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Lifeguard Job Opportunities and Hiring Procedures

Photo by Cliff Lemire
Lifeguard Certification Lifeguard certification
Training and Courses

Lifeguard Training Continuum

Lifeguard School 2010 starts January 14 and takes place at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. For further information, please review the pamphlets below or phone 604-665-3421.

Lifeguard Brochure 2010 
Lifeguard School Schedule 2010 
Lifeguard Certification Schedule 2010 

Indoor Lifeguards

Regular Full-Time, Regular Part-Time and Temporary Full-Time over six months Indoor Lifeguard positions (Pool Attendant, Swim Instructor Attendant) are posted at City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4. Phone: 604-873-7011.
Or check Jobs at www.vancouver.ca/jobs

For on-call work, please contact the Pool Programmer at the facility you wish to work (see indoor pool locations). Applicants will be expected to have current Canadian qualifications as well as clearing references and a criminal record check.

All prospective lifeguards both indoor and outdoor are required to be physically fit with normal hearing and good vision and will be required to submit to a criminal records check.

Outdoor Lifeguards

Normally, 38 full-time lifeguards are employed during the summer. As well, more than 150 part-time lifeguards are hired with a good percentage of these working steadily throughout the season. The amount of work for those on-call is mainly determined by weather and beach patronage.

Under current union contract arrangements, 23 lifeguards are hired commencing on Victoria Day in May and an additional 15 lifeguards are hired during July and August. The balance of the lifeguards hired are on a daily on-call basis. The 38 full-time lifeguards are hired according to seniority, past performance, exam results and availability. The balance are hired similarly. New employees are hired on exam results, performance at practices and attendance at Lifeguard School. As well, employer references and a clean criminal record check is mandatory.

Lifeguard School candidates get priority consideration when hiring new employees.

Lifeguard training and lifeguard school information is posted elsewhere on this website. All lifeguards employed must hold current National Lifeguard certification, current C.P.R. Basic Rescuer certification and a recognized First Aid certificate (i.e. Aquatic Emergency Care, Standard First Aid or Occupational First Aid). Lifeguard at poolOnly Canadian qualifications are accepted. If you wish to work beaches, you must hold a N.L.S. Waterfront certificate (offered in June).

In-town prospective employees are encouraged to join Lifeguard School which runs January-April at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. Telephone 604-665-3424. Other prospective employees are asked to contact our Beach and Pool Department after June 1st.

Headquarters for the Vancouver Beach and Pool Department is located in the Kitsilano Beach Service Building, 1305 Arbutus Street, from May 15th to September 15th each year. Enquiries as to exam results and employment opportunities for returning staff should be directed to this office after May 1st each year. Telephone: 604-738-8535. Winter enquiries phone Glenn Schultz: 604-665-3418; Fax: 604-665-3455.

Email to: Glenn Schultz (year-round)

 

Register Now

Lifeguard School
(For those who are 16 yrs+ and hold a current NLS award)
Thur 6:00-9:30pm
Sun 8:00am - 12:00noon
Jan. 14 - April 8, 2010

Bronze Medallion
This challenging course includes instruction in lifesaving skills, water resuces and 1st aid. Prerequisit is Bronze Star or 13 years old
Jan 9-Feb 6
Saturday 3:00-8:00pm
Or Jan 10-Feb 7
Sunday 10:30-3:30
$142.56 plus Manual

Bronze Cross
Increase knowledge in lifesaving and lifeguarding skills, water rescues and 1st-aid includes CPR. Prerequisite Bronze Medallion
Feb 13-Mar 6
Saturday 3:00-8:00pm
Or Feb 14-Mar 7
Sundays 10:30 - 3:30pm
$142.56

National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
Candidates are educated in lifeguarding principles, emergency rescue and procedures associated with aquatic facilities. Prerequisite is Bronze Cross, CPR -C, and 16 years of age.
Feb 2-Mar 14
Tue 6:00-10:00pm
Sun 8:00-12:00pm
$307.24 plus manual


Register:
Vancouver Aquatic Centre
1050 Beach Avenue
604-665-3421
Visa and MasterCard
accepted by phone

Register Now
National Lifeguard
Pool Option course


NLS Pool Precert/Recerts
Tue/Thu Jan 26/28
Sat/Sun Feb 20/21
5:30 - 9:30pm
Cost Precert $30.45
Recert $61.45

Prerequisites: NLS Pool Option, current CPR within one year

Note

CPR Recert Feb 21/Apr 24