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Path to become a lifeguard and swim instructor
A complete list of courses with pre-requisites are listed in our Recreation eGuides.
- Bronze Star *optional (10-12 years)
- Bronze Medallion / Emergency First Aid with CPR ‘B’ (13 years)
- Bronze Cross (14 years)
- Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED (12 years)
- Airway Management or Oxygen Therapy (O2) (15 years)
- Red Cross Water Safety Instructor – Part 1 (15 years)
- Red Cross Water Safety Instructor – Part 2 (15 years)
- National Lifeguard (15 years)
- Lifesaving Society Instructor (Desired)
Application process
- Apply online at ottawa.ca/careers.
- Year-round positions (September to June)
- Summer positions (July to August)
- The application process opens each year in February and closes at the end of the summer season.
- In person screening sessions are occasionally hosted. See the Screening session section.
Opportunities
Opportunities are currently available for candidates at all stages of the certification process.
See Screening sessions for upcoming recruitment events.
Lifeguard / Instructor (pools)
- Qualifications
- National Lifeguard (NL)
- Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED
- Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
- Airway Management or Oxygen Therapy
- AODA
- Lifesaving Society Instructor (desired)
Waterfront Lifeguard (beaches)
- Qualifications:
- National Lifeguard (NL)
- Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED
- Oxygen Therapy or Airway Management
- AODA
Wading Pool Attendant
- Qualifications:
- Must be 15 years of age by June 1
- Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED
- AODA
- Recommended Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard (NL)
Aquafitness Instructor
- Qualifications
- Aquafitness Instructor certificate (CALA, YM-YWCA, WaterART or other recognized certification)
- Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED
- AODA
Screening sessions
Lifeguard and Instructor (Pools)
Screening dates:
Register online or in person at any City of Ottawa facility.
- Sunday, August 14 at Splash Wave Pool (2040 Ogilvie Road), 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Barcode: 1636165
- Wednesday August 31 at Plant Recreate Centre (930 Somerset St W), 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Barcode: 1636164
Screening items:
- Distressed victim rescue, 20 metre head up approach, 5 metre carry
- 20 metre approach and object recovery
- Submerged removal and management of a VSA victim
- 50 metre head-up swim
Come prepared:
- Bathing suit and towel
- Pocket mask
- Copy of LSS ID and/or certifications
Waterfront Lifeguard (Beaches)
Screening items:
- Distressed victim rescue, 20 metre head up approach, 5 metre carry
- 20 metre approach and object recovery
- Submerged removal and management of a VSA victim
- 50 metre head-up swim
- 200 metre swim under 3 minutes 50 metre swim, submerged mannequin recovery, carry 25 metre in under 1 minute 30 seconds
- 25 metre underwater swim
Come prepared:
- Bathing suit and towel
- Pocket mask
- Goggles (for Waterfront Lifeguard items only)
Wading Pool Attendant
- In person interviews.
- See Contact section for more information.
Come prepared:
- Review wading pool locations to determine preferred work locations.
- Bring Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED, AODA.
Contact
- Wading pool attendant: seasonalhiring@ottawa.ca
- Lifeguard (pool or beach) or instructor: aquaticshiringteam@ottawa.ca