The city of Des Moines needs to hire 130 lifeguards this summer, but only 100 positions have been filled and time is running out.On Friday, crews with Des Moines Parks and Recreation finished last-minute work on Teachout Pool in Des Moines.The pool is filled, and water features are turned on, but the lifeguard chairs are empty.Des Moines Parks and Recreation spokesperson Jen Fletcher said it is getting harder and harder to find lifeguards.Des Moines raised its hourly wage to $11.50 last summer, but Fletcher said she worries the increase may not be enough."We're competing with fast-food chains who can offer more money an hour (and) we're competing with lots of extracurricular activities that kids have during the summer," she said. "So, even though it's a solid job, it's 40 hours a week (and) it's good pay, we're still running up against that."The city offers to pay for lifeguard certification, saving new workers a $125 certification fee.Last year, Des Moines closed some pools due to the lifeguard shortage as a last resort.Fletcher said the city is looking for anyone in need of a full-time job."It's a great full-time job for kids 15 and up because you get to be out in the sun, you get to be with people and not only do you learn a valuable life skill, we're hoping the numbers come up," she said.Anyone interested in applying to be a Des Moines lifeguard can apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/desmoines/jobs/2272971/lifeguard.Northwest Aquatic Center will open for Labor Day weekend. All pools open for the summer on June 1.

The city of Des Moines needs to hire 130 lifeguards this summer, but only 100 positions have been filled and time is running out.

On Friday, crews with Des Moines Parks and Recreation finished last-minute work on Teachout Pool in Des Moines.


The pool is filled, and water features are turned on, but the lifeguard chairs are empty.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation spokesperson Jen Fletcher said it is getting harder and harder to find lifeguards.

Des Moines raised its hourly wage to $11.50 last summer, but Fletcher said she worries the increase may not be enough.

"We're competing with fast-food chains who can offer more money an hour (and) we're competing with lots of extracurricular activities that kids have during the summer," she said. "So, even though it's a solid job, it's 40 hours a week (and) it's good pay, we're still running up against that."

The city offers to pay for lifeguard certification, saving new workers a $125 certification fee.

Last year, Des Moines closed some pools due to the lifeguard shortage as a last resort.

Fletcher said the city is looking for anyone in need of a full-time job.

"It's a great full-time job for kids 15 and up because you get to be out in the sun, you get to be with people and not only do you learn a valuable life skill, we're hoping the numbers come up," she said.

Anyone interested in applying to be a Des Moines lifeguard can apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/desmoines/jobs/2272971/lifeguard.

Northwest Aquatic Center will open for Labor Day weekend. All pools open for the summer on June 1.