State parks seek lifeguards for summer swimming areas 2014

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With warm weather approaching, West Virginia State Parks are looking for certified lifeguards for many of the areas that offer public swimming during the summer, according to a press release published April 9, 2014, by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources.

The state parks system manages 26 public swimming facilities, including Tygart Lake State Park, which is reopening its swimming area this summer after being closed for upgrades the past few years.

To be hired for a summer lifeguard position, individuals must be certified and have training in lifesaving, first aid and CPR. Certification can be costly, but interested candidates are encouraged to contact park superintendents in the area where they are interested in working to get assistance and advice about qualifying for lifeguarding positions.

“We need lifeguards this summer at many state parks and forest areas and especially at Beech Fork State Park in Cabell County,” said Brad Reed, district administrator with West Virginia State Parks. “Anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard needs to get an application in soon.”

Another consideration not to be overlooked is that while summer jobs such as lifeguarding provide temporary employment, they also can be stepping stones to a career. Summer employees often find their calling, according to Reed, who began working in the state parks system as a summer naturalist in 1987. After graduation from Marshall University, Reed worked at seven different state parks before his transfer to the central parks office. “I’m in a job I enjoy, working for a parks system that is an asset to West Virginia and is beneficial to our quality of life in my home state. It all started with working as a park summer employee.”

For summer job opportunities as lifeguards at West Virginia’s state parks, contact Brad Reed at brad.r.reed@wv.gov. For Beech Fork State Park lifeguarding jobs, email Matt Yeager, superintendent, at beechforksp@wv.gov.