DCR Boston Region Lifeguarding

The DCR Boston Region offers lifeguard opportunities at sixteen different aquatic facilities:

Table of Contents

PoolsDesignated 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) 

To Apply

New applicants looking to work in the Boston region must complete a swim assessment. The swim assessment will help determine whether you will be referred for additional stroke development or scheduled to enroll in a lifeguarding course. The swim assessment may also influence whether you are eligible for placement at a pool or beach location.

For further information on working in the Boston Region, or for information on upcoming swim assessments, certification courses or skill development opportunities please submit a Pool & Waterfront Safety Interest Form or contact: 

Owen Worden |  (617) 645-0219  |  dcr.pwsboston@mass.gov 

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 course is typically scheduled in May and June.  The YMCA Lifeguarding course includes waterfront certification.

To register for any of these courses, please contact our DCR-Boston team at dcr.pwsboston@mass.govClass 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 may also reach our PWS Boston Region Manager Owen Worden at (617) 645-0219.

Course NameDatesTimeLocation
Lifeguarding ReviewThursday & Friday
2/22/24 – 2/23/24
 
10:00am – 4:30pmWeymouth
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*2/16/24, 2/17/24, 2/18/242/16: 4pm-10pm
2/17: 9am-7pm
2/18: 9am-3pm
Somerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*3/11/24 – 3/15/24 5:00pm – 9:00pm Medford
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*3/15/24 – 3/17/243/15: 4pm-10pm, 3/16: 9am-7pm, 3/16 9am-3pmSomerville
Lifeguarding Review3/22/24, 3/23/244:00pm-10:00pm, 9:00am-1:00pmSomerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*3/25/24 – 3/29/24 5:00pm – 9:00pm Medford
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*4/5/24, 4/6/24, 4/7/244/5: 4pm-10pm, 4/6: 9am-7pm,
4/4 9am-3pm
Somerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*4/17/24  -  4/19/243:00pm-10:00pmSomerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*4/22/24 – 4/26/24 5:00pm – 9:00pm Medford
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/188:30am-2:30pm each dayRoslindale
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/1811:00am-4:00pm each dayRoxbury
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/1811:30am-4:30pm each dayEast Boston
Lifeguarding Review4/26/24 - 4/27/244/26: 4pm-10pm 4/27: 9am-1pmSomerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*5/10/24 - 5/12/245/10: 4pm-10pm,
5/11: 9am-7pm,
5/12: 9am-3pm
Somerville
Lifeguarding- Blended Format*5/11/24-5/19/245/11 & 5/12: 8am-5pm, 5/14-5/16: 5pm-9pm, 5/19: 8am-2pmRoxbury
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*5/13/24 – 5/17/24 5:00pm – 9:00pm Medford
Lifeguarding Review5/17/24 - 5/18/245/17: 4pm-10pm 5/18: 9am-1pmSomerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/1511:00am-4:00pm each dayRoxbury
Waterfront SkillsSaturday, 5/18/249:30 am – 4:00 pmSouth Boston
Waterfront SkillsSaturday, 6/1/249:30 am – 4:00 pmSouth Boston
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*6/7/24, 6/8/24, 6/9/244:00pm-10:00pm, 9:00am-7:00pm, 9:00am-3:00pmSomerville
Waterfront SkillsSaturday, 6/8/249:30 am – 4:00 pmSouth Boston
Lifeguarding Review6/14/24, 6/15/244:00pm-10:00pm, 9:00am-1:00pmSomerville
Waterfront SkillsSaturday, 6/15/249:30 am – 4:00 pmSouth Boston

*Contains about 8 hours online work due before the first class session.

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 2, 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 NameDateTimeLocation
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewSaturday, 1/13/2410am – 1pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewMonday, 2/19/241pm – 4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewTuesday, 2/20/2410am – 1pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewWednesday, 2/21/241pm – 4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewTuesday, 3/5/244pm – 7pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewThursday, 3/7/241pm – 4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewTuesday, 3/12/241pm – 4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewThursday, 3/14/241pm – 4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewThursday, 3/28/245:30pm – 9pmSomerville
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewSaturday, 3/30/249:30am-12:30pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewThursday, 4/9/245:30pm – 9pmSomerville
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewTuesday, 4/16/244pm – 7pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewWednesday, 4/17/241pm – 4pmRoxbury
ASHI/HSI CPR/AED ReviewFriday, 4/19/2412pm-4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewSunday, 4/28/2410am – 1pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewSaturday, 5/11/2410am – 1pmHyde Park
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewTuesday, 5/14/245:30pm- 9pmSomerville
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewWednesday, 5/15/241pm – 4pmCambridge
ASHI/HSI CPR/AED ReviewFriday, 5/17/2412pm-4pmRoxbury
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewTuesday, 5/21/245:30pm- 9pmSomerville
CPR/AED Pro Rescuer ReviewThursday, 6/20/245:30pm – 9pmSomerville

Contact   for DCR Boston Region Lifeguarding

Last updated: March 13, 2024

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