Certified Lifeguard & Swim Instructor - Washington D.C.

The Position

At Headfirst, we design fun, intentional, and transformational camp experiences where every camper feels seen, known, and celebrated. GrowthÂ

doesn't

 happen by accident—it happens by design. Through thoughtfully planned activities and trained staff, we create what we callÂ

Headfirst Moments

when a camper tries something new, pushes through fear, and realizes, "I can do it."

Headfirst Summer Camp Certified Lifeguards supervise pool safety during swim classes. This includes assisting in swim testing for recreational swim blocks. We provide the pool policies & daily camp schedules along with all equipment for a successful day at the pool but need you to bring camp to life with your enthusiasm and eye for safety.

Camper Ages

3-12 years old

Activities include:Â

Swimming supervision, reinforcement of safety policies and guidelines, administration of first aid

and

CPR, back boarding, and emergency procedures as needed

Role Information

Schedule:

In-season (late June through mid August): 7:45 am – 3:30 pm Monday – Friday

Pre-season (early June): select weekends for training and site preparation

Compensation

$13 - 18 / hour

What You'll Do

• Big Picture: Keep the Aquatics Area Safe and Bring a Love of Swimming to Life
• Supervise swimming activities and ensure that policies, guidelines, and safety procedures are followed and understood by both campers and staff, with retraining as needed
• Administer first aid in the event of injury, rescue swimmers in distress or danger of drowning, and administer CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary
• Implement Headfirst's safety protocols on supervision, bathrooms, emergency policies, and pool safety procedures
• Attend in-season safety trainings and consistently strive for personal growth in learning swim instruction and improving first responder skills
• Execute morning and afternoon carpool as a key player, welcoming each family to camp by name with fantastic dance moves and coordinated carpool procedures
• Nurture Physical, Social & Emotional Safety
• Work directly with campers to support them in their emotional, physical, and social development through hands-on exploration and developmentally appropriate activities
• Get to know each camper's individual swim needs and encourage developmentally and individually appropriate growth in swim skills
• Represent Headfirst for Families & Facility Partners
• Represent the Headfirst brand daily to families at carpool and to school facility partners throughout the summer by being enthusiastic, helpful, hands-on, and in uniform
• Actively participate in our efforts to take care of our camp facility and community
• Be an Active Member of the Camp Team
• Arrive on time, communicate schedule changes promptly, be a loyal and consistent team member who shows up for the campers and your team
• Be flexible with your assignment and open to supporting other programs on site
• Handle the Curveballs
• Practice resiliency and arrive with a "How Can I Help?" mentality that puts camper experience and team success at the forefront through problem solving and trying new things

About You

Must be at least 16 years old with at least (2) years of high school completed or equivalent professional experience.

Experience

• Experience is preferred, but not required

Must Be Able To

• Swim and be in a swimming pool for extended periods of time.
• Work around small children including, sitting, standing, running, and climbing stairs for the full day.
• Work in hot and outdoor environments while actively supervising campers and participating in dynamic activities for extended periods of time.
• Lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.
• Committed to adhering to Cell-Phone Free policy, powering down and putting away cell phones in a locked pouch for the duration of your shift.

Required Certification

• Lifeguard Certification and First Aid
  
  

CPR Certification

, or the ability to complete these prior to May 30

Note

Certifications are

Required

by the first day of camp – plus, you'll be eligible for our lifeguard certification bonus!

Headfirst Summer Camps is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and inclusivity across our Headfirst community, and we strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups and those who might need reasonable accommodation to apply.

About Headfirst

Headfirst delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality summer and youth experiences built to elevate potential and exceed expectations. For over 25 years,Â

we've

 partnered with families, schools, and organizations to create environments where kids feel supported, challenged, and confident trying new things.

What makes Headfirst different is intentionality. WeÂ

don't

 wait and hope growth happens - weÂ

design for

 it. Our programs are carefully structured, and our staff are trained to spot, create, and celebrate breakthrough moments. TheseÂ

Headfirst Moments -Â

when a camper pushes past fear, tries something new, or surprises themselves - are built into every day.

We believe great experiences are built on relationships. Our teams prioritize genuine connection, creating welcoming environments where campers feel seen and known, staff feel supported, and families trust that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. Behind the scenes, a professional, year-round Headquarters team supports our seasonal staff with training, systems, and clearÂ

expectations

 so camps run smoothly and consistently.

When you join Headfirst,Â

you're

 joining a team that takes pride in doing things well. We care deeply about the experience we deliver, the people we work with, and the impact we have on kids and families. The work is meaningful, the standards are high, and the summers are unforgettable.