The City of Syracuse is trying to expand its pool of potential summer job candidates in order to provide more programming for the city’s young residents. Common councilors on Monday approved two measures that waive residency requirements for lifeguards and staff for summer youth programs.
Parks Commissioner Julie Lafave told councilors this would allow them to keep teachers, coaches and other non-resident employees on staff.
“We are not able to hire enough qualified candidates who have that skill set," Lafave said. "These teachers and coaches already have those relationships, especially coaches if we want to offer a sports program, or an art teacher. We want to offer more, but we struggle to offer the amount of programming we’d like to without having these types of candidates.”
Lafave said this won’t deny opportunities for those who might typically seek some of these positions.
“I don’t see this having any negative impact on the current people who already apply to work for us this summer because we always have positions," Lafave said.
Councilor Rasheada Caldwell said she is working with the parks department to build partnerships with the school district.
“We're making sure we’re meeting the needs of our children and our community," Caldwell said. "This will allow our parks to be open even longer and have more opportunities for our children."
The city has relaxed residency and other requirements for hiring lifeguards in recent years due to a shortage of qualified or interested candidates. A lack of lifeguards means fewer city pools can open. The city is seeking to fill up to 100 lifeguard positions this summer.
