Austin looking for summer lifeguards

The city of Austin Parks Department is looking for summer lifeguards to work at pools including Barton Springs. Pam LeBlanc photo

Back in the 1980s, when I was a teen-ager, all the cool kids worked at the pool in the summer.

I don’t think lifeguarding is considered quite so glamorous now, but I’d say spending hot sunny days perched on a stand making sure pool patrons are safe beats flipping burgers or sacking groceries.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department put out the alert this week that it needs lifeguards at its 45 aquatic facilities this summer.

Pay starts at $15 per hour. Applicants must be 15 or older, and must complete training and certification to get the job. New and returning lifeguards must complete the application and hiring paperwork before they can register for training.

Among the city’s facilities are seven regional pools, three community pools, 22 neighborhood pools, and Barton Springs, where locals and visitors alike cannonball into cold, fresh spring water in the center of the city.

Learn more about lifeguarding in Austin at LifeguardAustin.com. Check out the official job posting here and more about lifeguard training safety here.