The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
DEEP seeks lifeguards for 2022 summer season
HARTFORD — The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is actively seeking lifeguards for the upcoming 2022 summer season at the eight Connecticut
State Parks-guarded beaches, according to a release.
The job touts life skills and friendships to last a lifetime, as well as important resume-building qualities attractive to any future employer. Increased starting salary and paid training and certifications are the opportunties awaiting anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard this summer with the state DEEP, the state agency said in its release.
Positions are available at several inland and shoreline swimming areas, including Black Rock State Park in Watertown, Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield, according to Will Healey, communications director at the DEEP.
“Lifeguarding is an incredibly important service provided to visitors at several of our state designated swimming areas,” DEEP Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Mason Trumble said in the release. “It’s a very rewarding position that teaches many valuable life skills such as leadership and responsibility, communication, and being part of a team, all skills that are valuable for future employment opportunities. Plus, your ‘office’ would be some of the most beautiful locations in the state.
“We want to fill as many of these positions as we can so that we can have more swimming areas guarded. We hope you consider applying to join our fun, hard-working team.”
The starting salary for lifeguards has increased to $16 an hour. Also, DEEP is providing all training required to work as a lifeguard at the state park beaches, and training time is paid, Trumble said.
DEEP said the basic duties of a lifeguard are to monitor activities in swimming areas preventing accidents and providing assistance to swimmers at state park beaches; to caution swimmers regarding unsafe areas; to maintain order in swimming areas; to rescue swimmers in danger of drowning and administer first aid and/or CPR as required; to participate in physical and rescue skills training; to perform general maintenance tasks and other related duties as required.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., five days per week, for a total of 40 hours. Most weekends and the July 4 holiday are mandatory. The minimum age is 16 for lifeguards and 18 for lifeguard supervisors.
The deadline to apply is June 17. To apply, go to Lifeguard Program at ct.gov. For more information, contact Sarah Battistini at sarah .battistini@ct.gov or call 860-418-5958.