The City of Cortez is hosting a two-day job fair for the Cortez Recreation Center on April 21 from noon to 2 p.m. and on April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Parks and Recreation department is looking to fill about 50 seasonal, part-time and full-time positions, said Director Creighton Wright.
Available jobs are for parks, Conquistador Golf Course, lifeguards, camp counselors, outdoor and indoor pool, recreation center, plus more.
Interested applicants are invited to attend for a free lunch of pizza and bagels, and there will be a chance to win Cortez Cash. Applications can be filled out and turned in at the job fair or online.
Parks and Recreation provides a fun and welcoming work environment while fulfilling important needs in the community, Wright said.
“These jobs provide great work experience and build up your resume,” he said.
Wright said lifeguards are especially needed in order to open the outdoor pool by Memorial Day. He said they hope to hire about 30 lifeguards.
“Right now we would not have enough lifeguards to open the outdoor pool,” he said.
Free training is provided for lifeguard jobs, including life guard certification, first aid, CPR and use of automated external defibrillator.
To qualify for the lifeguard program, applicants must be able to swim 300 yards and pick up a brick at the bottom of the pool.
Staff will work with anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard, including coaching and offering entry positions as a pool aid or slide assistant, until they qualify.
Lifeguards keep swimmers safe, manage activities, conduct rescues and are also trained to teach swimming lessons.
“We need a robust staff in order offer lessons, hopefully we can recruit a good lifeguard class for summer lessons and extend it into fall and winter because it is a big need in the community,” Wright said.
Ten camp counselors are also needed for summer activities and field trips. The program includes safety training for counselors, along with instruction on youth education and curriculum.
Wright said entry jobs start at minimum wage, or $13.65 per hour, but there are good opportunities to move up the ladder and earn higher pay. Hours are flexible, and employees receive discounts for city facilities including at Conquistador Golf Course.
“Come and check us out, even if it is just to have some free pizza and learn all that we offer,” Wright said of the job fair. “We have a great culture, supportive supervisors and staff. We have a lot of summer fun, with special events for staff and patrons.”
The city of Cortez has many other job openings, including a communications technician (911 dispatcher), patrol officer, public information specialist, refuse collector, street sweeper, community services/code enforcement officer, fitness instructor plus more.
Visit cortezco.gov/jobs for more information.
