Chicago Opens 2027 Summer Lifeguard Applications
The Park District is hiring for over 77 pools and 22 beaches with pay starting at $21.25 per hour for lifeguards.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Swimming
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The Chicago Park District is officially accepting applications for lifeguard and shallow water attendant positions for the 2027 summer season. These roles are essential for the operation of the city's 22 beaches and 77 public swimming pools.
Why it matters
Securing early applicants is vital for the Park District to ensure its aquatic facilities remain open and safe for the public throughout the summer. The district aims to match its previous hiring success, which saw more than 700 staff members brought on last year.
The Chicago Park District is launching its 2027 hiring cycle, aiming to meet or exceed its 2025 recruitment of over 700 lifeguards. While pay rates for 2027 are set at $21.25 per hour for lifeguards and $18.52 for shallow water attendants, the final target staffing number remains unknown.
The players
Chicago Park District
The agency responsible for maintaining Chicago’s 22 public beaches and 77 swimming pools.
The details
To qualify, applicants must successfully complete a swim skills test involving a 200-yard timed swim, a 20-yard underwater swim, and the retrieval of an underwater object. Candidates are trained through an American Red Cross Blended Learning Waterfront Lifeguard Training Course, for which the district provides a $200 completion stipend. Shallow water attendants are specifically tasked with supervising water playgrounds and pools with depths of four feet or less.
Timeline
November 13, 2026: The first swim skills test at Whitney Young High School.
March 1, 2027: The date the Park District begins assigning personnel to specific locations.
Summer 2027: The operational season for city beaches and pools.
Health Landscape
Public beach and pool safety relies on standardized testing and certification protocols provided by the American Red Cross Blended Learning Waterfront Lifeguard Training Course. This structured approach to staff qualification is a national standard for ensuring consistent lifeguard preparedness.
These hiring efforts directly impact the availability of supervised swim areas across the city for the coming summer. Residents interested in aquatic fitness or community safety should confirm that their preferred local pool or beach is fully staffed for the season.
The takeaway
Reliable aquatic supervision is dependent on these seasonal hiring cycles and rigorous skill testing. Interested candidates should prepare for the initial November 13 skills assessment by focusing on the required 200-yard endurance swim and underwater retrieval techniques.
What happens next
The first scheduled swim skills test for candidates will take place on November 13, 2026, at Whitney Young High School.
Further reading
Find more details on local aquatic safety and facility staffing at Chicago Swimming.
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