HERMISTON — Parents are anxiously awaiting news on summer swim lesson signups at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center, but center officials need to convince some more people to become lifeguards first.

Brandon Artz, recreation supervisor for Hermiston Parks and Recreation, said the aquatic center usually hires about 100 staff for the season, but is still in need of 50 more lifeguards.

“We’re at a severe shortage,” he said. “We’ve done some recruitment at the high schools, but like everyone else in town, we’re hiring.”

The shortage seems to be nationwide, he said.

Artz said usually the department puts out swim lesson signups in mid-May, and he has already had a steady stream of parents calling to ask about lessons. But they can’t draw up a schedule yet until they know how many lifeguards they will end up having, and if there aren’t as many as usual, that will translate into fewer offerings at the pool. He said that includes hopes the department had to offer free swim lessons to students participating in summer camps with school districts this year.

The aquatic center’s 50-meter lap pool is already filled and being used by the Hermiston High School swim team for practices, made possible by a limited number of volunteer lifeguards. The city plans to open rest of the center’s pools and slides when school gets out, but again, availability depends on staffing, Artz said.

He said going through the Red Cross lifeguard certification process usually costs between $200 to $300 for someone to pursue on their own, but the aquatic center will provide that for free. Artz said often getting certified not only provides high school students with their first job, but allows them to work at their university’s indoor pool during the school year when they go off to college, and then come home to Hermiston to work at the HFAC during summers.

While students are often a good choice for lifeguards because they’re available to work full time during summers, Artz said they also hire adults of all ages, including teachers looking for some extra money over the summer.

For the students, the managers work with them on professionalism and job skills that will translate into future employment. But Artz said they also have a good time together.

“A lot of other jobs, you don’t get to have as much fun as us,” he said.

There are two lifeguard training sessions scheduled for the remainder of May. Those interested can fill out an interest form on the Hermiston Parks and Recreation Facebook page to be contacted, or stop by the Hermiston Community Center during business hours.