PLANO, Texas — The Plano Parks and Recreation Department still needs more lifeguards for city pools this summer.
The hiring push is aimed at making sure pool hours aren't limited this summer, due to lack of staffing. The city is opening a new pool at the Oak Point Recreation Center, which will add to the city's staffing needs.
If the remaining lifeguard positions aren't filled soon, then pool hours will likely be restricted this summer, officials said.
“Pool hours will be announced in mid-May, and those hours solely depend on how many lifeguards we are able to hire,” Susie Hergenrader, the city's recreation services manager said. “Not only do we have to hire these lifeguards, but we will need to train them as well. The safety of our patrons is a priority we will not compromise.”
Plano Parks and Recreation Department told WFAA the city is in need of about 75-100 lifeguards.
The lifeguard positions are part-time jobs, open to anyone 15 and older. The city does not require previous lifeguard experience and will cover training, certification and uniform expenses.
Lifeguard pay starts at $13.51/hour, and head lifeguard positions start at $14.90/hour.
The city is also hiring concession attendants, learn-to-swim instructors and swim teaching assistant positions for the summer.
Anyone interested in the jobs can apply through the city's employment website here.
Fort Worth hiring lifeguards
The City of Fort Worth posted several open lifeguard positions across the city: Aqua Mobile Swim School, Hurricane Harbor, public pools, YMCA Metropolitan Fort Worth, Happy Swimmers, Bearfoot and Texas Christian University.
“It was all hands-on deck last year, and it's going to be the same way this year,” Fort Worth Parks and Recreation district superintendent Maxime Pierre said.
The city still needs to fill 29 of their 40 total lifeguard positions. All five of their head guard positions are still open. Eight of their 14 pool attendant spots still need to be filled.
These positions will be spread across the city’s two public pools, Forest Park Pool and Marine Park Pool, according to Pierre.
“As of right now, things are going at a slower pace, but we're trying the best that we can to get people on,” Pierre said.
New incentives based on attendance have been added this year. Hourly pay went up in January, but Pierre told WFAA it could be increased again.
“We're trying our best to be as competitive as possible,” Pierre said.
Anyone who is interested in working as a lifeguard in Fort Worth can visit https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/parks/services/pools-and-aquatics/lifeguard-training for more information.
Other North Texas cities post lifeguard job openings:
The City of Arlington posted its need for lifeguards at Great Wolf Lodge.
The City of Keller posted its need for college-aged lifeguards at its pools this summer. In the job listing the city said, "Lifeguards from Baylor earn high pay and spend most of their summer in the sun and by the pool, any Baylor University student's dream." If you would like to learn more, click here or here.
The City of Mansfield and the City of Hurst need lifeguards too.