As part of efforts to ensure staffing levels are met for all planned summer recreation programs, the City of Toronto is encouraging qualified residents to apply for lifeguard, swim instructor, wading pool and aquatic program assistant positions.
The City continues to recruit and hire certified lifeguards and swim instructors, and encourages residents to take its many aquatic leadership courses to become certified. Youth as young as 14 can apply to become wading pool attendants and aquatic program assistants, and are encouraged to become certified.
Once again, the City expects to employ approximately 2,200 part-time recreation aquatic staff to support safe supervision of its swimming pools and aquatic programs, wading pools and beach waterfront operations. This includes newly hired staff, as well as returning staff.
Jurisdictions across North America are facing lifeguard shortages because lifeguard certification was paused while the world responded to COVID-19. In anticipation of this shortage, the City has been recruiting lifeguards – new applicants and returning staff – since January.
In addition, to support the summer 2022 outdoor pool and supervised beach programs, the City made facilities available this spring specifically for lifeguard and swim instructor certification training to enhance recruitment efforts. These leadership development programs are important opportunities to gain the required knowledge, skills, and certification and are available in weekend and week-long crash courses throughout June and July. Additional courses will be planned for the remainder of the year. More information on aquatic leadership certification courses is available on the City’s Aquatic Leadership webpage.
More information about available positions and upcoming information sessions is available on the City’s Recreation Jobs webpage. More information on certification or re-certification is available on the Lifesaving Society’s website.
The following 10 outdoor pools are expected to open for evenings and weekends as of Saturday, June 18. Check each location for hours of operation on the City’s Swim & Water Play webpage.
Quotes:
“I strongly encourage qualified residents to join the City of Toronto’s aquatics community by applying for a lifeguard position or to be a swim instructor. Recreation staff have been doing everything they can since the spring to enhance recruitment efforts and get lifeguards trained and in place and we want to keep encouraging people to join our team at the city. These recreation jobs are not only excellent jobs for those employed, they are also key to helping all Toronto residents access our services.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Joining the City of Toronto’s aquatics staff is a fun and rewarding experience. There are part-time, flexible and seasonal opportunities available, which are healthy career choices for all ages.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rough Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
“The City continues to fast track its recruitment and training of lifeguards. Once they are hired, staff are paid to attend mandatory training sessions. We are keeping pools open for staff training and certification courses at locations across Toronto.”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
“In order to work, lifeguards need to have a current lifeguarding certification renewed every two years by taking a one-day course. Municipalities are working hard and doing everything they can to offer as many re-certification clinics as possible.”
– Barbara Byers, Senior Research Officer, Lifesaving Society Ontario
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.