By Lauren Sorenson–Even though there is still snow on the ground, Eric Griffith, the Sioux City Recreation Supervisor, is busy at work preparing for the upcoming swimming season.
Griffith is in the process of hiring 80 aquatic staff and is still looking for more. “With the City having five swimming pools, the demand is always high for lifeguards,” he said. “There is always a shortage of lifeguards since the public high schools stopped offering the lifeguarding class and also the local Red Cross has stopped offering the class.”
What sort of things should you expect from the lifeguard classes? Trainees must be able to swim for 300 yards, along with 2 minutes of treading water, and be able to retrieve a brick from 7 to 9 feet of water. Not all in a row, of course.
Certification classes are $100 and are offered on March 21-23, April 25-27, and May 9-11. If you are hired by the city and need to recertify any of your certificates they offer a “challenge day” where you can pay $25-30 and take a test that will recertify you for two more years.
Riverside pool will open Memorial weekend, May 24. The rest of the Sioux City pools will open June 9. Swimming lessons will be held June 16-27 and July 7-18.
Students who are interested in working for the Sioux City pools should prepare for an 8-10 week work period. Griffith explains that this job is perfect for college students because they aren’t tied down to commitments over the school year when students are at their busiest.
If you are interested in applying for summer employment or registering for a lifeguard class contact Eric Griffith at 712-279-6162. Eric will also be on campus for the Morningside Spring Job Fair. Applications are online at Sioux-city.org and can be returned to the Human Resources office on the second floor of City Hall, 405 6th St.
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