Be a lifeguard – please?

Summer is drawing nearer and the parks department’s Aquatics Division still doesn’t have enough lifeguards to staff Austin’s many swimming pools and aquatic programs. The division has 150 lifeguards, which is “only 20 percent of its needed 750 lifeguard force,” according to a news release. The city froze its hiring of lifeguards last year due to the pandemic and only resumed hiring in March 2021. Though training has restarted, it isn’t possible to train in high enough numbers due to the ongoing need for social distancing. The upshot is, “The Aquatics Division does not have enough lifeguards to open all of the pools that would normally open at the beginning of June.” So, pools will “operate with modified hours and capacity” until enough lifeguards “can be trained, certified and hired.” Apply to be a lifeguard here.