DCR North Region Lifeguarding

DCR’s North Region offers lifeguard opportunities at thirteen different aquatic facilities:

Table of Contents

PoolsDesignated Swimming Areas
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Chelsea)Breakheart Reservation (Saugus)
Allied Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Everett)Constitution Beach (East Boston)
Geisler Memorial Swimming Pool, Lawrence (Lawrence)Nahant Beach Reservation (Nahant)
Lt. Colonel Edward J. Higgins Swimming Pool, Lawrence (Lawrence)Revere Beach Reservation (Revere)
Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool (Lowell)Salisbury Beach State Reservation (Salisbury)
Lt. Dennis C. Holland Memorial Swimming Pool (Malden)Walden Pond State Reservation (Concord)
Lawrence W. Lloyd Memorial Swimming Pool (Melrose) 

For Additional Information

For further information on working in the North Region or for information on upcoming swim assessments, certification courses or skill development opportunities please contact:

Francis Vidal     |     dcr.pwsnorth@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.

North 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.  

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-North team at dcr.pwsnorth@mass.gov.  Registration is first-come, first-served, so don’t wait until the last few classes to get recertified – there may be no spaces left. Participants must attend all class dates listed for each course.

Course NameDateTimeLocation
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 RecertificationFeb 14-15, 2025

2/14 4:00-10:00pm

2/15 9:00-1:00pm

Somerville
Lifeguarding – Blended Format*Feb 21-23, 2025

2/7 4:00-10:00pm

2/8 9:00-7:00pm

2/9 9:00-3:00pm

Somerville
Lifeguarding RecertificationFeb 28 – Mar 1, 2025

2/28  4:00-10:00pm

3/1 9:00-1:00pm

Somerville
Lifeguarding RecertificationMar 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 RecertificationMar 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 RecertificationApril 18-19, 2025

4/18  4:00-10:00pm

4/19 9:00-1:00pm

Somerville
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 RecertificationApril 25-26, 2025

4/25  4:00-10:00pm

4/26 9:00-1:00pm

Somerville
Waterfront CertificationMay 16, 202510:00-4:00pmRevere
Waterfront CertificationMay 28, 202510:00-4:00pmRevere
Waterfront CertificationJune 7, 202510:00-4:00pmRevere
Waterfront CertificationJune 12, 202510:00-4:00pmRevere

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

North 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 3, 2024, you will need to attend a CPR Basic Life Support / Professional Rescuer Review Course.

To register for any of these courses, please contact Francis Vidal via email dcr.pwsnorth@mass.gov.

Course NameDateTimeLocation
CPR Pro Rescuer Review12/28/202410:00-1:00pmLawrence
CPR Pro Rescuer Review1/4/202510:00-1:00pmRevere
CPR Pro Rescuer Review1/11/202510:00-1:00pmLawrence
CPR Pro Rescuer Review1/25/202510:00-1:00pmRevere
CPR Pro Rescuer Review2/18/202510:00-1:00pmLawrence
CPR Pro Rescuer Review2/20/202510:00-1:00pmRevere
CPR Pro Rescuer Review3/8/202510:00-1:00pmLawrence
CPR Pro Rescuer Review3/22/202510:00-1:00pmRevere
CPR Pro Rescuer Review4/12/202510:00-1:00pmLawrence
CPR Pro Rescuer Review4/22/202510:00-1:00pmRevere
CPR Pro Rescuer Review4/24/202510:00-1:00pmLawrence
CPR Pro Rescuer Review4/26/202510:00-1:00pmRevere
CPR Pro Rescuer Review4/29/202410:00-1:00pmLawrence

Contact   for DCR North Region Lifeguarding

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback