DSPR Race to Hire Lifeguard, Senators Award V.I. Olympic Committee the Gold Medal

With no lifeguard on St. John legislators were concerned about the public’s safety as vacancies were left unfilled by the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, which was heard in testimony at Tuesday’s hearing during the Committee on Budget, Appropriation, and Finance.

DSPR’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024 General Fund Budget is $10,094,218, of which 52 percent is for personnel services totaling $5,286,222. Personnel service is broken down into classified positions at $4,257,692, unclassified positions at $919,030, overtime at $70,000, night differential compensation at $19,500, and other differentials at $20,000, said Commissioner of DSPR Calvert White.

With a total of 130 positions, 15 exempts, and 105 classifieds, the department has 10 vacancies that need to be filled. Of the positions, three are Groundskeepers, one Administrative Officer I, two Administrative Officer II, one Administrative Officer III, one Youth Community Coordinator, one Recreation Leader II, and one Lifeguard Instructor need, according to the testimony.

Sen. Javan E. James Sr. inquired about the filled positions of lifeguards by district, which led to the commissioner momentarily denying having any oversight on any beaches on St. John. Chairwoman Donna Frett-Gregory pressed for clarity, and White stated that Oppenheimer Beach was under their jurisdiction, which does not have a lifeguard present.