Exh 8EAGENDA ITEM #8E
APRIL 8, 2002
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Lifeguard Structure/Compensation
DATE: March 19, 2002
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief ofPolice/DPS
BACKGROUND:
Last year, the Atlantic Beach City Commission addressed the issue of lifeguard pay, raising the
pay to a more competitive level for the area. At that time, commissioners asked if the
recommended pay was going to be high enough, and they were told that the recommended pay.
would be sufficient until the Palmer and Cay pay study was completed. It was anticipated that
the Palmer and Cay study would address all of the lifeguard issues relative to pay, positions, and
seniority..
To summarize the results, Palmer and Cay provided some very broad guidelines without
examining the major differences in lifeguard operations in the region, and they did not provide a
detailed implementation plan for part time seasonal employees. They only provided pay grades
for lifeguards and captains, and they did not address lifeguards, senior lifeguards, lieutenants, and
captains.
In the past, lifeguazd pay was established by the City Commission in actions separated from the
other City employees. The recommended implementation contained in this staff report is being
provided to the City Commission for approval. It is also anticipated that after the lifeguazd pay is
established, it will be integrated into the pay system and adjusted with the other city employees in
the future.
Pahner and Cay recommended a starting pay rate for lifeguards at $8.57 per how. We
recommend that this pay begin with a new lifeguard who has not completed the First Responder
certification or mandatory in-service training.
In Atlantic Beach, unlike most of the area agencies, lifeguards aze required to complete First
Responder emergency medical training at the lifeguard's expense and without compensation for
the training time. They are also required to complete more than 40 hows of in-service training
before the season begins. Once lifeguards have met these standards, staff is proposing that
lifeguards have their pay increased to a higher pay to $9.34 per how. This increase is consistent
with the Palmer and Cay guidelines for promotions.
Lifeguazd seniority will be recognized with pay adjustments in the pay scale as utilized by the
Pahner and Cay Study, and provided to other full time employees. However, the pay for seniority
will be capped at $10.39 per hour, which is consistent with five years of experience as an Atlantic
Beach Lifeguazd.
Pay for Lieutenants will be based on Palmer and Cay's methodology for pay adjustments and
promotions. The maximum pay for this position will be 9% above the highest pay for lifeguards.
AGENDA ITEM #8E
APRIL 8, 2002
Pay for Captains will be based on Palmer and Cay's methodology for pay adjustments and
promotions. The maximum pay for thisposition will be 9% above the highest pay for
Lieutenants.
Proposed Pay Scale:
Position Yearn in Position Pay Rate
Lifeguard Trainee 0 $8.57
Lifeguard 1 Years $9.34
Lifeguard 2 Years $9.59
Lifeguazd 3 Years $9.85
Lifeguard 4 Yeazs $10.12
Lifeguazd 5 Yeazs $10.39
Lifeguazd Lieutenant $11.33
Lifeguard Captain $12.34
Staff has compared the rates with the other lifeguard organizations in the area, and the
recommended pay structure will keep Atlantic Beach Lifeguazds competitive.
Budget:
The recommended pay. structure can be implemented within the existing budget. Based on the
historical data from previous years, and after examining assignments and staffing projected for
2002, the pay structure can be absorbed into the existing budget. Lifeguazds will reduce
administrative costs from previous years, alter break schedules to reduce staffing requirements,
and adjust the coverage on the beach to eliminate unnecessary manpower.
The projected staffing of the beach will include 6 stations during week days, and 9 stations on the
weekends. During holiday weekends, 10 stations may be utilized. Locations are typically
consistent, but depending on crowds and demands, the stations may be shifted or adjusted as
needed. The lifeguatds will be on-duty at the stations from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (sometimes
longer depending on crowds) each day.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve the Atlantic Beach Lifeguard organization/compensation
for 2002, and to include future pay adjustments in conjunction with the rest of the city workforce
relative to annual adjustments.
ATTACHMENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY
ITEM NUMBER: