City facing a shortage of lifeguards for pools

While some city-owned pool closures in Honolulu are due to pump issues, algae growth and, on occasion, bodily fluids in the pool, oftentimes it is due to a shortage of lifeguards.

Honolulu is looking for more part-time, contract lifeguards to fill various hours at its 21 pools throughout Oahu, according to Nathan Serota, spokesman for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as for its ocean recreation programs.

Honolulu currently has about 209 part-time lifeguards on contract working 19 hours or less per week. There is a high turnover rate, he said, and numbers fluctuate because college students come and go based on school schedules, and sometimes part-timers find full-time positions.

“It’s more the availability,” Serota said. “Each pool has time slots it needs to fill. You need two lifeguards on duty. If we don’t have enough, then we can’t have the pools open. If we had a bigger pool of applicants or people who are on our call, we can fill those voids when we need to.”

In mid-September, when the swimming pool and neighboring pool at Manoa Valley District Park reopened following renovations, the schedule at McCully swimming pool was scaled back due to limited, part-time lifeguard availability.

On a recent Friday morning, McCully District Park’s swimming pool had to close on short notice because only one lifeguard was available. Fortunately, the pool was able to find another one to fill in so the pool could reopen at 3 p.m. that day.

“It’s actually a huge problem,” said Paige Tsuruda, pool manager at McCully District Park. “I don’t know why a lot of guards have just not been available. We have not been able to recruit as many as usual.”

She said it was ideal for anyone looking for a part-time, outdoor job working with the community.

The McCully pool is looking, in particular, for part-time lifeguards to fill evening and weekend slots. But other pools may be looking to fill morning and weekday slots. Lifeguards can work flexible hours up to 19 hours in more than one location.

Serota said it is a good steppingstone to other positions, including emergency responder careers and other city jobs. To qualify, applicants must hold a lifeguard certification from the American Red Cross or its equivalent. The pay is $13.83 per hour.

The best way to apply is to call the swimming pool location directly and speak with the pool manager. A full list can be found at 808ne.ws/poollist.