Building a Strong and Diverse Team of Lifeguards
Track: Aquatics 

Thursday, October 13, 2016 | 10:30am - 11:45am

Speaker:

Kerrie Stoops, Aquatic Center Coordinator, Seattle Parks & Recreation

Alvin Barnes, Recreation Specialist, Seattle Parks & Recreation

Erin Bruce, Assistant Aquatics Coordinator, Seattle Parks & Recreation

Session Description:

Recruiting and retaining lifeguards is proving to be one of the most difficult staffing challenges facing parks and recreation organizations today. Seattle Parks and Recreation, one of the largest aquatics employers in our region, may have found a solution! Seattle has been focusing on a new lifeguard recruitment strategy the past three years, including improving the ethnic diversity of lifeguarding staff to better reflect the diversity of the community. The new recruitment strategy is having positive results! This session will include an introduction to Seattle’s new recruitment strategy including basic recruitment, certifications, career planning for entry-level staff and the keys to working with young employees.