Summer Jobs in the Gahanna Sun

Gahanna Parks & Recreation is combing the water for new hires

By Dan Pearlman

“It’s the best job ever.”

Those are the words of Noelle Dennison, a Gahanna native who began working as a lifeguard at Gahanna Swimming Pool nearly seven years ago. It was that job she held for several summers that ultimately opened the door for the next step in her career.

“As a kid, I loved the social aspect of it,” she said. “I didn’t feel like I was working because I was working with all of my closest friends. I love the personal development that it’s provided me with too.”

Dennison is the new Aquatics Coordinator for the City of Gahanna. As she begins her new role, she encourages other young adults and teenagers to get their feet wet in the world of aquatics.

Even though it’s still cold outside, the Department of Parks and Recreation is now hiring seasonal employees, including lifeguards, swim instructors, pool managers, and guest services and concession workers. Hiring is also open for seasonal camp counselors, assistant counselors and camp managers. The positions are perfect for anyone interested in working with children either over the summer or in the future.

“It is a seasonal job working at the pool, but it does give our staff the valuable career experience that they can translate into really any other role,” said Chris Simmons, the City’s Aquatics Supervisor.

The City is looking to hire a total of 50 to 60 lifeguards to work at Gahanna Swimming Pool and Hunters Ridge Pool. Those hired must be certified by the American Red Cross and 15 years old by the last day of their lifeguarding classes. The certification classes are provided by the City at no cost to the employees.

“We teach all of those classes in house,” Simmons said. “It is free for employees, so if they want to work for us as a lifeguard, they just need to apply. After they’re hired, we’ll put them through the class for free.”

The open positions at the City’s camps are equally as rewarding as those at the swimming pools.

“I do not know anyone who I’ve spoken to in my nearly 19 years of working in the camp industry who did not take something valuable away from their experience as a camp counselor,” said Sarah Mill, the City’s Recreation Supervisor.

Camp counselors will work with children between the ages of 4 and 13. While the staff is made up of counselors with different backgrounds and interests, Mill said many counselors typically are considering a career in education or working with children in some capacity.

“I think for them it is an opportunity to build some of the skills they would need, working not only with the campers, but also camp families and parents,” she said.

Ben Towler began working as a camp counselor in 2021. The Gahanna Lincoln graduate is a special education major at the University of Toledo, and he recently completed his first semester of student teaching. Working as a counselor helped him hone a number of skills, including his ability to form bonds with both parents and children.

“It is honestly probably the most fun I’ve ever had working,” said Towler. “I look forward to coming back every summer. You form great relationships with the campers as well as your coworkers. The higher ups and the bosses here in Gahanna are amazing. They’re very understanding, and they do a great job of working around your personal schedule as well.”

Towler and Dennison hope to see some new faces and more young adults follow in their footsteps when the weather warms up and the pools and camps open.

More information, including the age requirements for the seasonal positions, can be found at Gahanna.gov/job-opportunities.