QUESTION
What are the current efforts and plans for hiring lifeguards for NYC's beaches and pools this summer?
0:40:10
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3 min
The New York City Parks Department is actively recruiting lifeguards amidst a national shortage by offering increased wages and enhancing recruitment strategies.
- Lifeguard wages have been increased to $22 an hour, including a $1,000 bonus, in collaboration with the Lifeguard Union.
- Recruitment efforts began since last September, focusing on marketing campaigns and emphasizing lifeguard roles as challenging and rewarding summer jobs.
- The number of qualifying tests for lifeguards has been increased by 47% and the number of test sites nearly doubled, improving access for potential candidates.
- Those passing the qualifying tests undergo 16 weeks of training, with hires expected by the end of May or early June.
Shekar Krishnan
0:40:10
As we mentioned earlier with our 5 point plan, there are different ways to address the swim crisis.
0:40:14
We talked about, you know, water safety education, expanding swim instruction, building more pools, but a very important plank of that is lifeguard, lifeguard hiring, getting us out of this crisis.
0:40:28
And I would hope commissioner, could you give us sense of where you are right now in the lifeguard hiring process and what the timeline is to staff up for beaches and pools this summer?
Sue Donoghue
0:40:39
Thank you, council member.
0:40:40
And yes, we'd love to talk about that.
0:40:42
As you mentioned, and and well know, any kind of expansion, any kind of work around or safety, the lifeguard.
0:40:49
The numbers of lifeguards and availability of lifeguards are critical to that activity.
0:40:54
And we have We're so proud at the parks department even with a national lifeguard shortage.
0:40:59
We've worked really hard over the last couple of years to still be able to open every single one of our pools and beaches even with the constraints that we're facing.
0:41:07
I have to give so much credit too.
0:41:09
My first step commissioner here Iris Rodriguez Rosa and her team.
0:41:14
We don't think about recruiting just at the start of the year.
0:41:17
We've been thinking about recruitment since last September.
0:41:19
Member when the season ended.
0:41:21
And commissioner Rodriguez Rosa and our team have been out at nonstop.
0:41:26
And I'm hoping that you've seen everything from some great marketing campaigns across the city that we developed, highlighting our life cards and with the tagline of challenge accepted, to really emphasize the importance of this job, what a great summer job it is.
0:41:43
We so appreciate this city council helping us send those efforts and on recruitment.
0:41:49
We need everybody focused on helping bring people in the door and taking our qualifying exams.
0:41:56
One of the things that we worked really hard to do with the Lifeguard Union, and we're pleased to be successful in this year in increasing the wage to $22 an hour.
0:42:05
For lifeguards, including a $1000 bonus.
0:42:09
We know it's an important job.
0:42:10
We wanna make sure that people are paid, what they should be paid, and we are thrilled to be able to see this increase in the salary, and we think it makes us more competitive, and we'll bring more people in the door.
0:42:20
So emphasizing that that it's a great job and a great salary.
0:42:25
And then we have also done a number of things to expand access to the first part of becoming a lifeguard is passing the qualifying tests.
0:42:35
And so we have increased the number of qualifying tests by 47% this year from 47 to 67.
0:42:45
We've also increased the number of test sites by nearly double.
0:42:50
So making it easier for individuals, young people to come in and take the qualifying test, We've done that.
0:42:59
We've expanded access to test sites in the outer boroughs, working with DOE and making test sites available at DOE Schools, as well as at our recreation centers.
0:43:10
And so a huge amount of effort that has been spearheaded by commissioner Rodriguez Rosa to bring in as many lifeguards as we can.
0:43:19
We have so we're right now in the process, as I said, the first step is passing the qualifying test.
0:43:24
The last tests are happening tomorrow.
0:43:27
So anything that we can do to promote that and get more people in the door would really appreciate that.
0:43:33
And I'm pleased to say that we have seen increases in the number of people coming in.
0:43:40
So they have to pass the qualifying test, and then there's 16 weeks of training.
0:43:44
And then we would look to hire those that are able to pass the training and become lifeguards the end of May, early June.