[CHARLESTON COUNTY] – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) is seeking candidates for several open maintenance and lifeguarding positions in 2016.
The organization’s maintenance division is currently accepting applications. CCPRC has a wide variety of technical skills-based maintenance employment opportunities that the agency seeks to fill every year. These varied positions include landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and custodial opportunities. Due to equipment requirements, applicants for these maintenance positions should be a minimum of 18 years of age.
“It is a fun and satisfying environment to work in the park system, with a lot of opportunity for growth,” said CCPRC Employment Coordinator Karen Thompson.
Interested participants are encouraged to view open positions at CharlestonCountyParks.com/Jobs, which will list the most up-to-date status of all CCPRC’s employment opportunities. Potential opportunities with the maintenance division will include positions at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park, and James Island County Park.
CCPRC is also seeking candidates for its award-winning ocean rescue lifesaving team. CCPRC ocean rescue lifeguards make Charleston County’s beach-going experience a safer and happier one throughout the summer and are employed at four park locations throughout the county. In 2014, CCPRC’s ocean rescue lifeguard team rescued 40 patrons in distress in the water and helped 96 others who needed assistance. A long-standing recipient of many accolades, CCPRC has been a United States Lifesaving Association Certified Lifeguard Agency since 1994, and each ocean rescue lifeguard is certified to the level of a South Carolina Department of Transportation Emergency Medical Responder or higher.
CCPRC encourages committed, enthusiastic people ages 16 and older who want to make a difference in their community to learn more about becoming part of the CCPRC lifeguard program by visiting CharlestonCountyParks.com or joining a training program.
In order to guard an environment such as the ocean, lifeguards must keep their bodies in superb physical condition. To help condition candidates, CCPRC is introducing a new training course called the Couch to Ocean Lifeguard Program. This six-week series beginning Jan. 20 will offer people who are interested in learning the skills to be a lifeguard but aren’t sure where to begin. The course includes physical training techniques to help lifeguard candidates improve swimming and running skills, enabling participants to become stronger, more proficient, and more capable lifeguard candidates. The training course is open for ages 15 and up, but lifeguards will be required to be age 16 by the time of employment. For more information on the course, call 843-795-4386.
Requirements to join CCPRC’s ocean rescue (beach) lifeguard team include passing swim and run tests, medical responder training, and Rookie School and Surf School in the spring. Applicants should be aware that the job requires physical strength and stamina, adequate vision and hearing, exposure to varying environmental conditions, emergency and first aid situations of a varied nature, as well as mandatory testing and training prior to and during employment. The demands may seem high, but the benefits are very rewarding.
For more information or to apply for any CCPRC position, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com/Jobs or click on the link below.
