The City of Phoenix is offering a $3,000 incentive for certified lifeguards. | Malaya Sadler/Unsplash
The City of Phoenix is offering a $3,000 incentive for certified lifeguards. | Malaya Sadler/Unsplash
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is offering a $3,000 incentive to new lifeguards who serve the 29 public pools in the city.
The incentive is designed to serve as reimbursement for the time and money needed to earn a lifeguard certification. The City needs to hire pool managers and assistant managers as well as hundreds of lifeguards prior to the coming pool season.
“For the second season in a row, the City of Phoenix is making a direct investment into the safety of our residents, especially when it comes to children and water safety," Mayor Kate Gallego said in a recent release from the City. “Not only do lifeguards watch over our residents while swimming, but they also provide affordable swim lessons throughout the summer."
To receive the incentive, a person will need to be certified as a lifeguard and work the entire summer through Labor Day and finish in good standing, the release said.
“To ensure we deliver the best service to our residents, Phoenix we must continue to raise wages and benefits for our essential employees," Betty Guardado, District 5 City Council representative and Community & Cultural Investment Subcommittee chair, said in the release. “Our committee will continue to support the important efforts by our Parks and Recreation Department to address the shortages in our lifeguard and pool staffing levels."
As part of the hiring spree, the City also plans to employ "shallow-water" lifeguards, who will patrol areas where water is 4 feet or less.
Applicants must be at least 15 years old, and StarGuard Training is required for lifeguard certification; the release said. Those interested should register for training as soon as possible.