In the summer of 2021, Philadelphia’s Department of Parks and Recreation reopened some public pools in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. While this provided access to outdoor recreation and cooling during the heat season, only a fraction of the city’s pools was able to reopen – not directly due to the pandemic conditions, but instead due to a shortage of workers to provide necessary safety measures and other services. In particular, there was an acute shortage of lifeguards, as people were slow to reenter the workforce following the Covid-19 quarantine. As a result, by the end of June, only 47 of the city’s 69 public pools were slated to open. The remaining 22 pools would continue to be inaccessible to communities.
This year, the Parks and Rec Department appears to be taking steps to continue returning these much-needed services to pre-pandemic levels, based on information circulated regarding opportunities for summer employment. Positions for lifeguards are advertised beginning in May, with free training including Red Cross certification. Pay is set at $15.25 per hour, and the season runs through September. Philadelphians aged 16-24 are eligible to apply. Anyone aged 18 or older is also eligible to apply for employment as a pool maintenance attendant, with pay of $14.25 per hour. This role, also from May through September, is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the pool and surrounding grounds. For more information about these opportunities, visit phila.gove/lifeguards or email lifeguard@phila.gov.
For those interested in outdoor work in a different kind of environment, roles are also open to work in city parks. The roles of seasonal Park Ranger and Maintenance Attendant, both paying $14.25 per hour. Seasonal Park Rangers support the Park Rangers unit, and work to enforce park rules and provide general customer service to visitors, for a period of 6 to 9 weeks during the summer. Seasonal Maintenance Attendants are hired for a period of 6 months, at one of five sites: Hissey Playground, McPherson Park, Harrowgate Park, Maguire Playground, or Fairhill Square. For more information about the Seasonal Park Ranger opportunity, email renee.adderly@phila.gov; for more information about becoming a Seasonal Maintenance Attendant, email PPRstewardship@phila.gov.
And finally, for those who enjoy the outdoors but also want to assist with community education activities, the positions of Literacy RSI and Play Park Recreational Instructor are available at some sites. Literacy RSI’s help plan and implement activities focused on reading for summer day camps, including McVeigh Rec Center as well as traveling to other sites. At $15 per hour, this position runs from June 17 to August 12. Play Park Recreational Instructors focus on the children and families at Hissey Playground, McPherson Park, and Harrowgate Park, and provide engaging summer activities between June and August. Instructors are paid $15 per hour for an 8-to-10-week period. Information about these roles can be solicited from grace.cannon@phila.gov and john.murawski@phila.gov, respectively.
Philadelphians looking forward to returning to outdoor activities this summer can enjoy being on either the providing or receiving end of all these supportive roles. Those who serve their communities through these employment opportunities can bring inspiration and hope for a more normal post-Covid future.
