Chicago Park District offering incentives to lifeguards

CHICAGO (CBS)-- There's another looming lifeguard shortage as Chicago's beach season starts on Memorial Day weekend.

The Chicago Park District is offering incentives to make sure there are enough lifeguards. A one-time $600 retention bonus will be paid to year-round lifeguards, and summer lifeguards, who stay on the job.

"We rely on our summer workforce to fully deliver on the essential, quality summer programs and services that residents have come to expect from us. The retention bonus is one approach to attract and retain the most qualified and enthusiastic lifeguards needed to open all beaches and pools this summer," said Chicago Park District CEO & Superintendent Rosa Escareño. "In addition, we're looking ahead to next year and focused on offering competing wages and building our future pipeline of summer workers and lifeguards disrupted over the past two years."  

The park district said it's optimistic about the number of applications it's received, but only a number of the qualified applicants have completed the required skills test and certification.

Other incentives include tickets to Chicago Fire FC soccer home games and a chance to win a one-day pass to Lollapalooza and a Divvy membership pass.

For the summer. the average current wage will be raised to an equivalent of $17.45/hour for new and returning hires. It'll be more than $18 for current year-round lifeguards.

The lifeguards have to pass "specific skill tests and be properly certified, and as a result have always been more highly compensated than most other District seasonal staff," according to the park district. 

The Chicago Park District is also taking care of the $85 for the required American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Certification training.

According to the district, last year, more than 80 seasonal lifeguards got full-time jobs with the Chicago Park District after their summer lifeguard position.

Lifeguards have to be at least 16 years old, pass specific skill tests and be properly certified. For more information to apply, visit the Chicago Park District site.

In:
• Chicago
• Chicago Park District
• Lifeguard