PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Lifeguards are needed as the city gears up for a busy summer swimming season. Hours and locations for Philadelphia’s free lifeguard training program have been extended to help with recruitment.
If you can swim, if you would like to spend the summer in your bathing suit, and you’re 16 or older, the city wants you to apply to be a lifeguard.
Between 350 and 400 are needed to staff the 60 public pools that will be open around the city, and the department is still trying to fill 80 to 100 vacancies, said Bill Salvatore, deputy commissioner of programs for the Department of Parks and Recreation.
“We feel good, and recruitment is ticking upwards compared to last year at this time, but we still need lifeguards,” Salvatore said.
First-time lifeguards earn a $16 hourly rate, and he encourages people who are interested to act now to secure a $500 end-of-season bonus. The deadline is May 15.
“If you're a 16-year-old lifeguard for the first time, you're making $16 an hour, up to 40 hours a week, for eight to 10 weeks, right? That is not bad for a 16-year-old kid,” Salvatore said.
Applicants should brush up their swimming skills. They will be tested.
“CPR, first aid, how to respond to emergencies,” Salvatore said. “There's a physical test, where you swim some laps, you retrieve a brick, you tread some water — you know, you get certified.”
Interested candidates can train for free with Parks and Recreation and prepare for the required Red Cross lifeguard certification. Find an available time and location.
Lifeguard screening and swim skills training is available at five locations in the city:
— Lincoln High School, Northeast
— Friends Select School, Center City
— St. Joseph's Preparatory School, North Philadelphia
— Roxborough YMCA, Northwest
— Samuel Recreation Center. Port Richmond
Candidates must also have the right frame of mind for the job, he said.
“We want the right disposition. You want folks that have good customer service skills that are reliable and responsible and can engage with communities.”
Related
Related
