Coming up dry

Job applications are at a trickle as season's opening day closes in

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The allure of sitting by the pool all summer keeping a watchful eye over swimmers is apparently not what it used to be.

Aquatics programs all over the Las Vegas Valley are looking for a few good teens to staff Clark County pools and water parks. The shortage has aquatics departments trying to attract manpower.

"We're down quite a bit from where we need to be," said Jessica Ralles, county aquatics recreation program supervisor.

By late last month, Ralles said she had only 80 applicants. She said she needs about 200 to run the county's pools during the summer. Ralles said she would love to have about 250, but that 200 would suffice. Last year, the pool system functioned with 199 lifeguards.

"We were close, but this year we're really far off," Ralles said.

Larger water park pool facilities, with slides and multiple areas, require about 15 persons each day to run in a safe manner. Smaller neighborhood pools need about eight persons per day.

County lifeguards earn between $7.50 and $15 per hour. Ralles said given the pay, she is puzzled about why she does not have more applicants.

"It's surprising because it's much more than minimum wage. It's more than you would make working at McDonald's, but I think a lot of the problem is that we have a lot of competition," Ralles said.

There is competition from other municipalities, but she believes even more competition comes from resorts and casinos, which also hire lifeguards.

Teenagers most often apply, but the job would be good for anyone who has time in the summer, Ralles said. Teachers apply sometimes, she said. But lately, neither teachers nor anyone else has been applying.

"I don't know if it is just that not as many teenagers are working now," Ralles said.

Those who do apply might be surprised at what they can learn through the required training, Ralles said. And that knowledge is beneficial, said lifeguard instructor Doug Carley

"What I tell my students is you're really not paid so much for what you do but what you know," said Carley. "You're trained to potentially save people's lives and prevent injuries."

He said that reality does not dawn on most lifeguards until their first rescue. Carley recalled the adrenaline rush during his first rescue, when a child jumped off a diving board and was unable to swim. Like most people who find themselves in danger of drowning, the child overestimated his abilities. Carley was able to get him to safety.

County aquatics staffers are doing more than ever to make sure such protection is ensured this summer. They will throw a free pool party for teens from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Cambridge Water Park, 3930 Cambridge St. The goal of the party, which will include food, water games and music, is to talk to teens interested in life guarding this summer.

Aquatics employees are trying to drum up staff for the future, as well. They're offering a junior lifeguard program for ages 11-14 this summer. County pools are offering more programs and special events this year, so the shortage comes at a bad time, Ralles said.

"We've got great programs. We just need the staff," she said.

Other entities are feeling the pinch for lifeguards, too. Elgin Williams, field supervisor for City of Las Vegas Aquatics, said his staff has been working on creative marketing methods as well to try to recruit lifeguards. He said he thinks the resorts, most of which have huge pools requiring 60-80 lifeguards each, are taking the biggest bite out of potential staff, especially with new resorts popping up all the time.

But Williams said he's confident about hiring help.

"We will eventually get them. We'll work it out. We'll get the kids," Williams said.

Larger Clark County pools open Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, including Cambridge Water Park; Sunset Pool, 2601 E. Sunset Blvd.; Paradise Water Park, 4770 Harrison Drive; and Parkdale Water Park, 3200 Ferndale St. Smaller county pools open on June 10.

For a complete listing, log on to www.co.clark.nv.us. For information on becoming a lifeguard at a county pool, call 455-8508.

Selected Las Vegas City pools will open Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, and then close again until reopening on June 12 for the remainder of the season. For a complete listing of pools, visit www.lasvegasnevada.gov. For information on becoming a lifeguard at a city pool, call 229-6309.