Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard

Description

Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis for future vacancies.

The Position: Under general supervision, Ocean Lifeguards patrol beaches with the overall goal of providing protection to life, limb and property. Ocean Lifeguards guard an area of beach from an assigned station, patrol a section of the beach, participate in marine and other related emergencies, and make rescues and prevent marine accidents.

IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION:

Candidates must successfully pass a mandatory swim test at the Main Beach Lifeguard Tower. Testing will occur on the following dates:

• To Be Determined for the 2025 Season

*Candidates who cannot attend dates listed above may request an individual swim test. Requests for a swim test MUST be made at least 5 days in advance and a completed job application and physical testing waiver must be submitted prior to testing. Swim tests are available Monday through Sunday between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M.

All requests must be emailed to lifeguardswimtest@lagunabeachcity.net . Please contact Marine Safety Lieutenant Tom Cantrell at tcantrell@lagunabeachcity.net with questions.

Testing Day Details:

The physical test will consist of three (3) events:

1) 1,000 Meter Ocean Swim- Must complete in under 20 minutes to qualify for the remainder of the testing.
2) Run / Ocean Swim / Run
3) Sprint Ocean Swim

Required Physical Testing Waiver (MANDATORY):

The required physical testing waiver is available on the Laguna Beach City website or can be accessed HERE . You may also stop by the Human Resources Division in City Hall located at 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651 . If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian MUST sign the testing waiver.

Candidate Orientation:

Qualified applicants will be invited to Marine Safety Headquarters directly following the physical testing for a brief candidate orientation. Candidates should bring I-9 identification (e.g., government issued ID, social security card, passport, etc.). All documents must be originals. Pictures or photocopies of documents will not be accepted.

Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Training Academy:

Prior to placement in the position of Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard, a candidate must complete and successfully pass all components of the City of Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department 100 hour Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Academy. There are two options for the Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Academy. The Academy will be scheduled from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Candidates must choose one of the Academies listed below:

For the 2025 Season:

• Academy #1: Weekdays December/January: (December 23-24, 26-27, 30-31, & January 2-3) *Academy will not be held on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
• Academy #2: Weekends in April: (April 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, & 26-27)

During the Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Academy, Trainees will be paid minimum wage at $17.00 per hour. Completion of the Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Academy does not guarantee placement in the Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard position, nor does it imply continued employment.

Final Selection/Pre-Placement: The appointing authority will review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions. Candidates will be hired based on department need and in order of academy finish.

Prior to becoming an Ocean Lifeguard I, candidates will be required to pass a background check and fingerprint check with the Department of Justice. Candidates who are selected for placement in a Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard position must compete and pass a pre-placement physical, which includes a drug test.

Examples of Duties

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Patrols and provides continual surveillance of swimmers in a designated section of beach and water from an assigned station
• Participates in ocean rescues
• Protects bathers and warns them of dangerous conditions
• Maintains telephone or radio communication with Marine Safety Dispatch
• Maintains and ensures equipment and supplies are in good working condition
• Answers questions and assists the public as necessary
• Informs bathers and boaters of hazardous ocean conditions
• Removes dangerous objects from ocean and surf line
• Maintains daily records of activities of assigned area and reports them at the end of the shift to the designated personnel
• Advises beach patrons of municipal ordinances, California Harbor and Navigation regulations and California Fish and Game Codes
• Operates specialized lifesaving equipment and performs various emergency medical skills
• Participates in rescues, first aid events, and aquatic emergencies until relieved by a supervisor
• Provides assistance as a Junior Lifeguard Instructor, providing oversight and instruction to program participants
• Provides relief to other Lifeguards on duty
• Maintains a professional and courteous relationship with the public and peers
• Performs other duties as required

The normal duties for an Ocean Lifeguard I can be found HERE.

Qualifications

Any combination demonstrating the ability to perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:

A qualified applicant must be at least 16 years of age as of June 10, 2025.

Education : Graduation from high school or equivalent is required if over the age of 18.

Experience : Successful completion of the City of Laguna Beach Marine Safety Tryouts, and subsequent successful completion of the City of Laguna Beach Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Academy is required.

Supplemental Information

Required Knowledge: Principles and practices of modern, open-water lifesaving techniques; equipment and apparatus used in ocean lifesaving operations; appropriate Basic Life Support and EMT protocols; surf, local climate and ocean environment, currents and hazards, water quality, geographic conditions and how they affect the beach and rescue environment; procedures of record keeping; principles of basic report preparation; principles and practices in dealing with the public; federal, state, local, and municipal ordinances pertaining to recreational use in a marine environment, California Harbor and Navigation Regulations and California Fish & Game Codes; specialized lifesaving equipment and public relations skills.

Required Abilities: Run, swim, paddle and make rescues in adverse weather and surf conditions; quickly assess emergencies and adopt effective courses of action; use compass and navigational aids; learn, interpret, apply and enforce the policies, procedures, laws, ordinances and regulations dealing with the enforcement of municipal and marine law and the City department and division policies and procedures; maintain and prepare accurate and complete narrative reports from personal observations and information provided by others, using correct English spelling and grammar; use a computer for word processing, record keeping and other routine duties; speak clearly and understand and carry out written and verbal instructions, operate standard office equipment, learn and understand pertinent procedures and functions quickly and perform without immediate supervision using appropriate judgment; remain calm and courteous under pressure, accept responsibility and accountability for the performance of duties and maintain effective, professional, courteous and cooperative working relationships with those encountered in the performance of duties.

Laguna Beach: With seven and half miles of City beaches and towering hills with captivating Pacific views, Laguna Beach residents enjoy some of the most stunning landscapes in Southern California. The City of Laguna Beach hosts millions of visitors to its world-famous arts festivals and beautiful beaches. Services provided to its resident population of approximately 24,000 include police, fire, marine safety, recreation, parks, public works, community development, parking, transit and animal control.

The Department: The City of Laguna Beach, Department of Marine Safety protects over six million beach visitors along seven-and-a-half miles of the City's coastline. Every day of the year, lifeguards ensure safety and provide customer service to the visitors on the beach, boardwalk, and in the ocean. The Marine Safety Department provides the City of Laguna Beach with the highest level of lifeguarding services and is recognized as an Advanced Agency by the United States Lifesaving Association.

LAGUNA BEACH MARINE SAFETY ASSOCIATION (LBMSA)

Pay Plan: The basic pay ranges are composed of eight (8) steps.

Overtime/Compensatory Time: All unit employees shall be compensated at a rate of time and one-half for all hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per workweek.

Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards may request compensatory time off subject to approval by the appointing authority. They may accumulate a maximum of eight (8) hours of compensatory time at the employee’s option. An additional sixteen (16) hours of compensatory time may accumulate with management approval. Use of compensatory time is subject to management approval on a request-by-request basis.

Special Pay: All unit employees shall receive a pay advance of two pay steps and 5% of their base pay for obtaining their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

Equipment Allowance: Effective the pay period that includes July 1 of each year all unit employees shall be paid an amount of $250.00 for necessary, self-procured equipment, including sunglasses, mask, snorkel, fins, binoculars, and a jacket.

Retirement: The City shall deduct 3.75% of the gross pay from eligible unit employees’ bi-weekly paychecks and contribute such amount to the Public Agency Retirement System (“PARS”) accounts of all said eligible “Seasonal Ocean Lifeguards,” or to another qualified retirement program that has been agreed upon by the parties and is applicable to “Seasonal Ocean Lifeguards.” Additionally, the City shall contribute the equivalent of 3.75% of unit employees’ gross pay into eligible unit employees’ PARS accounts.

For Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards only, the City shall contribute the equivalent of 7.5% of unit employees’ gross pay into the eligible employees’ PARS accounts, or to another qualified retirement program that has been agreed upon by the parties and is applicable to Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards.

Deferred Compensation Plan: All Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards will be eligible to make voluntary contributions to one of the City’s 457(b) deferred compensation plans.

Health: For Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards only , medical coverage will be provided as follows: The City will pay the full cost of the HMO plan rate for employee only; family coverage will be offered at full cost to employee.

Part-time unit members who qualify for medical coverage under the Affordable Care Act will be offered access to the City’s HMO plan. Eligible employees who elect coverage under the City’s plan shall pay the entire premium amount, with no contribution from the City.

Flexible Spending Plan for Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards: Each January, the City will deposit a lump sum amount of five hundred dollars ($500) into a flexible spending plan for each Recurrent Hourly Lifeguard to use for eligible IRS 125 expenses (medical, prescription, dental, vision).

Skin Cancer Screenings: Annual skin cancer screening examinations shall be provided to all unit employees at a facility selected by City. Unit employees who are screened off duty will be paid one (1) hour of compensation.

Sick Leave: Effective July 1 of each year, employees are granted 3 days or 24 hours, whichever is greater. In October of each year, employees will be granted one additional sick day or 8 hours of sick leave, whichever is greater, above the statutory paid sick leave. Employees may carry over accrued sick days to the following year, with a maximum cap of 6 days or 48 hours, whichever is greater. Accrued sick leave will be restored if an employee separates from the City but returns within 12 months.

• 

• City of Laguna Beach

• 949-497-0312

Show more