AGENCY TESTIMONY
Increase in lifeguard recruitment and retention efforts
0:22:25
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104 sec
Commissioner Donoghue details the successful efforts to increase the number of lifeguards serving the city, resulting in significant growth compared to the previous year.
- 930 lifeguards at the season's peak, representing a nearly 10% increase
- 46% increase in new lifeguard recruits through expanded testing and training sites, partnerships with other agencies, and process improvements
- Renegotiation of the Lifeguard Union contract with District Council 37 for the first time in 40 years
- Implementation of an increased baseline hourly wage of $22 for seasonal lifeguards and a $1000 retention bonus
Sue Donoghue
0:22:25
As we testified before this committee earlier this year, New York City Parks has been working tirelessly to increase the number of lifeguards serving our city, and those efforts have already produced real results for New Yorkers.
0:22:41
Today, we're thrilled to share that our lifeguard core grew significantly over last year with 930 lifeguards in our ranks at the season's peak nearly a 10% increase in the number of lifeguards protecting visitors at our cities, pools, and beaches.
0:23:01
Thanks to our intensive efforts this past fall and winter, we were able to increase the number of new lifeguard recruits by 46% by expanding testing and training sites, partnering with sister agencies like DOE, to hold qualifying exams at their sites, allowing more flexibility for vision exam locations, and other process improvements.
0:23:30
We're also very proud of the work we did in the off season to successfully renegotiate the Lifeguard Union contract with District Council 37 for the first time in 40 years, which resulted in process improvements such as modified swim time requirements for Lifeguards serving at shallow water pools.
0:23:52
Additionally, we secured an increased baseline hourly wage of $22 for our seasonal lifeguards and a $1000 retention bonus.
0:24:05
All of which greatly aided our recruitment efforts.
