DEM Seeking lifeguards, park rangers, facilities attendants and more at state beaches and parks
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| Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel will be working as a lifeguard at Narragansett Town Beach this summer, but many more will need to be hired to adequately protect beachgoers this summer. |
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that it is actively recruiting to hire the remainder of its summertime workforce.
Every year, DEM recruits lifeguards, park rangers, facilities attendants, and other key staff to fill seasonal employment positions at state beaches, parks, and campgrounds during the summer recreation season.
Rhode Island residents, ages 16 and older, are encouraged to
apply. Click here to view vacancies and fill out your application.
With only 52 full-time employees managing 25 parks and preserves, eight saltwater beaches, and dozens of other properties, DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation relies hugely on seasonal employees.
Currently, DEM has hired about half of the almost 500 total
"seasonals" to fill essential summertime positions such as
lifeguards, park rangers, beach managers, facilities attendants,
groundskeepers, laborers, and nature educators.
In Charlestown, one of the hotbeds of activism over beach access, Town Administrator Mark Stankiewicz used the lack of beach staff to throw a wet blanket on public use of beach property owned by the town. Stankiewicz made this warm and welcoming statement to the Providence Journal:
“I understand people wanting more access to the waterfront...There comes responsibilities with that as well. Where are they going to park? Where are they going to go to the bathroom? Who’s going to pick up the trash? Do people expect amenities, just lifeguards and things like that? Of which there will be none, of course. You have the balance between the private property owners and the people who want public access.”
"DEM manages parks, beaches, and other facilities for public access and enjoyment, and hiring a robust seasonal workforce is the main way we fulfill these goals," said DEM Acting Director Terry Gray.
"Although there certainly are challenges in the workforce, we're hopeful
that the prospect of higher pay than ever for lifeguard positions, working
outside at some of the state's premier travel destinations, gaining experience
for future degree programs and employment, and having the opportunity to meet
and work with people from a host of places and backgrounds will attract
applicants to these open positions."
Gray is referring to data kept by the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing that the current number of job openings nationally is at its highest level since December 2000. DEM and other employers also are contending with long-term labor force data revealing that the share of teens participating in the workforce peaked 40 years ago and has declined ever since.
Today, just over one-third, or 35%, of teens between the
ages of 16 and 19 are part of the workforce. BLS data suggest that year-round
schooling and summer classes are a major cause, with the percent of 16- to 19-year-olds
enrolled in summer school tripling in the last 20 years.
Full-time lifeguard positions are available at all state swimming areas, including saltwater beaches such as Roger Wheeler and Scarborough, non-surf beaches such as Goddard, and freshwater beaches such as Burlingame Campground and Lincoln Woods State Park. Pay for lifeguards ranges from $14 to $17 an hour, based on location and position level.
All lifeguard
candidates must receive state certification and must have successfully
completed courses and hold valid cards in lifeguard training, first aid, and
CPR including infant, child, and adult.
DEM also is seeking park rangers, clerks, facilities attendants, and ground keepers to work at recreational sites across the state. Park rangers are instrumental to a safe and fun experience at DEM properties. They give directions to beach-goers and park users, help with crowd control, provide security checks for facilities, and are the first responders in the event of emergency.
Hourly rates for park rangers range from $12.25 to $13.35.
Applicants for Facilities Attendant and Park Ranger I must be 16 years of age
or older and applicants for Park Ranger positions at levels II and III must be
18 years of age or older.
For a complete list of seasonal employment opportunities and to apply, click here. Most positions are full-time and include weekend and holiday hours. Applications must be completed online and paper applications will not be accepted.
The State of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer that is
committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Opportunities for part
time positions or internship/college credits may be available to eligible
staff.
Rhode Island's natural and public assets – including eight
saltwater beaches, 25 parks and nature preserves, 8,200 acres of parkland,
1,000 campsites, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails, and 200 fishing spots –
are magnets, attracting more than 9 million Rhode Islanders and tourists a
year. They're also an engine that adds an estimated $300 million to the
economy, nearly $40 million in state and local taxes, and supports nearly 4,000
jobs a year.
For more information on DEM programs and services, visit
www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram
(@RhodeIsland.DEM).
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