Addressing the department’s strategic priority to promote water safety, Scottsdale Parks and Recreation offered hiring incentives for lifeguard/instructor positions to remain competitive throughout the Valley. The department received 70 applications - hiring 50 new employees.
“We understood the importance of having sufficient lifeguard staff to oversee our pools,” said Kyu-Bin Hyun, Parks and Recreation manager. “Not only does it allow us to offer a full slate of summer programming including waterpark hours and swim lessons, but more importantly, it significantly reduces the risk of water-related incidents.”
Incentives offered for summer lifeguards in Scottsdale included:
- “Special duty pay” - during the peak summer season (May 19 - Sept. 7)
- Lifeguard/Instructor - $16/hour
- Head Lifeguard - $17.50/hour
- Assistant Pool Manager - $19/hour
- 100% of the StarGuard certification class reimbursed after 90 days of employment
- $200 employee referral bonus
In recognition of Arizona Drowning Impact Awareness Month, Scottsdale Aquatics is waving enrollment fees for swim lessons throughout August. Drowning Impact Awareness Month began in August 2004 in collaboration with Phoenix Children's Hospital and is now the largest collaborative water safety effort in the state.
Starting Tuesday, July 23, residents can sign up via Scottsdale’s online registration system. Swim lessons are offered for children starting at six months through adult swim and stroke refinement lessons. In August 2023, Scottsdale Aquatics offered 336 free swim lessons to more than 200 participants.