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Austin Public Works hiring crossing guards ahead of new school year

The department is hoping to fill 55 positions.

AUSTIN, Texas — Want to be a crossing guard?

Austin Public Works is looking for crossing guards to help Austin ISD students get to class safely.

The department is hoping to fill 55 positions throughout the city. Community Impact reports that there are open positions within each council district.

The Public Works department said that there are more crossing guard positions open than in previous years. Historically, there are 20 to 30 crossing guard vacancies to fill over the summer, but this year, that number has more than doubled.

The hourly wage for crossing guards is $15 an hour for 2.5 hours per weekday, including the morning shift that starts right before 7 a.m. and ends at 8 a.m. and the afternoon shift that starts around 2:30 p.m. and ends at 3:37 p.m. Training and equipment are provided, and a criminal background check is required for all applicants.

Anyone can be a crossing guard as long as they're over 18, but the City loves to see parents, guardians and neighbors step into the role.

"When I was a crossing guard, I lived two blocks behind the school," said Leticia Richardson, the City's crossing guard manager. "So, it's always great to have someone that the community knows so and then they'll feel really comfortable with that as well."

Richardson said the City has about 200 crossing guards right now. If the vacant positions aren't filled by the beginning of the school year, supervisors and their assistants will fill in in the meantime.

Anyone interested in applying to become a crossing guard can contact Richardson at 512-974-9181 or apply online.

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