Carson City pool offers increased lifeguard pay to fight shortages, classes reduced due to staffing
For the last several years, the Carson City Aquatic Center has had its fair share of staffing shortages, especially for lifeguards, in what is a nationwide trend.
Since the Great Recession, teens have not been working. During the recession this was due to a huge shortage of available entry-level jobs, and in later years, it's been linked to the fact that students are spending more time on studies and extracurricular activities.
However, according to the Pew Research Center, post-Covid the number of teens employed has risen to 36 percent — though still significantly lower than pre-recession numbers.
When teens are working, they typically work in service industry jobs, seconded by retail, and are making the most in the western states - Nevada included.
Pay is one potential reason youth are moving away from lifeguarding. On a cursory search of local job offerings for teens, it shows that In-n-Out starts at $17 per hour, Starbucks at $15, "up to" $14 at Taco Bell, and $14 at Raley's.
Throughout the U.S., in contrast, the average lifeguard pay is $14.60 per hour, but can be as low as $8.65 in some areas.
Currently, pay for lifeguarding in Carson City is around $12 an hour, but as of July 1, base rate for entry level positions will be upped to $13.50 per hour, according to Recreation Superintendent Dan Earp. Across the board, all recreation seasonal/part-time workers will be receiving the $1.50 per hour increase.
In addition, incentive pay at an additional $2 per hour is being offered to any aquatic staff who teaches swim lessons, during the swim lesson hours.
That means that, after the new budget takes effect, a lifeguard who teaches swim lessons can make a minimum of $15.50 per hour during lesson hours.
"As of right now, we only have 50 percent of capacity for swim lessons open, same as last year," Earp said. "If we can get more staff, we will increase swim lesson offerings. We hope that with the increase in pay and the incentive pay for swim instructors, that we can recruit additional swim instructors and can open more classes."
The outdoor pool is currently open, but Earp says there may have to be days where it is closed due to low staffing.
However, swim lessons are being held back, with only 50 percent offered, due to a low number of instructors.
In prior years, the Aquatic Center partnered with Carson High School to provide lifeguard training for students, but the school pulled out. At this time, that program has not been reestablished, though Earp said "we are always working towards increasing opportunities through the schools or other outlets to increase aquatic education and opportunities."
Earp says increased pay is not the only benefit to working for Parks and Recreation; they intentionally offer flexible scheduling to work around school, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
"We have lots of great summer jobs," Earp said. "We are hiring pool cashiers, lifeguards, swim instructors, recreation aides for both sports and youth programs, and MAC front counter staff. In all, we still need to hire at least 50 additional staff, so there is plenty of opportunity."
In addition, for those interested in working for the Carson City Government post graduation, Parks and Recreation helps to set up job shadowing opportunities with other departments to help their employees learn about future career opportunities, Earp said.
For a full list of positions currently being offered, please visit http://www.carson.org/jobs