Indianapolis, Indiana – City leaders in Indianapolis are encouraging residents, especially young people looking for a meaningful way to spend the summer, to consider joining the city’s parks workforce, where hundreds of seasonal positions are expected to open across the community.
During a recent announcement, Mayor Joe Hogsett stood alongside Indy Parks Director Brittany Crone and staff members to spotlight a wide range of summer job opportunities that help keep the city’s parks lively, safe, and welcoming. In total, up to 400 seasonal roles are expected to be available throughout Indianapolis, offering residents a chance to work outdoors while contributing to programs that serve families across the city.
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The available positions span many areas of park operations. Roles include lifeguards and pool managers who oversee aquatic safety, camp counselors who guide children through summer activities, and staff members who support food programs and park services. Other openings include cashiers, park inspectors, and stage technicians, each playing a role in keeping public spaces running smoothly during the busy summer months.
City officials say these positions offer more than just seasonal employment. For many young people, the jobs represent an early introduction to the workplace and to the broader concept of serving their community.
Mayor Hogsett described the opportunity as a way for students and young residents to turn their summer break into something productive.
“Every summer, Indy Parks job openings are the perfect opportunity for our young people to spend their sunny days out of school in a fun, productive way,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett.
“Not only do these jobs offer good wages and a meaningful, career-beginning experience, but they also teach our youth the incredible value and impact of public service in our Indianapolis community.”
Compensation varies by role. Lifeguards can earn starting wages of $15 per hour, while pool managers begin at $16.50 per hour. Camp counselors start at $14 per hour. To help encourage early applications, Indy Parks is offering sign-on incentives for eligible positions. Applicants may receive a $500 bonus if hired by April 2, while a $250 bonus will be available for qualifying hires between April 3 and May 9.
Residents aged 16 and older are eligible to apply for many of the positions. Some roles, particularly certain camp counselor and food program positions, require applicants to be at least 18 years old. Additional details and application information are available through the Indy Parks website.
City-County Councilor Dan Boots, who chairs the council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, emphasized the broader value of the program. He noted that the summer workforce supports vital community services while offering young residents a chance to develop practical skills and earn income. At the same time, the staff helps ensure parks, pools, and youth programs remain safe and welcoming gathering places for Indianapolis families.
Indy Parks also operates aquatic programs throughout the year at indoor pools and during the summer at outdoor facilities, including swim lessons and swim teams. Scholarships are available to help residents participate in those programs.
Director Brittany Crone said the people who work in the parks each summer help bring the system to life. From lifeguards to counselors, she said, staff members create environments where young people can learn, play, and build lasting memories.
In 2025, the department hired 282 lifeguards and a total of 413 seasonal staff members. That same year, more than 4,200 children attended summer camps across the city.
Some construction projects will affect pool operations in the upcoming season. The pool at Willard Park will remain closed in 2026 due to ongoing work related to the IndyGo Blue Line project along Washington Street. Meanwhile, preventive maintenance projects at Broad Ripple Park and Frederick Douglass Park will replace pool liners this spring, with both facilities expected to open after construction and water testing are completed.
Information about the city’s 2026 summer camps and scholarship opportunities is also available through the Indy Parks website.
