When the majority think of summer jobs for lifeguards, pictures of crowded beaches or busy community pools come to mind. What about using that lifeguard certification for an unconventional job opportunity? If you would like to go above and beyond the conventional, you can find many out-of-the-way areas that are in unusual demand for lifeguarding skills and even lifeguarding instructors.
These odd places might just be the reason why this could end up being the best summer of your life, whether you are looking for adventure, putting up with a lot of people, or just want to grab the attention of the employers’ market. Here is a full dive into the unique environment where your certification should make quite a splash:
Resorts in the Mountain or Desert
While one may think it rather odd, many luxury mountain resorts or deserts come with luxury pools, spas, and man-made lagoons. These resorts cater to very wealthy travellers who look for seclusion on the rare occasion that these pools, lagoons, or spas are included in the description!
Some employers in these remote places are severely struggling to find personnel with American lifeguard certification. And this is where your competitive strength lies. Another benefit that comes with working in a place so far out of the way may be housing, food, and recreation on or around the property.
Bonus tip: Apply very early and through the resort websites directly. Be sure to highlight being adaptable and willing to work in isolated locations.
Cruise Ships and Private Yachts
Luxury cruise lines and private yacht charters are increasingly hiring certified lifeguards to ensure passenger safety during swimming and water sports. With travel, adventure, and responsibility, this job has it all.
Cruise ships generally offer contract-based summer employment that includes food and lodging while travelling from port to port in exotic locations. Not only would you be overseeing swimming pools, but you could also be giving directions during snorkelling excursions or enforcing safety at onboard water parks.
For lifeguard instructors, being able to train other crew in water safety could be a bonus — and a means of earning extra money or being promoted.
Wild Summer Camps
Traditional summer camps hire lifeguards every single year; however, there exist some lesser-known camps where having certification is greatly appreciated. Consider programs like equestrian camps, survival training institutes, or camps for children with disabilities. Such environments may feature small lakes, rivers, or indoor water therapy pools.
Being a lifeguard in such camps usually bears much more than merely standing watch over the water. One may be encouraging an inclusive program for swimming; teaching water confidence to kids; and working alongside therapists in adaptive settings. An extremely gratifying role to have when you can truly make a difference!
Some of these camps are secluded, so check how comfortable you are with nature and rustic living. In return, friendships, strong leadership experience, and lasting memories could be built.
Indoor Water Parks and Hotel Aquatic Centers
Don’t mind spending the summer in sweltering, outside work? Think again indoor venues will keep you cool as well as the largest hotel chains with extravagant water amenities. Thus, these are facilities that never go out of business at any time of the year except for summer, when there is a sudden surge in attendance by clients. The best of it all is that they enjoy a humid and predictable indoor facility setting.
You will also get some places where you can grow up from becoming a lifeguard instructor to being promoted into facility management. Just like safety, hotels and water parks put a huge regard on customer service, so if you’ve got a friendly, professional demeanour, you’re likely to stand out as a top candidate.
Sets of Films and Venues for Events
Moving yourself into the category of certified lifeguard jobs by the most unlikely means is through movie sets or event venues. The requirement for trained lifeguards on standby at beach parties, lake adventures, or glamour shots at the pool is often put in by film productions shooting such scenes.
Event planners may also book lifeguards for temporary jobs on-site, which may be required by huge pool parties, water features in festivals, or promotional activations. These types of jobs, while they tend to be ad hoc and short in duration, often pay very well and allow entry into some interesting industries. Flexibility in working odd hours, and maintaining a very high level of professionalism would be required.
Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Centers
Skills can also be utilized in therapeutic settings like patients recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions, where lifeguards supervise aquatic therapy sessions. Roles are typically found in medical centres or specialized private rehabilitation clinics.
In this job, you could also function alongside physical therapists to ensure the security of the pool during exercise activities for both patients and staff. It may not be a very energetic workplace, but such a job brings something of stability and a better sense of meaning. If you’re a lifeguard instructor, all that will be well qualified include valuable training for staff in emergency response and rescue techniques.
Zoos, Aquariums, and Wildlife Parks
They might have the very zoos and wildlife parks that have contained aquatic interactive exhibits, where guests swim with animals, play at splash pads, and snorkel even in controlled environments. Here, lifeguards are the ones needed both to oversee how the crowds are managed and how the animals interact with them.
Such jobs rotate between safety duties and public education, wherein you may be engaged to give short talks answer questions posed by curious visitors, or possibly help out in feeding demonstrations. – It’s a great match for people who enjoy working with others, animals, and water all at a true triple win.
Floating Attractions and Artificial Islands
Tourism keeps innovating; floating hotels, artificial islands, and floating water parks are built in various parts of the globe. These rare, man-made environments are often operational only in a season and require certified lifeguards who can adapt to variable conditions.
Some of these peculiar destinations are experimental and avant-garde, intended for travellers who want something new and edgy. In your part-time job, you get to do not only lifeguarding but also participate in a lot of activities, oversee obstacle courses, and work in international staff teams.
If you can speak multiple languages and are adventurous, these jobs will be right for you. If you are willing to travel and have quick adaptability, this might turn out to be your most adventurous summer.
Think Out-Of-The-Box But Stay Certified
Keep those certifications alive. Somewhere between the desert resort, film set, or floating park, the importance lies in being updated at all times. Employers need proof that you are certified, but they will take a step further and want to see if you are confident and updated in your skills.
Check the specific certification requirements for CPR, first aid, and water-rescue techniques for any of these odd situations before applying. Getting certified as a lifeguard instructor boosts your resume and opens up leadership roles as instructor or leader.
Especially, the American Lifeguard Association is one of the lifeguarding certifying bodies, offering lifeguard certification programs that are recognized across the country. Their flexible training formats and wide recognition make them an excellent choice for anyone in search of jobs in unconventional settings.
Final Word
This summer you should not just follow; rather, it is time to lead this charge into those new waters. With the ability to hold a lifeguard certificate, your job hunt does not begin or end at the beach. Odd yet rewarding places far away from the oceans, from lavish desert resorts to quirky floating hotels, look forward to employing your experience and expertise.
So get your rescue tube out, brush that resume of yours, and prepare to enter the unknown. In lifeguarding, the water itself is just the start.
