(Friday,
March 26, 2023) – In
an effort to attract lifeguard applicants, Mayor Malik D. Evans today announced
an increase in the pay scale for City lifeguards to preserve the Aquatics
services that would otherwise be limited by the national shortage of
lifeguards.
The new
hourly pay scale raises the wage for entry-level lifeguards to $20 at City
pools and at Durand Eastman Beach.
“We want all
families in Rochester to have an opportunity to enjoy our pools and beach, take
swimming lessons, and have a means to keep cool this summer,” said Mayor Evans.
“This can’t happen unless we have enough lifeguards to ensure children and
young adults are safe in and near the water. We recognize that lifeguards have
a significant responsibility and we hope that competitive pay rate will
encourage qualified lifeguards and advanced swimmers to consider applying for a
position with the City today!”
The City’s
Aquatics division is seeking certified lifeguards and advanced swimmers to
become lifeguards. Applicants must be at 15 years old, and those age 16 and up
can be beach lifeguards. The new hourly pay scale for lifeguard positions will
be: lifeguards, $20; lifeguard lieutenants, $20.26; lifeguard captains, $21.10;
assistant beach or pool manager, $22.69; and beach manager, $27.10.
Currently,
the City has 15 seasonal lifeguards and requires 32 lifeguards to cover the
City’s five public pools and Durand Beach.
The City is
hosting a special lifeguard training session next month to help potential
lifeguards obtain certification for the job. The course is free for city
residents, $75 for non-residents and $125 for adults. All lifeguards who become
employed by the City will receive a reimbursement for the fee at the end of the
summer. The weeklong training runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 12 through
Friday, June 16; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. June 17 at the Trent and
Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 N. Clinton Ave.
Based on the
current number of lifeguards, summer pool operations are as follows:
- Genesee
Valley Park Sports Complex, 131 Elmwood Ave. 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Opens June 26.
- Trenton
and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 N Clinton Ave., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Opens July 5
- Adams
Street R-Center, 85 Adams St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Opens
July 5.
The Avenue D
R-Center and the Honorable Willie Walker Lightfoot R-Center for Equity and
Justice outdoor pools will open for operation based on staff availability.
The City
also offers spray parks and spray features that open today from noon to 8 p.m.
Spray park locations include:
- Carter
Street R-Center, 500 Carter St.
- Campbell
Street R-Center 524 Campbell St.
- Edgerton
R-Center, 41 Backus St.
- David
F. Gantt R-Center, 700 North
St.
- Thomas
P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
- Roxie
Sinkler R-Center, 75 Grover St.
City spray
feature sites include:
- Fourth
and Peck Playground, Corner of Fourth and Peck Streets.
- Martin
Luther King Jr. Memorial Park (playground area), 353 Court St.
- Troup
Street Park, 210-266 Troup St.
To apply for
a lifeguard position and learn more information about Aquatics, visit
CityofRochester.Gov/Jobs.
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