Brooklyn Lifeguard Factory is NYC Parks—And They’re Open for Business
New York Times reporter Corey Kilgannon highlighted an amazing transformation at Bushwick High School: after decades of neglect, the school’s pool now hosts boys’ and girls’ swim teams that are competing in the city’s Public School Athletic League (PSAL). It’s an inspiring story of how Marvin Carbajal, a teacher on the Bushwick campus, dedicated his time and interest to revive a swim program that was a local powerhouse during the 1990s.
Bushwick High School coach Marvin Carbajal. Photo: Amir Hamja for The New York Times
A key conceit of the piece is that Bushwick’s revival will replenish a pipeline of prospects to fill the depleted ranks of the City’s Lifeguard Academy. Recent news reports suggest that barely half the 1,500 lifeguards needed to staff the city’s public pools and beaches were available last summer. Besides reducing the hours for NYC residents desperate to get relief from the summer heat— the city’s 6th hottest on record—the lifeguard shortage forced Parks leadership to cancel its annual free learn-to-swim programs for children.
[Commentary: Why Community Learn-to-Swim is an Essential Part of Summer in NYC]
In Kilgannon’s—or his editor’s—eagerness to connect the Bushwick swim story to the city’s desperate need for more lifeguards, his piece is titled “Brooklyn’s Lifeguard Factory Is Open Again.” In fact, the real lifeguard factory for our city of 8.5 million residents is NYC Parks, and they are open for business starting this week.
The requirements to qualify for free lifeguard training is to pass a swim and vision test during one of three sessions this week throughout New York City:
Wednesday, January 18; 5 - 8pm
Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center
232 W 60th St, New York, NY
Thursday, January 19; 6-8pm
Roy Wilkins Recreation Center
177-01 Baisley Blvd, Queens, NY
Friday, January 20; 4 - 7pm
Chelsea Recreation Center
430 W 25th St, New York, NY
For more information about becoming a lifeguard and working for NYC Parks, please visit this link: https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/jobs/lifeguards
And, not just anyone can become a lifeguard—even thought they are in high demand. To successfully complete the Municipal Lifeguard Training Program—and qualify to work for NYC Parks—you must:
• Complete all 40 hours of training (over 16 weeks)
• Pass a CPR course
• Pass all final swimming tests and a written test
It’s a great job for fantastic people.