Indy Parks still needs to hire 119 lifeguards

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indy Parks and Recreation has employed 81 of the 200 they should open all of the swimming pools. Ronetta Spalding with the parks division says she’s unsure why it’s been so exhausting to search out staff.

“I’m unsure what the wrestle has been, now we have provided bonuses, we’ve provided referral bonuses, we’ve provided signal on bonuses. We’ve elevated the pay, it’s gone from 10 {dollars} in 2016 to persons are in a position to make 15 {dollars} an hour lifeguarding,” Spalding stated.

Regardless of these efforts to rent extra folks, the parks division remains to be quick, however the lack of staff isn’t going to maintain them from opening the swimming pools they will. The 81 lifeguards they’ve for the summer season will permit them to open eight swimming pools, for now.

“Lots of them are new hires and are lifeguards for the primary time this yr. We’re excited, we’ve been in a position to get them skilled and get them prepared for that first wave of swimming pools able to open on June the 4th,” Spalding stated.

Spalding says they hope to rent as many as they will all through the summer season to allow them to proceed to open extra swimming pools, if attainable. It takes the precise coaching to get these lifeguards prepared.

“So as to work as a lifeguard for Indy Parks, we wish to make sure that they’re in a position to cross our conditions which embody, with the ability to swim 100 yards, with the ability to tread water, and with the ability to retrieve a brick from the underside of the pool,” stated Spalding.

You should be no less than 16 to be a lifeguard. You may apply right here.