Starting Pay: $14 per hour

Location: Rapid City, SD

Benefits: Free YMCA Membership for all employees!

Back home for the summer and looking for something better than another boring job? At the YMCA, lifeguarding is a chance to stay active, reconnect with your community, and spend your summer doing something that actually matters. You will work with a great team, build real skills, and be part of a place where people come to feel safe, supported, and welcome.

As a Lifeguard, you are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone in and around the pool. You stay alert, aware, and ready to act, using your training to prevent emergencies and respond quickly when needed. You will also help lead YMCA swim programs, working with kids, families, and members of all ages. Some days that means helping a child gain confidence in the water, other days it means keeping a busy pool running smoothly. Either way, you are part of creating an environment where people can relax and have fun because they know someone is looking out for them.

This is a team-focused role where you will work closely with other lifeguards and staff throughout your shift. You will communicate often, support each other, and take pride in keeping the pool area safe and organized. Part of that includes testing chlorine levels, pH balance, and water temperature to make sure everything is within the proper range. If something is off, you take initiative and work with maintenance and leadership to fix it. You will also help keep equipment in good condition and follow all safety procedures, including handling situations that require quick action and attention to detail.

Beyond the pool itself, you will be one of the faces people associate with their experience at the Y. You will answer questions, give directions, and interact with members in a way that makes them feel comfortable and welcome. Whether you are catching up with familiar faces or meeting new people, you help create the kind of community atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

There is also a level of responsibility that comes with the role. You will complete incident and accident reports when needed, making sure details are accurate and submitted on time. It is an important part of maintaining safety standards and improving how we operate.

This job is about more than filling a summer schedule. It is about being part of something local, building skills you will carry with you, and working with people who make the day go by fast. If you are certified, dependable, and looking for a summer job that keeps you moving and lets you make a real impact, we would love to have you on the team.