Connecticut Boosts Pay to Lure Summer Staff for State Parks

MADISON, Conn. (AP) — Because the summer time season kicks off with the Memorial Day weekend, the Connecticut Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety continues to be trying to fill lifeguard and different seasonal positions, regardless of growing the compensation.

DEEP has boosted the beginning wage as much as $17 an hour for many positions, and better for another jobs.

“Sadly, Connecticut is in an analogous scenario to lots of the different states,” stated Tom Tyler, director of state parks, in an electronic mail. “We’re nonetheless aggressively recruiting extra people for positions throughout the state, in notably within the western a part of the state and most notably within the northwest a part of the state.”

Regardless of the staffing challenges, Tyler stated the company shall be “at the least minimally staffed sufficient to open all of our state parks and forest recreation areas to the general public and don’t have plans, presently, to restrict services or lowered hours.” He stated DEEP additionally plans to open all 14 campgrounds over the vacation weekend.

States and native governments throughout the nation have reported having challenges discovering summer time assist. Many have elevated pay to lure candidates.

Tyler stated lifeguards proceed to be a key focus because the state makes an attempt to fill as many positions as potential on the eight websites the place DEEP usually gives lifeguards. Throughout a information convention on Friday at Hammonasset Seashore State Park, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes stated the areas that also want lifeguards embrace Black Rock State Park in Watertown, Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, Indian Wells State Park in Shelton, Sherwood Island in Westport, Silver Sands State Park in Milford and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.

“We’re seeking to carry folks on board forward of the July Fourth weekend,” she stated. “Proper now we’re targeted on the recruiting so we are able to keep away from having to curtail any companies.”

Tyler stated recruitment efforts will proceed till June 17, the deadline to get new hires on board and skilled in time for July Fourth. To assist broaden the pool of lifeguard candidates, the state is recruiting untrained folks, aged 16 and older, who’ve a robust swimming potential. DEEP, Tyler stated, pays them for his or her time to be skilled and licensed.

DEEP has created a particular net web page for the place folks can apply for seasonal jobs, upkeep employees, seasonal park rangers, interpretive guides, first support attendants, useful resource assistants, seasonal maintainers, workplace assistants and seasonal Particular Conservation Officers.

Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday urged residents reap the benefits of the state’s Passport to Parks program, which permits all guests driving in Connecticut-registered automobiles to enter a park with out paying a parking price. The price of this system is roofed by a $15 price on non-commercial motorcar registrations.

In the meantime, DEEP and the Connecticut Division of Transportation will provide an expanded free transit service from Memorial Day weekend by way of Labor Day to numerous state parks by way of the ParkConneCT program.

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