About 100 summer job openings in recreation program
Gilroy – Interested in spending the summer outside under the sun, not cooped up in a fast food restaurant or clothing store?
If so, the City of Gilroy Summer Recreation Program needs to hire at least 100 employees to fill job openings at its aquatics center, day camps, playground and youth sports. Recreational Supervisor Gayle Glines said the city used to have plenty of applicants but that changed when Bonfante Gardens and the Gilroy Outlets opened. Now it’s a struggle to find summer employees.
The city has improved its pay scale, hoping to attract more interest to the positions. Still, Glines stressed, a job with the recreation department, isn’t just any old job.
“The value is in the experience,” she said, explaining that few jobs for high school or college students offer such a high level of responsibility and opportunity to turn experience from a summer job into a future career.
And employees will learn invaluable leadership skills, said Human Resources Director Lisa Bacio. Also, an individual who receives positive back-to-back reviews for two summers, gets to skip the interview process the following year.
Another issue is the city begins reviewing applications and conducting interviews in April, a time when many teens and college-age students haven’t begun to conceive of their summer plans. The official deadline is April 7, but applications will still be accepted afterward.
The city particularly needs to hire more aquatics employees this year since two pools will be in use. To provide an incentive to potential lifeguards, the recreation department will reimburse up to half of the class fee or $70.
Individuals can opt to earn the lifeguard/instructor I certification, which only allows them to lifeguard, or a Water Safety Instructor certificate, which allows them to teach and lifeguard. Lifeguard/instructor I earn $10.50 an hour while lifeguard/instructor II earn $12 an hour. The pool manager and assistant pool will earn between $12.25 to $15.25 an hour.
High school students qualify for the lifeguard positions but the managers must be high school graduates.
Gilroy also needs employees to work the playgrounds and is planning to hire a head recreation leader and other recreation leaders at a pay scale of $7.75 to $15.25. Playground employees must supervise, organize and oversee games, contests and other events.
Recreation leaders are needed for the youth sport and day camps. Sport camps leaders will earn between $7.75 and $15.25 an hour. They must be able to organize and lead youth in T-ball, softball, soccer and flag football.
Day camp leaders, who will earn between $7.75 and $15.25, also are needed. Applications can be picked up at Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St., or downloaded at www.ci.gilroy.ca.us/hr
