Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00037

Department: Parks & Recreation

Division: Recreation Center - 4557

Job classification: Lifeguard-Swimming Pool-Part Time

Posting type: Open

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Athletics & Fitness, Sports

Summary

Help us create a safe and fun swimming environment for our community! As a Lifeguard, you’ll monitor pool areas, respond to emergencies when they arise, and help with the daily cleaning and upkeep of our aquatic facilities. Prior lifeguarding experience is preferred but not required. We’ll facilitate training and certification for qualified applicants who pass a pre-employment swimming skills and knowledge test.

This part-time position offers flexibility and work-life balance. It’s also a great opportunity to start a career in municipal government or related fields. Many of our former lifeguards have gone on to exciting careers in law enforcement, firefighting, EMT, and more.

About the Facilities:

Located at the Durango Community Recreation Center, our Aquatics Center is home to two pools, one 11-lane lap pool and one zero-depth leisure pool, as well as a 23-person hot tub and outdoor splash pad. The lap pool features public swimming lanes and one-meter and three-meter diving boards. The leisure pool features a current channel/lazy river, vortex, 160-foot waterslide, two lap lanes, and a shallow area with play features for children. During the summer months, our lifeguards may have shifts at Lake Nighthorse’s Swim Beach & Wibit Aqua Park in addition to Rec Center shifts.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence

The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

Examples of duties

What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Recognize and respond effectively in emergencies.
• Enforce all aquatic facility rules and regulations.
• Inspect the facility on a daily schedule and report any unsafe conditions or equipment problems to the supervisor.
• Perform cleaning duties as assigned by your supervisor.
• Complete records and reports.
• Participate in regular in-service training sessions.
• Maintain current required certifications.
• Exercise regularly to maintain strength and endurance.
• Attend and participate in professional meetings and stay informed of new trends and innovations in the field of recreation and facility management.

Qualifications

You Have:

• The ability to pass a pre-employment swimming and lifeguarding skills test.
• Current American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer Certifications, or the ability to obtain these upon hire.

You Will Succeed in This Role If You:

• Stay alert and can make quick decisions during emergencies.
• Provide friendly, high-quality customer service.
• Are reliable and available to work the scheduled hours for this position.

Supplemental information

What We Can Offer You: The following perks are available for part-time and seasonal employees.

• Free pass to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area
• Free Transit pass.
• Eligibility to participate in the City’s Annual Wellness Challenge and a chance to receive prizes and cash rewards.
• Flexible scheduling to work-life balance.

To view the full job description, click here.