a lifeguard/swim instructor with the City! You will be part of a great group, meet new people, earn money, challenge yourself and have a blast! 

Why become a lifeguard or swim instructor?

  • Get real experience helping your community
  • Build leadership and communication skills
  • Learn skills you can use in any job
  • Flexible work hours
  • Save money on recertification courses

How to become a lifeguard/swim instructor

Our aquatic certification programs will guide you through the steps needed to get certified and apply for a job.

Required certifications

Applicants are required to hold the following current certifications:

  1. National Lifeguard - Pool
  2. Standard First Aid with CPR-C
  3. Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor

If you are missing any of the required certifications, review the aquatic certification programs to understand the pathways.

If you have a certification from outside Ontario, check whether it is equivalent to the Lifesaving Society's certification page, or call 416-490-8844 to find out.

Apply to be a lifeguard or swim instructor

We're excited that you want to join our team!

Our hiring process is thorough, so we start recruiting three to six months ahead of each season. The number of available positions is limited, and we will only contact you if you are selected for an interview.

Apply Now

About the interview process

After submitting your application, selected applicants will be contacted to choose their timeslots for both the dry and wet interviews. Find out more about these in the sections below.

The wet interview is the first step of our hiring process. Come prepared to demonstrate a wide variety of skills you learned in your National Lifeguard and Swim Instructor courses.

During the wet interview, we will evaluate your CPR, DNS rescue response, spinal injury management, object recovery at 3.5 meters and an instructional demonstration

Things to know about the wet interview:

  • Typically lasts an hour.
  • It's an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, judgement, and teaching ability.
  • Practicing your physical skills before the interview will help you succeed.

What to bring:

  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Whistle
  • Goggles
  • Current qualifications (or your LSS ID)
  • Lesson plan for your teaching component

The dry interview is our opportunity to learn more about you and the strengths you can bring to our team. Be sure to bring your qualifications with you to the dry interview. 

Things to know about the dry interview:

  • Typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Preparing for interview questions ahead of time will help you on the day of the interview. Come prepared to speak about your experience, accomplishments, and examples of when you demonstrated job-related skills.

You can volunteer before you apply!

Boost your experience before you apply by volunteering with our swimming lessons and getting valuable hands-on practice.

While not required, prior experience and additional qualifications, such as the LSS Lifesaving Instructor award or other advanced leadership instructor and examiner certifications, are strong assets.

Contact

General Recruitment and Accomodation Questions
hrcity@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-4291 ext. 1267

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.