Summer Academy Lifeguard

Overview

Horizons Greater Washington is seeking a passionate and energetic individual who wishes to positively impact children's lives as a Summer Program Lifeguard.

Work Locations

In the application, candidates will be asked to share their preference for the following locations:

Embassy of Switzerland

2900 Cathedral Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20008

UDC Natatorium

EB Henderson Sports Complex

4200 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20008

George Washington University Mount Vernon Campus Swim Center

2100 Foxhall Road NW

Washington, DC 20007

NOTE: Pool is accessed from Whitehaven Parkway, across from St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School.

Schedule

Lifeguards have a part-time schedule of approximately 10-20 hours per week within our core program hours of Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 3:00 pm.

2026 Program Dates

Lifeguard Training: TBD

Staff Orientation: 06/23/2026-06/26/2026

Summer Program: 06/29/2026-07/31/2026

*There will be no program on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day on July 4th.

About Horizons Greater Washington

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, is a dedicated leader in advancing educational opportunities by creating long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create enriching out-of-school experiences that ignite the joy of learning for our students.

HGW supports over 400 students across grades 1-9 with robust year-round programming. Our approach is centered on whole-child development, specifically focusing on building problem-solving skills, fostering a strong sense of community responsibility, and instilling respect for self and others. By maintaining this multi-year commitment from the first to the ninth grade, HGW cultivates meaningful, long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated, supportive staff. Our program design and staff practices utilize a Positive Youth Development framework, prioritizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment to effectively meet the needs of our youth.

The cornerstone of our work is the five-week Summer Academy, which expertly blends high-quality academics-with a specific focus on math, humanities, literacy, and STEAM-with comprehensive social-emotional learning, arts instruction, swimming, and confidence-building opportunities.

Position Description

HGW is seeking a passionate and energetic individual who wishes to positively impact children's lives as a Summer Program Lifeguard. Swimming is a core component of the Horizons model and an essential part of our overall strategy to advance equity. Students often begin the program as non-swimmers who are afraid of the water. The Summer Program Lifeguard will work to ensure all students are safe in the water.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Swim Director the Lifeguard's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintain First Aid and safety supplies and report to the Swim Director when a need arises
• Attending orientation sessions (during the week of June 23) prior to the start of the program
• Protecting the health and safety of swimming pool patrons
• Ensure the safety of all swimmers and staff
• Responsible for surveying the entire pool, deck, and pool areas
• Maintain a daily log of all events, activities, and incidents that may occur
• Enforcing pool safety standards for all students and staff through consistent and open communication
• Working with aquatics facility staff to ensure students are adhering to all building rules and regulations

Requirements

Qualifications and Competencies

• Current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification (or the ability to secure such certification prior to the start of the program)
• Current American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer
• At least 16 years of age
• Must possess good leadership and decision-making skills
• Excellent swimming proficiency
• Preference will be given to candidates with 250 to 300 hours at a facility that conducts regular team training for lifeguards.

Compensation

The pay rate for this position is $23 per hour.

Lifeguard Certification Stipend

If you acquired a Lifeguard certification between September 2025 and June 1, 2026, HGW will reimburse the fees paid for your Lifeguard certification upon successful completion of your employment in our summer program.

Work Permits

Employees under the age of 18 must have a work permit from DC or MD.

How to Apply

Please fill out our online application which will include uploading a current copy of your resume. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning in mid-January. Final candidates will be subject to a reference check.

Background Check Requirements

All offers of employment to employees 18 or over are contingent on the successful completion of the background checks described below:

• Fingerprinting (FBI) (MD & DC)
• MD Criminal Database Background Check (MD)
• Maryland Child Protective Services Clearance (MD)
• DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR) (DC)
• Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check (DC)
• National Sex Offender Registry (DC)

All offers of employment at Horizons Greater Washington are contingent upon clear results of the above suitability checks. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates immediately after acceptance of employment offer and on all employees who are promoted, as deemed necessary.

COVID-19

Horizons Greater Washington is committed to providing and maintaining a workplace that is free of known hazards. As such, we strongly encourage our employees to receive the latest COVID vaccination to minimize the risk of infectious disease in our workplace.

Environmental and Physical Conditions

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of up to 20 pounds. Work includes regular time in a chlorinated pool and on commercial school buses. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with children and other staff. May be in situations which require conflict resolution. The employee must have visual, auditory, and physical ability to respond quickly to critical incidents involving students and act in an emergency situation.

Horizons Greater Washington is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, matriculation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, homeless status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.