'Tis the season, to start thinking about Summer Jobs! – By Sarah Barnett

Here at the Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation, as we are planning our annual Breakfast with Santa and Light Parade, we are also busy planning for our summer! Along with the new year, comes our busy season.  From about March-May, most of us here at the Department of Parks and Recreation are gearing up for the summer, which is our busiest season.  March begins my marathon work season. I spend the entire spring hiring, training and orienting my summer hires, as well as preparing Signal Bay Water Park for the summer.  With that being said, starting in just a week, we will have our first Lifeguard Class of the season!  If anyone you know is looking for a fun summer job, where they can also learn valuable skills like customer service, first aid and accountability, then encourage them to consider lifeguarding!  Many of our lifeguards come back year after year because they love the outdoor environment and the very friendly patrons!  Additionally, they are well trained in scanning the water, water rescues, first aid, and CPR, which are always good skills to have.  It was while working my summer job in college that I found my passion for Aquatics.  I was never a pool rat or a swimmer as a child. I was 20 years old and about to start my senior year in college when I needed a summer job. I was quickly trained and hired as a lifeguard.  After I graduated college, I took a job lifeguarding over the summer to give myself time to find a “real job”.  However, at the end of the summer, I loved the job so much, and the job loved me, so I was offered a full time job with the swimming pool management company that I lifeguarded for.  The rest is history!

It is NOT too early to start thinking about summer employment! Our next lifeguard class starts Saturday December 21 at 10am (Activity 4363).  Cost is only $210.  Getting certified early will help your chances of getting hired to work at a swimming pool!

Sarah

Sarah Barnett is Aquatics Supervisor for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached at 703.335.8872 x3672 or via email at s.barnett@manassasparkva.gov.

Community Matters is a blog created by the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation. The blog features program updates, announcements of new services, special event notices, or information of general interest.