(West Des Moines, IA) -- West Des Moines is hiring lifeguards for the summer. The city plans to open both aquatic centers, Holiday Park and Valley View on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 29, through Monday, May 31, 2021.
Hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. for the holiday weekend. Both aquatic centers will be closed from June 1-3 while Des Moines metro schools are still in session. Holiday Park and Valley View will open daily beginning on Friday, June 4.
West Des Moines is hiring 120-lifeguards. Training costs will be reimbursed in West Des Moines. The City of Des Moines is also reimbursing lifeguard training.
“Recruiting, hiring, training, and certifying the number of lifeguards needed to safely open both aquatic centers is a challenge every year, but this year the impact of COVID-19 has made it even more challenging,” said Recreation Superintendent Ryan Penning, “With aquatic centers closed last year for open swim, we simply don’t have the usual number of returning lifeguards.”
Molly Vincent of Adventureland tells WHO Radio News they will hire between 180-200 lifeguards to work in Adventure Bay for our 2021 summer season. She says ages 15 and older may apply, training is onsite at no cost for proper certification. Guards also get paid continuous education training all summer.