Jobs in aquatics

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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)
  • National Lifeguard (15 years)
  • Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor (see note below) 

Note: To fulfill the Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor requirement, candidates who have already completed Red Cross Water Safety Instructor - Part 1 and 2 may complete the Swim Transition Pathways for Red Cross-Certified Individuals through the Lifesaving Society by December 31, 2022.  

Candidates who have completed only Red Cross Water Safety Instructor - Part 1 have until December 31, 2022 to complete Red Cross Water Safety Instructor - Part 2 and transfer their qualification with the Lifesaving Society Swim Transition Pathways for Red Cross-Certified Individuals.  

 To complete the transfer of qualification, login to your Red Cross profile and give permission for the Canadian Red Cross to share your certification data with the Lifesaving Society. A pop-up will appear when you sign-in. Complete the 2-hour Swim Transition Instructor Clinic. There is a clinic fee of $21.42 which will be required to be paid upon registration of course clinic.

Application process
  1. 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.
  2. 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. 

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

    Come prepared:

    • ​Review wading pool locations to determine preferred work locations.
    • Bring Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ / AED, AODA.