Rochester Reporter

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.

Original source can be found here.