Florissant readies pools for summer season, seeks lifeguards and seasonal staff

Mayor Tim Lowry and Aquatics Supervisor Karina DeFore outlined Florissant's preparations for the summer pool season, including recruitment for dozens of seasonal positions, training plans and a calendar of programs and events.

DeFore said the city typically hires "about 90, 90 to a 100 for just lifeguards," with roughly 120 seasonal staff when managers, head lifeguards and cashiers are included. "We have about 30 in right now," she said of current applications, and encouraged residents to apply through florissantmo.com and the city catalog.

The department offers in-house training at the Eagan Center and certification through Ellis and Associates. DeFore said training sessions are held monthly in the weeks before the season and that organizers hope to have a full staff by May 1 ahead of pools opening on Memorial Day and closing around Labor Day.

Florissant operates two outdoor aquatic centers in their third season, DeFore said. "Bangerter Pool has a rock wall, a designated lap swimming lane, and 1 meter and 3 meter diving boards in the deep end," she said. "Coke Park also has a lazy river, 3 slides, half of a basketball court in the water, a play structure for children, and a whirlpool." The Coke Park splash pad is outdoors and open to the public without daily admission; Bangerter includes an indoor splash pad.

Programming for all ages includes a five-tier swim lesson progression (lessons begin at age 3 and run through age 16), competitive and community swim teams and specialty classes. DeFore described a swim-team program that brings "over a 150 participants each year" and said registration for the Fish swim team opens on Easter Monday via the Florissant catalog or in person at community centers.

Class offerings include shallow-water aerobics, Waterworks, Aquazumba and a new "Aqua Flow" class; the department introduced $6 drop-in rates to let customers try classes without full registration. DeFore also noted that Tuesday and Thursday morning aerobics sessions (811 a.m.) are attended mainly by seniors and are designed to be low-impact.

Non-lifeguard seasonal roles include concession and admission cashiers, of which DeFore estimated "about 20 to 25" positions are available. DeFore advised prospective applicants to apply online and said interviews are conducted with pool staff before training.

The podcast concluded with Mayor Tim Lowry thanking DeFore for her work overseeing the aquatics program. For details about openings, registration dates and program schedules, residents are directed to florissantmo.com and the Florissant catalog.