Join Our Team
There’s a self-care revolution happening in the daily lives of people everywhere. Join the Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District team and help create places where our community can stay active, play, connect, and relax.
HRVPRD manages the Hood River Aquatic Center, eight parks, and six miles of trails. We’re a small, public service-oriented team with seven full-time employees and approximately 50 part-time and seasonal employees—all working together to make the Hood River Valley a great place to live, work, and play.
Why Work for HRVPRD?
Flexible seasonal schedules
Competitive pay
Opportunities to stay involved in the community
Support for local parks and recreation programs
Positive and fun work environment
Training opportunities for qualified candidates
Explore our current job openings below and find your opportunity to make a difference in the Hood River Valley.
The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry level lifeguard participants
with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies.
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October 2026 - All of the below dates are MANDATORY to receive a certification.
September 26th | 9am - 5pm
September 27th | 9am - 5pm
October 3rd | 9am - 5pm
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The total cost of the course is $250.
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Prerequisite testing takes place at the start of the first in-person class session. We recommend practicing swimming skills prior to the start of the course.
American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course Prerequisites:
Must be at least 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of the course
Complete two swimming skills evaluations:
Swimming Prerequisite 1: complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest
Jump into water and totally submerge, resurface and then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both
Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs
Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both
Swimming Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event with 1 minute and 40 seconds
Starting in the water, swim 20 yards
Submerge to a depth of 7 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object
Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out or near the surface
Exit the water without using the ladder or steps
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Location
The lifeguarding course is conducted at the Hood River Aquatic Center.
Preparing to Take the Lifeguard Course
The lifeguarding course is designed for people that have no previous training or knowledge in lifeguarding. However, to pass the prerequisites and complete the course, candidates must be strong swimmers.
For people interested in taking the course, we recommend practicing lap swimming, treading water, and submerging to depths of seven feet or greater before the start of the course. Swimming skills may be practiced during public lap swim hours. A 10-pound brick will be provided upon request.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be issued the following American Red Cross Certificate: Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. The certificate is valid for 2 years.
Course Completion Requirements
To successfully complete the course and earn a certificate, participants must:
Complete all online course content by the assigned deadline
Attend all scheduled class sessions and participate in all class lectures, skill practices, activities, and drills
Demonstrate proficiency in all skills
Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent
Pass the three final skill assessments
Additional Resources
American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course Fact Sheet
Questions
For lifeguard course information not listed on this page, email the Aquatic Center Supervisor.