Lifeguarding at Connecticut State Parks

Lifeguard Program

Work a summer job that matters, and master life skills of leadership, communication, and teamwork at the same time. Spend your summer lifeguarding on the beach where you’ll work as a team, form lasting friendships— and earn a great addition to your resume or college application! All training is paid and includes free certifications.

Expert Instruction

All of our guards are trained and guided by seasoned professionals. Becoming a lifeguard for the state is unlike any job you’ll ever have, with high stakes and real-world experience. At our parks you will have the potential to feel the rush of saving a life while comfortable in the heat of the action!

Elite Fitness

Our lifeguards undergo physical training (PT) every day. Some of the PT you can expect to experience includes but is not limited to: jetty to jetty runs, buoy swims, yoga, kayaking, and rescue board races. Our guards are the most fit and well prepared in the state. They are able to reach potential victims in record time which continues to save lives.

Lifetime Legacy

Our lifeguard program has deep roots going back to the 1920s. In joining one of our squads, you will be connected to lifeguards from the past who have gone on to leadership roles within various different career paths. We support our lifeguards in any professional endeavors they pursue through this Legacy Network.

Position Highlights

Pay: $20.00 - $21.00/ hour. No benefits.
DEEP will provide all training required to work as a lifeguard at the State Park beaches. Training time is paid!
Duration: Memorial Day Weekend (May 26th) through Labor Day (September 1st).
Schedule: Lifeguards work daily shifts from 10AM - 6PM, five days a week. July 4th is mandatory. Weekends and other holidays are preferred.

Opportunities are available at the following State Parks:

Black Rock State Park, Watertown
Burr Pond State Park, Torrington
Hammonasset State Park, Madison
Indian Well State Park, Shelton
Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
Sherwood Island State Park, Westport
Silver Sands State Park, Milford
Squantz Pond State Park, New Fairfield

Additional part-time opportunities are available at the following State Parks:

Burr Pond State Park, Torrington
Indian Well State Park, Shelton
Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
Silver Sands State Park, Milford

Apply Now for the 2025 Summer Season

JUNIOR LIFEGUARDING

Welcome to our Junior Lifeguarding program!

Our program is broken in two groups based on age: Junior Guards & Cadets.

The Junior Guard program is for anyone who is 14 years old or younger. The goal of the program is to teach the JR guards about water safety, become familiar with lifeguard equipment & terminology, learn how to perform basic water saves, & learn First Aid skills including "Stop the Bleed". The Junior Guard program typically runs in 1-week sessions (Monday-Friday) during July and/or August, typically starting the Monday after July 4th.

The Cadet program is for anyone 15 years old or 16 year olds that turn 16 after the deadline to work for us. The cadets progress through the skills twice as fast as the younger junior guards. This separate accelerated program allows the cadets more responsibilities & allows them to be better prepared to potentially work as a lifeguard for our program the following summer when they are of age. The Cadet program typically runs as one 4-6 week program where the cadets meet 2 or 3 days a week starting in mid to late June and ending at the end of July or early August. The first two weeks are typically done as an introduction/bootcamp with the subsequent weeks focusing on implementing the skills learned, learning the day-to-day tasks a CT State Park Lifeguard does, & completing PT and skill drills.

Interested? Fill out this form https://forms.office.com/g/ReXRVHPUA5

COMING SOON!! See "ABOUT" tab for interest form for Summer 2025!

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