'We're entering a whole new level of concern:' Low numbers of lifeguards, camp counselors could affect Carson City summer youth programs
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 10:57am
The Carson City Parks and Recreation Department has long been a staple in the capital city’s community; it has hosted summer camps, movies, egg hunts, swim lessons, and of course, sports for children and adults alike.
However, some of the programs and facilities such as the swimming pool, sporting teams, and Camp Carson simply cannot function without the important safety requirements facilitated by the life blood of these programs: The lifeguards, coaches and camp counselors.
Nationwide there has been a dwindling of teens going out for jobs and Carson City is no different.
In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic shut everyone inside, pools and programs across the country were already hurting. Now, they are in crisis.
“If the positions aren’t filled, we won’t be able to offer as much,” said Dan Earp, Carson City Recreation Superintendent. “For example, if we only get half the swim instructors we need, we will still offer swim lessons, but we won’t be able to offer as many time slots or levels, which means less opportunities for swim lessons for kids in the community.”
Adaptations have already had to be made due to a lack of staffing, such as offering fewer programs.
At the pool during 2019, Aquatics Center Recreation Program Supervisor Tami Jennings said they were forced to offer almost no swim lessons during the school year, something she has never seen before in her 20-plus years of working with the pool. In 2020, they hadn't been able to offer any swim lessons at all due to both COVID-19 and staffing issues.
“We have to keep people safe,” she said. “Not just under the Nevada State Health Code, but also under our own moral philosophy, which is keeping people safe. We won’t program things if we can’t do them correctly.”
This year, Jennings is concerned they may have to further limit open swim hours and swim lessons due to staffing deficits.
“We were struggling with staff numbers prior to COVID, but the shut down last spring and limited programming since reopening have forced many lifeguards to find employment elsewhere,” said Jennings. “I’m always worried about staff levels moving into summer, but I’d say with low retention and inability to offer more training opportunities in the form of classes, we are entering a whole new level of concern.”
Many activities during 2020 were already shut down, partially due to staffing issues and partially due to the Governor’s shut down orders.
The opportunity to work for the Parks Department can offer future opportunities and education as well; many of the parks and recreation lifeguards have gone on to working as EMTs in the community.
“Working for Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space is a great first time job or summer job,” said Earp. “We pay above minimum wage and we are very flexible with individual schedules. A summer job with the parks and recreation department will provide skills in money management, time management, lifesaving, child care, maintenance, food management, sports management, and much more. Many of our lifeguards are studying or are planning to study nursing, medicine or become an EMT. A job with our summer camp is perfect preparation for anyone looking to go into elementary education.”
These positions aren’t only for teens though; the parks department is also hiring for maintenance workers to help keep our parks beautiful and maintained.
The Carson City Parks and Recreation Department currently has approximately 100 open positions for the upcoming season include lifeguards, youth camp staff, sports staff, cashiers, and park maintenance jobs.
To learn more and apply, visit https://www.carson.org/jobs
