photo by: Nick Krug/Journal-World File Photo

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, pictured Thursday, July 7, 2016.

The City of Lawrence is increasing its efforts to hire lifeguards for the summer in hopes of preventing the delays in pool openings and other disruptions caused by lifeguard shortages last year.

Last summer, Aquatics Supervisor Lori Madaus said the city was only able to fill 60 of the 100 lifeguard positions it needed to have the two city pools fully operational. The Outdoor Aquatic Center opened a couple of weeks later than usual last year, with reduced hours and features, and the Indoor Aquatic Center continues to have reduced hours and the children’s swim area remains closed.

Madaus said that the city started hiring for summer lifeguards at the beginning of January, which she said is about a month earlier than usual, and minimum pay has been increased by $1 per hour since last year.

“We all want to be open just as much as everybody else, so that’s why we’re trying to get this push a little bit earlier,” Madaus said.

She said most summer positions are part-time, but with the option to work up to 30 or 35 hours, and run from about May 1 through September. The pay has been raised from last year from $10 per hour and above for lifeguards and $11 per hour and above for head lifeguards to $11 and $12 per hour and above for lifeguards and head lifeguards, respectively. Madaus said the city is also announcing the open positions in additional locations, including social media.

Like last year, Madaus said the city is hoping to hire 100 lifeguards. If the city isn’t able to fill enough positions, she said the city would face the same disruptions as last year — opening delays, reduced hours and reduced features.

“We’ll do our best to have things open, but it all does depend on the staff because safety is our main priority,” Madaus said. “We want to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time.”

Positions are open to those 16 and older and no prior experience is necessary, as training is provided. Madaus said lifeguards typically work at both the indoor and outdoor aquatic centers, and that people seem to enjoy the job.

“People get to work with their friends, they get to spend time with a lot of our community members, so it’s a really fun job,” she said.

Those interested in becoming a lifeguard can apply on the City of Lawrence jobs website, lawrenceks.org/jobs.