ST. GEORGE — As summer heats up and people flock to public pools to cool down, many facilities are scrambling to stay fully staffed with lifeguards. The National Recreation and Parks Association said eight out of ten public pool facilities are understaffed this summer. Here in Southern Utah, it’s a mixed bag. Both Washington City and the City of St. George are working to fix a lifeguard shortage, while the Cedar City Aquatic Center is fully staffed following a shortage caused by the pandemic shutdown.
Lifeguards wanted in Washington City
As the largest indoor aquatic facility in Southern Utah, the Washington City Community Center welcomes about 500,000 visitors a year. This means they need a lot of staff which has been challenging as the facility re-emerges from shutdowns caused by the pandemic. Benjamin Rae, Washington City Assistant Leisure Services Director, said they are working with the City of St. George to recruit and train lifeguards.
“We’re not in competition,” Rae said. “We want to work together to make sure that we’re providing an opportunity for as many people as possible to both recreate and find employment.”
Typically, the pool in Washington has about 45 to 50 lifeguards during the summer. Right now, they are short staffed which has resulted in a few changes. Private after-hours rentals of the pool aren’t being offered, and the facility is still using the spring schedule for open swim. Additionally, there is a reduced number of swim classes being offered this summer.
Like many facilities in Southern Utah, the City of Washington offers ongoing classes to train new lifeguards. A course will be offered July 11-14 for anyone who still wants to get a pool job this summer. The cost of the class is $150, but that fee is waived for students who pass the course and come to work for the pool in Washington City.
Fun in the sun in St. George
Timmy Key, the Assistant Recreation Manager-Aquatics in St. George, is working hard to hire an additional 20 or so lifeguards this summer. Because the position requires certification from the American Red Cross, classes are offered on a regular basis.
“As long as we have three people, we can put a class together,” Key said.
Last August, the City of St. George bumped its starting lifeguard pay to $11.08 an hour with room for advancement. Red Cross certified water safety instructors are paid $12.53 an hour. Just this summer, the age requirement to lifeguard at a city pool in St. George and in Washington City was lowered to 15.
Lifeguarding is serious work but that doesn’t mean the job can’t be enjoyable. Lifeguards hired by the City of St. George work at both the outdoor pool on 700 South and Sand Hollow Aquatic Center. Key said this is a great gig for local kids because they get to work with people from all the area high schools.
“It’s really a lot of fun,” Key said. “You get to be outside, enjoy the weather, and if you get hot during your rotation you can jump in the water and cool off.”
Key said he works to retain lifeguards by creating a welcoming atmosphere and by being flexible with hours and time off. Erin Niedert, Recreation Coordinator for the St. George City Pools, started lifeguarding when she was 16 years old. Now in her fifth summer, Niedert took advantage of advancement opportunities by becoming a certified swim instructor as well a lifeguard instructor.
“The lifeguard training can be difficult, but I think it’s something that anybody can do,” Niedert said. As the instructor for a three week summer camp for 11 to 14 year olds, Niedert is getting future lifeguards ready for the next level of training.
Fully staffed in Cedar City
When Marcie Burrill was recruited to be the new manager at the Cedar City Aquatic Center last November, the facility only had about half of the lifeguards they needed. As a result, pool hours were shortened to ensure there were enough lifeguards to keep swimmers safe.
By January of this year, Burrill had a full compliment of lifeguards and now has the luxury of a waiting list to work at the pool in Cedar City. Burrill said she was able to beef up the ranks by holding lots of training courses and networking with fitness and swimming groups.
“I’ve reached out to physical education teachers at the high schools, swim coaches and water polo teams,” Burrill said. “We swim, we do the drills. We practice until they are ready to take and pass the test.”
As with the pool facilities in Washington City and St. George, Burrill puts a good deal of effort into creating an appealing work environment. This includes perks like lifeguard swim parties, competitions and games. Starting pay at the Cedar City Aquatic Center is $11.50 for lifeguards and $12.50 for swim instructors. Head lifeguards earn $13.50 an hour.
“We expect them to stay on top of their skills, be able to save lives and know CPR,” Burrill said.
Because the Aquatic Center in Cedar City has both indoor and outdoor swimming, lifeguards can work year round at that facility.
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