In competitive job market, cities work to attract seasonal workers

WEST BEND, Wis. — It is no secret that finding people to fill summer jobs has become increasingly difficult.

It meant 2022 was a difficult year for swimming fans and sun worshippers alike in West Bend. The beach at Regner Park was closed due to a lack of lifeguards.

Now, things are looking much better than two years ago, but city officials said hiring still isn’t as easy as it once was.

Ryan Schmidt is the recreation supervisor for the City of West Bend. Schmidt is in charge of hiring lifeguards. He said he expects the city to be at full lifeguard staffing this summer, which is about 35 people.

Schmidt said he believes increasing wages helped attract more lifeguards. Starting lifeguards now earn $17.50 per hour. Returning lifeguards get an extra dollar per hour raise, something Schmidt said he thinks improves retention.

“I have been in the field approximately five years. At my last position, a lifeguard was making approximately $10 per hour. Fast forward five years, starting lifeguards are making $17.50 so I do think being compensated at a higher rate than you would expect for some of the entry-level jobs, it does make a difference,” said Schmidt.

Still, despite increasing wages, other seasonal jobs with the City of West Bend are proving harder to fill.

Mike Jentsch is West Bend’s Park, Recreation and Forestry Department director. Jentsch said he is still working to fill a wide variety of seasonal positions, many of which involve park and recreation facility maintenance.

Jentsch said the huge number of businesses that are hiring young people makes it more challenging.

“We are trying to find those connections with the younger people. The challenge is everyone else is also facing those same hurdles,” said Jentsch.

In an effort to reach more young people, Jentsch said he is leveraging the power of social media to reach job seekers, frequently posting job openings on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

Still, he said taking a traditional approach remains helpful.

“I still like putting an ad in the paper because a lot of parents and grandparents read that,” said Jentsch. “Believe it or not, those parents are the ones pushing their children, ‘you need to apply for a summer job, you need to get a summer job.’”

To learn more about the City of West Bend’s seasonal positions and all employment opportunities, you can visit its hiring website.