New Orleans is racing the calendar to get its neighborhood pools open on time, and the city needs teen lifeguards to pull it off. NORD has kicked off a citywide hiring blitz for roughly 150 summer lifeguard jobs across its 17 community pools. The seasonal gigs run about 90 days, pay around $17.58 an hour, and come with free Red Cross lifeguard certification picked up by the commission. Applicants must be at least 15 years old and should show up with a photo ID, Social Security card, original birth certificate, and a signed work permit. A hiring fair is set for March 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Milne Recreation Center.
How many lifeguards and what they’ll be paid
According to WDSU, NORD’s aquatics director says the commission needs about 150 lifeguards to fully staff all 17 community pools for the summer season. WDSU also reports that the position pays $17.58 per hour and that NORD will cover the cost of Red Cross lifeguard certification for those who are hired. The station notes that applicants should bring the required documents to the hiring fair so they can be processed quickly.
Where and when to apply
As outlined in a City of New Orleans newsletter, the hiring fair will be held at Milne Recreation Center at 5420 Franklin Ave. The bulletin says NORD offers regular training sessions for prospective lifeguards and directs jobseekers to NORD’s jobs page for a full rundown of openings and training schedules.
Why this push matters
This recruitment effort follows several summers when staffing shortages kept some neighborhood pools closed, shrinking already limited options for families looking to cool off, as Axios reported. On top of that, FOX 8 New Orleans reported that some city lifeguards in 2025 dealt with delayed paychecks, a payroll snag that raised alarms for workers counting on steady summer income. With municipal budget pressures and staffing cuts in the mix, city officials have extra incentive to get these seasonal positions filled and functioning smoothly.
How to apply
Prospective lifeguards are encouraged to arrive early to the March 4 hiring fair and be ready to complete the process on the spot, paperwork in hand. Full job listings and online application options are available through NORD’s jobs page. NORD says it will handle all training and certification at no cost to new lifeguards. For teens trying to juggle sports, summer classes, and a paycheck, the roles offer predictable hours and a chance to walk away with certified lifesaving skills that last beyond one New Orleans summer.
