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Clovis parks report nationwide lifeguard shortage locally; starting pay raised to $14.50, recruitment push planned
Summary
Parks staff told the committee that lifeguard shortages — reported as part of a nationwide trend — have left several full‑time and part‑time positions unfilled; the city increased starting lifeguard pay to $14.50 and staff will expand recruitment and advertise training.
Parks staff told the committee that lifeguard staffing shortages — a challenge they described as “nationwide” — are affecting local pool operations and leading to intermittent closures.
“We've had continual shortage staffing shortages. There's no way not to say it,” Russell said, explaining current vacancies. He said two of three full‑time lifeguard positions are filled (one vacancy), two of four part‑time with benefits positions are filled (two vacancies) and the department has about 25 casual lifeguards, many of them high‑school‑aged and available only for limited shifts.
Staff described the department’s onboarding and certification pathway: candidates may apply as casual lifeguards, begin paperwork and be given access to the Red Cross online materials; the city covers certification costs and then conducts in‑person skills testing. Russell said the department sometimes sends staff to larger training courses or brings instructors in to certify multiple candidates at once.
The committee heard the city has increased starting pay for lifeguards to $14.50 per hour and that the benefits package for positions that include benefits is substantial, including retirement options the city described during the meeting. “The city of Clovis puts in 14% to [the 401(a)‑style plan] … the employee is only required to put in 3%,” a staff member said while explaining retirement options for benefit‑eligible positions.
Committee members asked staff to advertise increased pay and available certification classes more broadly and to consider longer‑term compensation and retention options. Staff noted a planned compensation study and said they will keep pursuing candidates and internal promotions from casual to benefit‑eligible roles.
Ending
Staff will increase recruitment outreach, advertise the $14.50 starting pay, continue certification and onboarding efforts and return with results; the committee did not adopt additional wage or incentive changes at the meeting.
