Lifeguards in high demand as shortage impacts public pools across the Coachella Valley
Efforts to hire lifeguards at public pools in the Coachella Valley are ongoing amid staffing shortages.
The Palm Desert Aquatic Center is holding a second hiring event today from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., according to a flier. Staff there held a similar hiring event last Monday in hopes of recruiting both lifeguards and swim instructors.
It's unclear if any new personnel were hired at the event on February 13.
The Palm Springs Swim Center is also in search of lifeguards, as operating hours have recently been impacted by insufficient staffing.
Mayor Grace Garner and City Councilmembers Lisa Middleton and Ron deHarte appeared in a Facebook video shared by The City of Palm Springs to spread awareness and recruit new hires, following the launch of a new lifeguard training program by the City.
Yvonne Wise, Director of Parks & Recreation, has confirmed the department has 9 positions allocated for the Swim Center, which include a combination of full-time and part-time lifeguard positions.
Currently, there are 3 vacancies – Lead Lifeguard, and two Lifeguards (one full-time and one part-time). Recruitments for these positions are posted on the City’s website with that interview process scheduled to take place on March 7.
In the meantime, the Parks & Recreation Department is utilizing a temporary employment agency "to help cover shifts when current staffing are unavailable," according to Wise.
She also said the City is working to hire permanent Lifeguards for the Palm Springs Swim Center through a "multi-faceted campaign to promote the positions and attract new interest in working as a Lifeguard for the City of Palm Springs."