AUSTIN, Texas — Summer is less than two months away and Austin Parks and Recreation Department is still looking for lifeguards.
Lifeguards can now earn up to $1,250 in bonuses and summer camp staff can earn up to $750 in bonuses.
The bonuses are split into different tiers. As a lifeguard, a signing bonus of $500 will be given mid-season to those who are trained and ready to work by June 6. At the end of the season, they will receive a completion bonus of another $500 for those who work 15 hours the last week of the summer season (Aug. 7-13) and can work on Aug. 14 — because the Austin ISD fall semester begins the following day.
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There will be an additional $250 bonus for those who complete advanced certification. This includes swim instructor certification, lifeguard instructor and advanced certification of open water lifeguarding.
As for summer camp staff, they will receive a $250 bonus if they are fully trained and working June 6 through July 8. They also need to work an average of 20-plus hours a week. There’s an additional $500 bonus if they are fully trained and working June 6 through Aug. 12, work 20-plus hours a week and are current staff members who did not receive the December 2021 bonus.
Central Texas has been faced with lifeguard shortages and have had to close down pools in order to ensure safety for its swimmers.
Austin Parks and Rec held a hiring fair earlier in March to get the word out to hire more lifeguards and summer camp staff.