Join the Aquatics Team: Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) at Fort Leonard Wood

If you are a certified lifeguard looking for a meaningful position supporting service members and their families, the United States Army Installation Management Command has an exciting opportunity. Fort Leonard Wood Aquatics is currently hiring Recreation Aids (Lifeguards) to join their Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) team in south-central Missouri.

This flexible Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) position offers competitive hourly pay, on-base amenity privileges, and the chance to serve an active military community. Below is a complete guide on duties, qualification requirements, pay rates, and step-by-step application advice.

About the Agency: Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR)

The Department of the Army's Family & MWR division is dedicated to building strong, ready, and resilient military communities. MWR provides military personnel, veterans, and civilian staff with high-quality recreational programs, childcare facilities, hospitality services, and fitness centers.

Life at Fort Leonard Wood

Located in Pulaski County within the scenic Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Fort Leonard Wood is a premier Army Center of Excellence training nearly 80,000 military members and civilians annually. Spanning over 62,000 acres, the installation is situated near vibrant local communities such as Waynesville and St. Robert, with St. Louis just two hours east and Springfield an hour west.

Position Overview & Core Responsibilities

As a Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) classified at the NF-01 pay band, you will work under the direction of the Installation Aquatics Program Manager at both indoor and outdoor pool facilities. You will play a vital role in maintaining safety standards, managing pool operations, and conducting water surveillance.

Key Duties Include:

Pool Surveillance & Rescue: Provide vigilant aquatic observation, respond quickly to water emergencies, perform rescues, and administer basic first aid or CPR as required.
Safety Enforcement: Educate pool patrons on health and safety procedures. Tactfully address rule infractions following facility Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Training Assistance: Assist certified instructors with American Red Cross swimming lessons or military aquatic survival training programs (TC 21-21).
Facility Maintenance & Water Testing: Conduct periodic chemical water tests, keep logs, report findings to facility leadership, and ensure pool areas remain clean and hazard-free.
Emergency Drills: Actively participate in mandatory on-the-job rescue simulations and emergency action plan rehearsals.

Qualification & Certification Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet strict safety certification standards before applying. Your resume must clearly reflect these credentials.

Required Certifications:

Lifeguarding & First Aid: Current certification from the American Red Cross or a nationally recognized equivalent (e.g., Star Guard, YMCA, ELLIS).
CPR/AED: Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer or CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (American Red Cross or American Heart Association equivalent).

Note: Rating decisions are made solely based on the text provided in your resume. Make sure your certifications, issuing organizations, and expiration dates are explicitly documented.

Compensation & Position Breakdown

This position is offered under a flexible schedule without guaranteed set hours (working anywhere from 0 to 40 hours per week based on facility operating requirements).

Position Element	Details
Job Title	Recreation Aid (Lifeguard)
Pay Band	NF-01
Hourly Rate	$15.00 – $16.00 per hour
Schedule Type	Flexible (0 – 40 hours/week)
Location	Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Position Type	Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF)
Relocation Expenses (PCS)	Not Authorized
Security Clearance	Not Required (Low Risk/Non-Sensitive)

Benefits of Army NAF Employment

Working as an Army NAF employee provides valuable advantages, even within flexible roles:

Retirement Planning: Flexible NAF employees inside the U.S. are eligible to participate in the Army NAF 401(k) savings plan.
On-Base Privileges: Access to premier installation amenities, including fitness centers, recreation areas, and libraries.
Career Advancement: Access to professional training programs and opportunities to advance into supervisory aquatics or recreation management positions.
Community Impact: Direct personal fulfillment by supporting military members and their families.

Crucial Application Guidelines & Resume Rules

Applying for federal jobs requires strict attention to submission guidelines. Failing to follow instructions can lead to automatic disqualification.

1. Two-Page Resume Limit

Federal directives require resumes for this vacancy to be limited to two (2) pages or less. Keep your formatting clean, clear, and focused on relevant skills. Resumes over two pages may not be evaluated.

2. Reference Requirements

To speed up background checks and hiring timelines, submit contact information (full names, phone numbers, and email addresses) for two (2) professional references and two (2) personal references directly on your resume.

3. Claiming Selection Preferences

If claiming preference or priority consideration, upload supporting documentation at the time of application:

Military Spouse Preference (SEP): Upload Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and your marriage certificate.
Veterans Consideration: Upload a signed copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 or Service 2 copy).
Current/Former NAF Employees: Upload DA Form 3434 or SF-50.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this job open to the general public?

Yes. This open continuous recruitment announcement is open to all qualified applicants worldwide.

Q2: How are applications reviewed?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Management begins reviewing candidate lists periodically throughout the open announcement period until all vacancies are filled.

Q3: Are full-time benefits included?

Flexible positions do not carry full regular benefits such as government-subsidized health insurance, but flexible employees can participate in the NAF 401(k) plan and access on-base facilities.

How to Apply

Visit USAJOBS and search for Announcement Number O3NAFKA-26-13092534.
Click Apply to complete your online candidate profile.
Attach your two-page resume and relevant lifeguard/CPR certifications.
Upload any required preference documents (DD-214, PCS orders, etc.).
Submit your completed application prior to the closing deadline on January 14, 2027.

Why This Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) Nf-01 Job Matters

Make waves in your aquatics career while directly supporting military families and service members at Fort Leonard Wood!

Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) Nf-01 Job Overview

The Department of the Army's Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) team is seeking active, safety-minded Recreation Aids (Lifeguards) to work at Fort Leonard Wood Aquatics. This flexible position involves maintaining water safety, assisting with aquatic survival and swimming lessons, and monitoring indoor and outdoor pool facilities.

Requirements for Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) Nf-01

Possess and maintain active Lifeguarding and First Aid certifications from the American Red Cross or equivalent (e.g., Star Guard, YMCA, ELLIS).
Possess and maintain active CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association equivalent.
Submit a complete application package including a resume that strictly adheres to the two-page maximum limit.
Successfully pass background checks and suitability/fitness adjudications.

Preferred Qualifications for Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) Nf-01

Experience assisting with swimming instruction or military water survival training programs (e.g., TC 21-21).
Familiarity with water quality testing and chemical balance reporting.
Previous experience enforcing pool facility safety rules and Standard Operating Procedures.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Participation in the Army NAF 401(k) retirement plan for eligible flexible employees.
✓Access to on-base amenities including state-of-the-art fitness centers and libraries.
✓Professional development, specialized training, and career advancement opportunities within Army MWR.
✓Fulfilling work environment serving active duty military members, veterans, and their families.

💡 How to Apply Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) Nf-01 Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Recreation Aid (Lifeguard) Nf-01 Job

Log into your USAJOBS account or register for a new profile.
Search for Announcement Number O3NAFKA-26-13092534.
Format your resume to ensure it does not exceed two (2) pages and includes contact details for two professional and two personal references.
Gather and upload supporting documents such as valid certifications, DD-214 (if claiming Veterans consideration), PCS orders and marriage certificate (if claiming Military Spouse Preference), or DA 3434/SF-50 (if claiming current/former NAF/APF status).
Complete the online application questionnaire and double-check uploaded attachments.
Submit the final application package before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on January 14, 2027.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume strictly under 2 pages; federal recruiters will not evaluate content beyond page two.
List all certifications (Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR/AED) explicitly on your resume as qualifications are rated strictly on visible text.
Include complete contact details (full name, phone, email) for 2 professional and 2 personal references to speed up the onboarding process.
Upload all preference documentation (e.g., PCS orders, DD-214) at the initial time of submission to ensure your preference claim is valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certifications do I need to apply?

You must hold valid Lifeguarding and First Aid certifications (American Red Cross, Star Guard, YMCA, ELLIS, or equivalent) and CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED certification (American Red Cross or AHA).

What is the pay rate and schedule for this lifeguard position?

The job pays between $15.00 and $16.00 per hour. It is a flexible NAF position with no set hours, ranging from 0 to 40 hours per week.

Is relocation assistance available?

No, payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized for this position.

How long will my application remain active?

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Once submitted, your application remains active for up to 90 days and may be referred for future openings during that window.