Summer in the city is almost here, but the city needs you. Portland’s seven outdoor pools are set to open Wednesday, June 22 for the season, joining the four indoor pools already open.
Portland’s outdoor pools will be open for 10 weeks, until Sunday, Aug. 28.
But Portland Parks and Recreation is suffering from a staffing shortage and is still hoping for more lifeguards and swim instructors.
“The challenge is not unique to Portland,” the parks bureau said in a press release Friday. “A nationwide survey conducted by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) showed that 88% of park and recreation agencies indicate they are not fully staffed for lifeguards this summer season.”
The goal is to have 750 aquatics staff for the summer, Portland Parks spokesperson Mark Ross said. And as of a couple of days ago, they were 42% staffed with 314 employees.
In Portland, the shortage means swimming lessons will only happen at outdoor pools this summer.
“Lifeguard staffing is not now and is not expected to affect pool hours,” said Ross. “But, some areas of may be closed, like a water slide, if there just aren’t enough staff.”
The staff they do have are committed to the job, Ross said.
“We have had occasions where senior aquatics administrative staff have taken lifeguard shifts to keep pools open for a given session,” he said.
That doesn’t mean they don’t want more people to apply.
“If you or someone you know is interested in helping kids learn to swim while earning good wages with a flexible schedule, please go to the PP&R website to learn about and apply for available positions,” Portland Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio said in the release. “If we can recruit, hire, and train more lifeguards soon, then PP&R can hopefully expand swim lesson opportunities throughout the summer.”
Currently, Ross said, swim lessons are full for the first session, but that could change since lessons are offered based on the number of available instructors.
“That’s why we encourage people to get on the wait list,” he said. “The more staff we’re able to recruit, hire, and train, the more lessons we can add.”
Registration for parks activities for the next session, which starts July 25, begins on Monday, June 27 at 12:30 p.m.
For more information or to apply to work for the aquatics department, visit portland.gov/parks/recreation/pools.
— Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker