Smithville Looking To Hire More Lifeguards For Municipal Swimming Pool

City of Smithville in need of additional lifeguards to open its municipal swimming pool for the summer season.

Manager Jeania Cawthorn said she is looking to hire 10 more lifeguards. She said they do not get the number of guards they need, the pool might not open for the summer for the first time ever.

“That means that there’s not going to be any summer fun in the pool,” Cawthorn said. “There’s not going to be any birthday parties or family get-togethers. There are going to be churches disappointed because they won’t be able to hold their event here.”

Cawthorn said the guards will undergo training to learn life-saving skills that they can carry with them outside of the job. She said the lifeguard will pay for the training and then be reimbursed by the city once they agree to work at the pool.

“They’re going to be instilled with life-saving skills for the rest of their lives,” Cawthorn said. “I’ve had lifeguards go on vacation after they’ve been trained and they’ve been able to save lives. You get leadership skills. If you’re ever thinking about going into the healthcare field or the childcare field, this is the perfect time to start building skills that will help you in that career.”

Cawthorn said lifeguards are required to be at least 15 years of age. Cawthorn said the salary is $10 per hour.