LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION  CLASSES

Lifeguard Recertification, Certification and Calendar of Upcoming Classes

Dear Community,

The Mount Rainier Pool is ramping up its efforts to grow not only its lifeguards and swim instructors, but to help other local pools, lakes and organizations. See below for Winter Break Programs, Free Training and Certifications Coming Next Year, and Other Upcoming Trainings.

HOLIDAY BREAK TRAININGS

The Mount Rainier Pool will be offering Lifeguard Recertification's and Lifeguard Certifications in December. Both programs are free with work commitment. Check links below for more detailed information.

• Lifeguard Recertification: Sunday, December 14, 7am-5pm (call for details)

• Lifeguard Certification Class: Starts December 29 (call for details)

FREE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

Now you do not need to commit to working at the Mount Rainier Pool, or start with great skills to become a lifeguard! The Mount Rainier Pool received a grant from King County Parks for a Community Lifeguarding Program. The program will be announced in early 2026, and will include free trainings, certifications and fun! This can open a word of opportunities including a great job for first-responder experience, a work-study job at many colleges and universities, and most of all a great job next to Mount Rainier High School that works with you to balance your academic and extracurricular activities.

OTHER UPCOMING TRAININGS

The Mount Rainier Pool will be hosting a variety of certification courses including Lifeguard Certification, Lifeguard Recertification, Lifeguard Instructor, and Water Safety Instructor. Below are opportunities through the start of Summer 2026.

LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION: The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification program trains participants in water rescue skills, CPR/AED, and first aid to prepare them to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Successful completion results in a two-year nationally recognized certification for professional lifeguards.

• Holiday Break Class*, Monday-Wednesday, December 29-31 & Friday, January 2, 10am-3pm
• Winter Break Class*, Friday-Monday, February 13-16, Noon-5pm
• Spring Break Class*, Monday-Thursday, April 6-9, Noon-5pm
• Summer Break Class*, Monday-Friday, June 29-July 3, Noon-5pm
• Late Summer Class, Information coming Late Spring 2026

LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION: The American Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification course refreshes and tests participants’ rescue, CPR/AED, and first aid skills to ensure continued readiness for aquatic emergencies. Upon successful completion, participants receive a renewed two-year lifeguard certification.

• Winter Break Class, Sunday, December 14, 7am-5pm
  Winter Class, Sunday, February 1, 7am-5pm
• Spring Class, Sunday, April 19, 7am-5pm
• Summer Class, Sunday, July 12, 7am-5pm

LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR (LGI): The American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor course trains experienced lifeguards to teach and certify others in lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and first aid. Candidates learn instructional methods, course management, and evaluation techniques to effectively prepare the next generation of professional lifeguards.

• Lifeguard Instructor (LGI), Friday-Monday, January 16-19, Call for Times

WATER SAFETY (SWIM LESSON) INSTRUCTOR TRAININGS: Click here to sign up for notifications of the next class. We plan on having a trainings listed through Summer (June) and more future dates to be announced. Exact dates and times for all classes are to be determined.

• Summer Break Class*, Monday-Thursday, June 22-25, 11am-4pm

OTHER UPCOMING TRAININGS: Sign up for our lifeguard certification, lifeguard recertification, or swim instructor notification lists for upcoming trainings. Click here to view these classes under the Training column. (Note-if we have enough people on interest lists, we may add classes.)

APPLY

There are two ways to start your application process.

• Application: Click here to complete a paper application. Follow directions on the site.
• Job Interest Card: Is this the first time you have applied for a job, or are you unsure about applying? Not a problem. Click here, complete this short survey, and a team member will reach out to you to answer any questions you may have.

WORK COMMITMENT

Before 2026, free trainings will require a work commitment at the Mount Rainier Pool. This will change in 2026, when the grant starts to cover the costs of training and certifications for all participants. The only caveat is that people willing to work at the Mount Rainier Pool will receive priority for open class spots. We owe this to our community to ensure that we have adequate staff to fully staff the facility for operational hours, and increasing capacity of swim lessons offered.