Like to work outdoors? Parks summer job fair may be your ticket

Summer is not that far away.

It couldn't be. Dundee Township Park District officials are already thinking of the time when their swimming pools will need lifeguards and the grass in their parks will need to be mowed.

With that in mind, district officials will begin looking for teens to work those jobs this summer at their summer job fair, set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 13.

The fair will be at the district's senior citizen's center, along Route 68.

"We're one of the largest employers for summer jobs in the area," said Helen Shumate, the park district's marketing director.

"We'll have about 400 jobs available for kids who are 14-18 years old. We've also invited the village of East Dundee, along with a few local firms, to be part of the fair."

For the park district, former teenage employees who have been good workers will be given priority, being asked first if they want to work again.

Still, about 150 jobs will need to be filled, Shumate said.

"Some of the people who have worked here in the past won't take the jobs because they have found other work. The ones who do will be lifeguards, cashiers, or concession stand workers at our swimming pools," she said.

"Or, they'll be working at the Randall Oaks petting zoo or at one of our other parks."

The Dundee Township Park District maintains 28 parks. It also owns two golf courses, a recreation center with an indoor pool, the Dolphin Cove Aquatic Center and Sleepy Hollow swimming pool.

"With all the facilities, you can see that we have to start thinking about summer. We have to start planning on who we are going to need, and where," she said.

"There's very few jobs for 14-year-olds. They can work as cashiers at Dolphin Cove. They have to be at least 16 to be a lifeguard."

Many of those jobs go to older teens, who have worked as guards for the park district in the past.

It isn't just teenagers who work summers for the park district, though.

Many of the jobs at Bonnie Dundee and Randall Oaks golf courses are filled by senior citizens, Shumate said.

"We don't know what our competition is going to be for summer workers this year. We'll be competing with private companies for employees, but we don't know what the employment market will be like," Shumate said.

"We'll conduct interviews at the fair, so people who attend should bring at least three references."

Training is expected to begin in April, and the jobs will start in June.

Park district officials will continue to accept applications after the fair. They can be obtained at the recreation center's information desk.

For more about the March 13 fair, call the park district at (847) 551-4300.