Reimbursement for lifeguards discussed

Carbon County officials want to entice lifeguards to join the team at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

On Thursday, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich spoke about a recent meeting of the parks and recreation committee that he attended that discussed the shortage of lifeguards situation the lake has had for several years now.

To properly operate the lake, approximately 12 lifeguards need to be on the county’s staff, but in prior years, the previous board had voiced the lack of interest in serving as a lifeguard at the lake.

To entice additional applicants, earlier this month, the new board of commissioners voted to raise the rate for lifeguards to $11 per hour.

In addition, Lukasevich said that discussions have taken place about possibly creating a reimbursement program for those lifeguards who remain at the park for at least two years.

He said that the county is currently looking at reimbursing both the necessary training and certification fees of lifeguards over two years.

Those who serve a season would receive 50% back at the end of the swimming season and then the remaining 50% would be reimbursed at the end of the second swimming season.

“It’s almost like a couple hundred dollar bonus,” Lukasevich said, adding that he is hoping this will allow the county to have a full complement of lifeguards by opening day.

Carbon County manages and maintains Mauch Chunk Lake Park and has always needed lifeguards to help maintain the beach areas. Mauch Chunk Lake officially opens for business on Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day.

Those interested in serving as a lifeguard at the lake can contact Carbon County’s human resources department at 570-325-8523 or the commissioners’ office at 570-325-3611 for an application.