NEW YORK (PIX11) — The New York City Parks Department is looking for residents who can rise to the challenge of becoming a lifeguard for the 2026 summer season.
Although summer may feel like a ways off, qualifying tests for 2026 lifeguards are already underway. Testing will be conducted at indoor pools around the city until late February.
“With $22 hourly wages, easier access to qualifying tests in every borough, and a $908 training bonus for new recruits, there’s never been a better time to become an NYC lifeguard,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa.
To qualify for a lifeguard position, prospective applicants must:
be at least 16-years-old by July 18, 2026
have at least 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other – without corrective lenses
be able to swim 50 yards in 50 seconds or less, with proper form.
More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State
Those who pass the qualifying test will undergo a 16-session training program to learn lifesaving techniques. After that, lifeguards will begin beach patrols on Memorial Day weekend and pools in late June.
To learn more and apply for a lifeguard qualifying test, click here.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
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