| Pools | Designated Swimming Areas |
|---|---|
| Artesani Wading Pool (Brighton) | Carson Beach (S. Boston) |
| Melnea A. Cass Pool (Roxbury) | Castle Island (S. Boston) |
| Connors Memorial (Waltham) | M Street (S. Boston) |
| Dealtry Memorial Pool (Watertown) | Pleasure Bay (S. Boston) |
| Latta Brothers Memorial Pool (Somerville) | Shannon Beach (Winchester) |
| Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Magazine Beach) (Cambridge) | Wollaston Beach (Wollaston) |
| McCrehan Memorial Swimming Pool (Cambridge) | |
| Olsen Memorial Swimming Pool (Hyde Park) | |
| Reilly Swimming Pool (Chestnut Hill) | |
| Ryan Wading Pool (Boston) |
For Additional Information
For further information on working in the Boston Region or for information on upcoming swim assessments, certification courses or skill development opportunities please contact:
Owen Worden | (617) 645-0219 | dcr.pwsboston@mass.gov
To Apply
To apply for a position, please visit Pool and Waterfront Safety Application
DCR-Sponsored Lifeguard Certification Courses
DCR offers qualified lifeguard candidates that end up working for DCR over the upcoming summer an opportunity to become certified at no cost. Persons who participate in a DCR training program and then who do not to work for DCR over the course of the upcoming summer will be expected to pay for the certification course themselves. This cost can be upwards of $400.
Most DCR lifeguarding courses use a Blended Format. These classes have an online component that must be completed before the in-person pool sessions.
- The online component takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Please plan accordingly and distribute this learning over a period of days.
- Do not wait until the last minute to do the online training. Any issues with the technology or accessing the Red Cross training site must be resolved in time to allow completion of the online content before the in-person session. We recommend completing the online training at least one week prior to the in-person sessions.
- Candidates must print and bring proof of completion of the online content to the in-person session.
- Candidates who do not bring proof of completion to the in-person sessions will not be able to attend the in-person sessions and will not be eligible for certification. This is a Red Cross policy.
Boston Region Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Review and Waterfront Skills Courses
Successful completion of a Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding Review course will provide candidates with certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Certification is valid for two years.
Individuals looking to work at a DCR waterfront will also need to complete the Red Cross Waterfront Skills Module separate from the Red Cross Lifeguarding course. This six-hour course is typically scheduled in May and June. The YMCA Lifeguarding course includes waterfront certification.
Some YMCA Lifeguarding courses may include waterfront certification. If your YMCA Lifeguarding course contains Waterfront Skills, this should be noted on your certification. If your certification does not indicate Waterfront Skills, you will need to complete a Waterfront Skills course in order to work at a beach.
To be eligible for an American Red Cross Review course, your certification must be current. The Red Cross will allow a 30 day grace period for enrollment into a review course. If your certification has expired by 31 days or more you must take a full course to become certified.
To register for any of these courses, please contact our DCR-Boston team at dcr.pwsboston@mass.gov. Class sizes are limited, and registration is first-come, first-served, so don’t wait until the last few classes to get certified – there may be no spaces left.
You can also direct questions to our PWS Boston Region Manager Owen Worden at (617) 645-0219.
| Course Name | Dates | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | Feb 7-9, 2025 | 2/7 4:00-10:00pm 2/8 9:00-7:00pm 2/9 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding Recertification | Feb 14-15, 2025 | 2/14 4:00-10:00pm 2/15 9:00-1:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | Feb 21-23, 2025 | 2/21 4:00-10:00pm 2/22 9:00-7:00pm 2/23 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding Recertification | Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2025 | 2/28 4:00-10:00pm 3/1 9:00-1:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding Recertification | Mar 7-8, 2025 | 3/7 4:00-10:00pm 3/8 9:00-1:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | Mar 14-16, 2025 | 3/14 4:00-10:00pm 3/15 9:00-7:00pm 3/16 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | Mar 21-23, 2025 | 3/21 4:00-10:00pm 3/22 9:00-7:00pm 3/23 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding Recertification | Mar 28-29, 2025 | 3/28 4:00-10:00pm 3/29 9:00-1:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | April 4-6, 2025 | 4/4 4:00-10:00pm 4/5 9:00-7:00pm 4/6 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | April 11-13, 2025 | 4/11 4:00-10:00pm 4/12 9:00-7:00pm 4/13 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding Recertification | April 18-19, 2025 | 4/18 4:00-10:00pm 4/19 9:00-1:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | April 21-25, 2025 | 4/21-25 5:00 – 9:00pm | Medford |
| Lifeguarding – Blended Format* | April 22-24, 2025 | 4/22 4:00-10:00pm 4/23 9:00-7:00pm 4/24 9:00-3:00pm | Somerville |
| Lifeguarding Recertification | April 25-26, 2025 | 4/25 4:00-10:00pm 4/26 9:00-1:00pm | Somerville |
| Waterfront Skills Review | May 16, 2025 | 5/16 4:00-6:30pm | South Boston |
| Waterfront Skills | May 17, 2025 | 5/17 9:30am-4:00pm | South Boston |
| Waterfront Skills Review | May 30, 2025 | 5/30 4:00-6:30pm | South Boston |
| Waterfront Skills | May 31, 2025 | 5/31 9:30am-4:00pm | South Boston |
Boston Region CPR/AED Classes
Massachusetts state law requires lifeguards employed by the state or its municipalities to undergo CPR certification annually. If your CPR certification was issued before September 4, 2024, you will need to attend a CPR Basic Life Support / Professional Rescuer Review Course.
To register for any of these courses, please contact our PWS – Boston team via email at dcr.pwsboston@mass.gov. You can also direct questions to Owen Worden, PWS Boston Region Manager, at (617) 645-0219.
| Course Name | Dates | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Friday 12/20/24 | 10:00am-1pm | Roxbury |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 1/4/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Roxbury |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 1/4/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Revere |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 1/25/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Revere |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 2/20/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Revere |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 2/22/25 | 11:00am-2:00pm | Hull |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 3/8/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Roxbury |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 3/22/25 | 11:00am-2:00pm | Hull |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 3/22/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Revere |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Friday 4/11/25 | 4:00pm-7:00pm | Roxbury |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 4/22/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Revere |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Friday 4/25/25 | 4:00pm-7:00pm | Roxbury |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Review | Saturday 4/26/25 | 10:00am-1pm | Revere |
Contact
| Last updated: | March 13, 2024 |
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