Ames Today

Ames Parks and Recreation Department continues to seek lifeguards and slide attendants to staff the Furman Aquatic Center for the upcoming season. While staffing the facility has historically been challenging, the Department noted a significant decrease in applicants this year.

“This is a difficult situation because we know how much the community supports the Furman Aquatic Center. Yet, safety remains our priority, and we operate under mandated minimum staffing levels to ensure safety,” said Keith Abraham, director with the Ames Parks and Recreation Department.  “Without enough employees, our only option is to close amenities such as pool basins or slides or reduce hours of operation.”

The pool staffing shortage is not a problem unique to Ames. Aquatic centers in central Iowa, the state, and across the nation are facing increased difficulty hiring qualified employees. Other Iowa communities have been forced to consolidate operations and open fewer facilities and/or consider reducing hours of operation for the season due to projected staffing shortages, Abraham said.

To attract more lifeguards, the City of Ames has established an aggressive strategy to mitigate the shortage as soon as possible. Included in the planning are increasing wages for current and new employees, covering the cost of training, adding a shift premium for weekend work, and targeting non-traditional employees such as teachers and retirees.

“We are seeking creative and innovative solutions to what is likely a long-term staffing challenge to large aquatic facilities like the Furman Aquatic Center,” Abraham said. “We need to find and hire more employees who can help us serve our customers.”

For more information about applying for a position at the Furman Aquatic Center, go to www.cityofames.org/jobs.

The key staffing shortage is for lifeguards, and more lifeguard training is being planned. Lifeguard training takes 40 hours to complete. Slide attendants require a four-hour First Aid/CPR/AED certification. First aid classes are being scheduled and will be provided by the City of Ames. Applicants must be a minimum of 15 years old.

The Parks and Recreation Department manages 38 parks and offers approximately 180 athletic, aquatic, instructional, and wellness programs. Indoor programs are provided year-round at the Community Center and Ames/ISU Ice Arena. 

Original source can be found here.