City of Phoenix offering up to $3,000 bonus to eligible pool staff members

The city of Phoenix will hold lifeguard interviews in March, and applicants must be at least 15 years old. 

The city of Phoenix is in need of people to staff its pools in 2025—and it’s offering some extra cash to bring in workers. 

The Parks and Recreation Department is offering $3,000 in incentive pay to certified managers and assistant managers. 

Certified swim instructors will get $2,000, while certified lifeguards will receive $1,500 and shallow-water lifeguards will get $1,000.

The pay isn’t all upfront, though. To receive the full bonus, workers must become certified, work the entire summer—including a minimum of three days in August—and finish the season in good standing. 

Managers and assistant managers will receive an extra $500 on their first paycheck, while other eligible employees will receive $250. The rest of the bonus comes as a one-time payment at the end of the season. 

The city will hold lifeguard interviews on March 22. Applicants must be at least 15 years old. 

Here are the hourly rates for the positions:

• pool managers: $23.74 or $26.18/hour
• assistant pool managers: $21.54/hour
• swim instructors: $19.54/hour
• lifeguards: $17.72/hour
• shallow-water lifeguards: $16.88/hour

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