Hourly pay up to $27; free lifeguard training classes offered through May; positions available in Boston, Revere, Lawrence, Cambridge, Somerville, Chelsea, Watertown, Everett, Malden and Waltham
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced a targeted effort to recruit lifeguards, swim instructors and other waterfront safety personnel for agency-managed pools and beaches in Greater Boston and communities north of the city ahead of the summer season, where the agency continues to see its greatest hiring needs. Hourly salaries for certified lifeguard applicants range from $22 to $27, with additional bonuses available for staff who work through the end of the season.
“Spending time in and around the water is an essential part of summer in Massachusetts, and our ability to safely open our pools and beaches depends on having well-trained lifeguards and water safety staff in place,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “Many of our lifeguards return year after year, but we still have critical hiring needs in Boston and communities north of the city. These are good-paying jobs that offer an opportunity to serve the public, gain valuable experience, and play a direct role in keeping families and visitors safe.”
DCR’s Bureau of Pool and Waterfront Safety is making a concerted effort to staff pools and beaches across its Boston and northern regions, which include:
Artesani Playground Wading Pool, Brighton
Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool, Cambridge
Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Magazine Beach), Cambridge
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool, Chelsea
Allied Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool, Everett
Geisler Memorial Swimming Pool, Lawrence
Lt. Col. Edward J. Higgins Swimming Pool, Lawrence
Lt. Dennis C. Holland Memorial Swimming Pool, Malden
Lloyd Memorial Pool, Melrose
Revere Beach, Revere
Melnea A. Cass Swimming Pool, Roxbury
Salisbury Beach, Salisbury
Latta Brothers Memorial Pool, Somerville
Connors Memorial Swimming Pool, Waltham
Clarence W. Dealtry Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool, Watertown
Shannon Beach, Winchester
While DCR’s greatest staffing needs are in the North and Boston regions, the agency is continuing to recruit water safety staff for the summer for properties in other areas of the state.
To apply for a lifeguard position, candidates must be at least 16 years old by their date of hire, complete lifeguard training, and be certified in first aid and CPR. Free lifeguard training classes are offered by DCR through May for candidates who commit to working before the start of the summer season. For more information on the available trainings, visit DCR’s lifeguard webpage or contact Eric Hammermeister-Kahn, Director of Pool and Waterfront Safety Training, at Eric.Hammermeister-Kahn@mass.gov.
Most of DCR’s pool and waterfront positions are seasonal, with a 40-hour workweek, including weekends and holidays. Limited part-time lifeguard and instructor positions (up to 20 hours per week) may also be available. To learn more about available pool and waterfront positions or to apply for open positions, visit DCR’s lifeguard webpage.
DCR will open its 81 designated swimming areas across Massachusetts on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25, 2026). The swimming season will run through Labor Day – Monday, September 7, 2026. DCR swimming pools will operate June 20 through August 16, subject to staff availability. DCR will provide lifeguard services at 16 “extended season” beaches beginning on May 23rd with weekend only coverage until mid-June when coverage will expand to daily operations and to additional waterfront areas, pending staff availability. Lifeguard services will end at most DCR swimming areas on Sunday, August 16th. Lifeguard services at the extended season beaches will continue through Labor Day, pending staff availability.
DCR is working closely with partner state agencies, local officials, municipalities, schools and workforce organizations to expand outreach about these opportunities for good paying summer employment. As part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to water safety, DCR continues to expand its efforts to recruit multilingual lifeguards and water safety staff to better serve visitors at state beaches and pools. The agency is running multilingual recruitment advertising campaigns across the MBTA transit system, on digital highway message boards and in multicultural media outlets across the state.
In addition to water safety roles, DCR is hiring for a range of seasonal positions for the upcoming summer season including park rangers, interpreters, forestry assistants, building and ground maintenance workers, campground and park operations staff and office assistants. Interested applicants can learn more on DCR’s seasonal recruitment webpage.