Park in need of more staff
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on April 15, 2015 1:46 PM
The swim lake at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is set to open Memorial Day, but there is not enough help to staff it yet.
"For some reason, we're really low on applicants this year," said ranger Crystal Lloyd. "I think kids don't want to work outside and this is an outside job, not in the air conditioning."
The Cliffs is looking for seasonal staff for the lake for the summer, from the week before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
"We're looking for concession stand workers, who must be at least 15 years old," Lloyd said. "We pay minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour."
She said concession stand workers will take money from people who come there to swim and rent boats. They will also sell concessions while the swim lake is open.
"They must be able to add and subtract and have good customer service skills," Lloyd said. "The lake will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. so they would work a 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule. It would also be 40 hours a week and they'd have to work weekends and holidays."
But there is some flexibility in that schedule, for instance, if someone goes to church on Sunday.
The Cliffs needs three or four people for the concession stand.
Also needed are four or five lifeguards for the swim lake, who must be at least 16 years old and be certified.
"If they're not certified, one of the rangers will have a certification class here at the park at the beginning of May for about $50," Ranger Lloyd said.
That job is $9.36 an hour, and it's a 40-hour per week position.
Seasonal help will train the week before Memorial Day and the opening of the swim lake. In August, the swim lake will be open weekends only. Applications will be taken through the end of the month. Stop by the visitor center to pick up an application.
For more information, call the Cliffs at 919-778-6234.