NATCHEZ — The Natchez YMCA plans to hire between 15 and 20 lifeguards for the community pool planned to be finished in less than two months.

Natchez YMCA Director Alice Agner said the organization would consider applicants with various levels of experience, and they have a training course to ensure the pool has competent lifeguards who will keep swimmers safe.

“We will not compromise on safety,” Agner said.

The lifeguards, Agner said, will have the flexibility to work between four and 30 hours a week and — depending on prior training — can earn from $8 to $10 dollars an hour.

The training will take place beginning May 11 with a test to make sure candidates can fulfill the prerequisites for the job.

Measuring the applicants’ swimming abilities, the test requires swimmers to perform a 300-yard swim with both the breaststroke and crawl-stroke, tread water for two minutes using only the legs, retrieving a 10-pound brick from the bottom of the pool to simulate a rescue, and exiting the pool without use of stairs or a ladder.

Applicants who satisfy the prerequisites can then take the actual training course to become a lifeguard, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 12-13 and 19-20. Participants must be present for each day the class is held.

The course costs $175, but Agner said those who work for the pool through the summer would receive a full refund of the training costs.

If an applicant already has a lifeguard certification, that person must only display the necessary skills and need not go through the entire training course.

Agner stressed that while the pool presents a good opportunity for youth to earn money over the summer, the lifeguards must also realize they will be held to a high standard.

“It’s a big responsibility,” Agner said. “I will tell you it’s not a matter of if we’re going to have to pull somebody out of the pool; it’s a matter of when and how many times we’re going to have to do it this summer.”

Agner said she plans to distribute flyers to area high schools as well as Copiah-Lincoln Community College next week to make students aware of the openings.

Those interested in lifeguarding or who have questions can contact Agner at 601-326-0558 or by email at natchezaquatics@metroymcams.org.