HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut is short on lifeguards as the summer season fast approaches and the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is looking to hire more before June.
"We are currently under capacity right now. We have about 68 lifeguards for about 110 positions that we're seeking to fill. So, we're at about 62%," DEEP Media Relations Manager Will Healey said.
Typically, DEEP has lifeguards available for about eight swimming areas in Connecticut, Healey said.
Going into the summer this year, DEEP only has enough lifeguards to cover six swimming areas, he said.
"It is definitely a bit of a concern because it is always better to have lifeguards," Healey said.
Those six swimming areas include Connecticut's most popular shoreline state parks including Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Silver Sands and Sherwood Island State Parks, according to Healey.
Though filling those summer lifeguard positions can be a challenge, Healey said this year it's even more of a challenge, though not in a significant way. It's unclear why that may be, he said.
DEEP is also looking to fill other seasonal positions, he said, such as state park ranger, campground staff and other outdoor work opportunities.
The deadline to apply is June 1. For lifeguards, Healey said that deadline is in place to allow time for proper training.
For more information, visit the DEEP website.