Ten City of Pittsburgh pools remain closed as the Department of Parks and Recreation scrambles to solve a lifeguard shortage.
Kathryn Vargas, one of the department's assistant directors, says they typically see plenty of high school and college students apply, but they're staying away in big numbers.
"This has definitely been a unique situation for us, and it's kind of the perfect storm of conditions that have made it a little trickier to get what would be considered our typical pool of lifeguards," she said.
Like many businesses struggling to find employees, the City is considering offering job incentives.
Wednesday, Pittsburgh City Council discussed a bill that would transfer $380,000 from the Department of Public Works to the Department of Parks and Recreation to increase lifeguard wages.
Council plans to vote on the bill next week.
"We're also working on a bonus structure throughout the summer to help ensure that we can retain our guards and also sweeten the pot a little bit for anybody who might want to consider being a lifeguard this summer with us," Vargas said.
Vargas said experienced lifeguards currently start at $14 an hour, while inexperienced guards start at $11.40 an hour.
The City is also hiring splash park attendants and pool cashiers.
Anyone interested in applying can do so on the City's website.