Valleyfair a Six Flags Park

Be the Hero of the Waterpark at Valleyfair – A Six Flags Park

Imagine starting every shift to the sound of splashing water, roller coasters roaring overhead and thousands of guests ready for the best day of their summer. As a Lifeguard at Valleyfair, a Six Flags Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, you won’t just have a job – you’ll have one of the most respected, active and rewarding roles in the entire park. This is the classic American summer experience that Work & Travel USA students dream about.

What You’ll Be Doing

Your mission is simple but important: keep guests safe while they have the time of their lives. Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Actively scanning and supervising assigned pools, wave pools, lazy rivers and waterslide attractions
• Enforcing park safety rules in a friendly, professional and confident way
• Responding quickly and calmly to emergencies, performing rescues and providing basic first aid when needed
• Assisting guests with ride loading, tubes, life jackets and general questions
• Keeping your area clean, organized and ready for a great guest experience
• Participating in ongoing in-service training and team safety drills

No prior lifeguard certification is required before you arrive – Valleyfair provides full paid training and certification through its industry-leading aquatic safety program. All you need to bring is confidence in the water and a strong sense of responsibility.

Life in Shakopee, Minnesota

Shakopee sits along the Minnesota River, just about 30 minutes southwest of the vibrant Twin Cities – Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This means you get the friendly, affordable, welcoming atmosphere of a small American town, plus easy access to big-city life: live music venues, lakes, museums, the legendary Mall of America, food festivals and an international student community.

Minnesota summers are made for adventure. On your days off you can swim in one of the state’s 10,000+ lakes, rent a kayak, cycle along riverside trails, catch a baseball game, or take a weekend trip to Chicago, Duluth or the North Shore. And because your contract runs from summer into fall, you’ll also get to experience the spectacular Minnesota autumn colors and Valleyfair’s famous ValleyScare Halloween season.

Your Benefits

• $17.00 per hour – a strong, competitive wage for a summer position
• 35 hours per week guaranteed schedule, with overtime opportunities during busy weekends
• Free paid lifeguard training and internationally recognized certification
• Free admission to Valleyfair and discounts across Six Flags parks
• Employee discounts on food, merchandise and park events
• Employee events, international student parties and end-of-season celebrations
• Housing assistance and support from an employer highly experienced with J-1 students
• An outstanding line on your CV: safety, leadership and emergency response skills

What We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the J-1 Work & Travel USA program
• Strong swimming ability – you must pass a basic swim test (swim 50–100 m, tread water, retrieve an object from the pool bottom)
• Conversational English and a positive, service-minded attitude
• Ability to stay alert, focused and calm under pressure
• Comfortable working outdoors in the sun, on weekends and holidays
• Availability from summer through fall – a longer season means more earnings

Ready to Guard the Fun?

Positions at Valleyfair fill quickly every season, and lifeguard roles are among the most popular with international students. Apply early, secure your spot, and make this the summer you’ll be telling stories about for years. Apply now and start your American adventure!