Pittsburgh, Allegheny County looking for pool lifeguards

The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are looking for more lifeguards, as they prepare to open their public pools for the summer.

Pittsburgh is planning to open eight of its pools next month, but the city needs more lifeguards to staff them. If the city can hire more lifeguards, they can work toward opening more pools throughout the summer.

City lifeguards must be Pittsburgh residents, at least 16 years old by June 30. The city provides free lifeguard certifications for applicants.

Anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard at Pittsburgh’s public pools can find application information online.

So far, the city has received about 70 lifeguard applications in preparation for the June 14 scheduled opening of their pools — a week after Pittsburgh Public Schools begin their summer vacation.

The Department of Parks and Recreation needs at least 80 lifeguards to staff eight pools. If the city can recruit proper staffing, they plan to open eight pools — one per City Council District, excluding District 8, which does not have a public pool.

Pools slated to open on June 14 include Ammon, Highland Park, Homewood, Ormsby, Phillips, Sue Murray, Ream and Schenley.

The city will announce plans to open additional pools should the staffing levels allow.

Staffing has been a challenge for public and private sectors this summer. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced this week that several pools at state parks throughout the commonwealth may remain closed because of staffing shortages. Other summertime jobs the city is hoping to fill — like staffing the Roving Art Cart, Farmer’s Markets and Spray Parks — are also open and struggling to attract applicants.

Allegheny County pools

Allegheny County is also hiring lifeguards to staff their public pools. Candidates must be at least 15 years old and have current lifeguard, first aid and CPR certifications. They will also have to present a doctor’s certification form, employment application, and permission to investigate form before taking a required aquatics test.

Potential lifeguards for Allegheny County’s public pools will also have to pass a background check and be willing to work the entire season, including weekends and holidays.

Preference will be given to returning lifeguards in good standing and applicants age 18 or older.

Starting pay for lifeguards is $14 an hour, and training and certification is available.

Additional information about applying for lifeguard positions for the county is available online.

Allegheny County announced plans to open the Boyce Park Wave Pool, North Park Swimming Pool, Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool and South Park Wave Pool on Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6. All pools will be closed the week of June 7 and then reopen — and remain open — starting June 12.

The pools will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. till 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. If a pool does not open by 2 p.m. because of inclement weather, it will remain closed for the day. To receive information and closure alerts for the county pools, sign up for Allegheny Alerts.

Prices range from $1 for children five and under to $8 for non-resident adults. Group discount rates are also available.

At South Park Wave Pool, concrete was replaced and new drain covers were installed, along with other repairs. The entire pool was painted and caulked. Routine maintenance was also completed at the county’s other three pools.

The county also plans to open its spray parks, which are free and open daily from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m., weather permitting. The Deer Lakes Spray Park and Round Hill Spray Park will both open for the season on Saturday, June 5.

During 2020, controls and filtration systems were upgraded and the two large features were replaced at both spray parks. The Round Hill Spray Park also had additional improvements, like artificial turf, benches, shade structures and a retaining wall.