City of Grand Rapids Hiring for Summer Season, Offering Free Lifeguard Certification

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With frigid temperatures and snow on the ground, summer seems a long way off - but the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for warmer weather and hiring for multiple seasonal positions now.

City of Grand Rapids Hiring Lifeguards

Interested in being a lifeguard? Grand Rapids is currently hiring lifeguards for summer 2022 at the three city pools:

• Briggs Park, 324 Knapp St. NE
• Martin Luther King Park, 1200 Franklin St. SE
• Richmond Park, 963 Richmond St. NW

The position is open to those 15 and older, and an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is required. The course normally costs $250, but the City of Grand Rapids will waive the fee for anyone who works at a city pool this summer.

The three-day courses will be held at the Grand Rapids Kroc Center at 2500 S. Division Ave. on these upcoming days and times:

• Feb. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m., Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 18 from 4 to 8 p.m., March 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 22 from 4 to 8 p.m., April 23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parks and Recreation director David Marquardt said in a release,

The cost of taking a test or certification should never be the reason someone can’t become a lifeguard at one of our pools. We want to employ lifeguards who are passionate about serving our community, no matter their current financial circumstances.

GR Parks and Rec is also raising the starting wage for lifeguards from $11.25 to $14 per hour this year.

If you're interested, you can register for a course here,

City of Grand Rapids Hiring Pool Filter Operators, Parks Maintenance Workers

The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department also has openings for pool filter operators. A person in this position is responsible for the cleaning, maintenance and operations of public swimming pools and support facilities. Pay is $15 per hour. You can find more information here.

Now, if you want to stay out of the water, the City of GR is also looking for seasonal workers responsible for the routine cleaning and maintenance of park facilities. Candidates will need to have a valid Michigan driver's license and pass a drug test/ background check. Pay is $15 per hour. Find out more here.