Open Water Lifeguard I/II

City of Carlsbad
$21.86 - $31.25 Hourly
sick time
United States, California, Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue (Show on map)
Jan 22, 2025
The Position The Community: The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant natural open space. World-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector, and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience. DEI: The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal. The Department: The Fire Department's mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by delivering exceptional services in safeguarding lives, property and our environment. We measure our success in accomplishing our mission through customer surveys, comparative analysis operational effectiveness, and goal accomplishment. The Position: Under general supervision, maintains surveillance over a section of beach from an assigned station or patrols a section of beach in a vehicle to protect life, prevent accidents and enforce beach regulations; performs preventative actions in the interest of public safety; provides emergency medical treatment; assists in the maintenance of facilities and equipment; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to the assigned area of responsibility. This position is a temporary, hourly, extra-help position and does not include leave or medical benefits. Additionally, hours are not set and may fluctuate day to day depending on the number of people at the beach at any given time. Minimum availability 3 shifts per month between May 1^st and Sept. 1^st A practical swim test is required:* DATE: Saturday, March 8th You MUST apply in order to be allowed to test Swim Test: 500M ocean swim in less than 10 mins unaided by any propulsion/flotation device. Bring the following to the test: Swimming attire, goggles/cap are optional Towel Water Driver's License *Fins and/or wetsuits are not permitted* Key Responsibilities EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Examples of duties performed by employees in this class may not include all required duties, nor are all listed tasks necessarily performed by everyone in this class. Open Water Lifeguard I: In the interest of public safety, safeguards an assigned area of the beach, and/or ocean; performs preventative actions such as giving safety warnings and monitoring for safety hazards; maintains beach observation towers; performs safety interventions and effects rescues in surf, open ocean, river/streams, harbor and boating areas and roadways; issue safety advisories and warnings to general public; educate public on safety issues related to beach and ocean environments; responds to requests for information from the general public; prepares reports and statistical data of daily activities; administers first aid and CPR when necessary; enforces rules and regulations pertaining to the beaches; participates in drills and training courses; operate and maintain lifeguarding and rescue equipment, vehicles and watercraft; check oxygen tanks, first aid kits and rescue tubes; perform preventive maintenance and repairs; utilizes proper resources to ensure personal and public safety, and performs other related duties as assigned. Advancement on the salary schedule is contingent upon successful performance and attaining and maintaining all required certifications/licenses. Open Water Lifeguard II: In addition to the above, assist in planning, organizing, implementing, and controlling day-to-day lifeguard services; assess ocean conditions and determine staffing levels and tower closures as appropriate; serve as tower dispatcher by dispatching and leading a group of seasonal lifeguards engaged in lifesaving activities; request resources as needed for rescues, medical aids, enforcement action, and public service via radio; communicate and coordinate with other Public Safety resources including responding fire departments, law enforcement, adjacent lifeguard agencies, and State Parks; operate the lifeguard vehicle safely and per policy in crowded beach environments; inspects equipment vehicles for serviceability and make appropriate contacts for replacement resources; oversees removal of hazards and debris from beaches and ocean; implement beach closures per policy; advise the general public of laws, rules, regulations, and safety practices governing beach use. Advancement to the II level is based on appropriate experience, training, certifications, and demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions and is solely at the discretion of the Department Director and the organizational needs of the department. The number of Lifeguard II positions will be limited by operational needs, acquisition of qualifications does not necessitate advancement. Qualifications Knowledge of: Basic operations, services and activities of a professional beach lifeguard service Principles and practices of beach lifeguarding and water safety Beach and ocean environments Methods and techniques of first aid and CPR Appropriate safety precautions and procedures within the area of assignment Operational characteristics of various beach lifeguarding and emergency rescue equipment, communication equipment, and vehicles Basic command structures Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations Advanced first aid techniques Approved lifesaving methods for water safety and rescue of swimmers Public relations principles Ability to : Swim with endurance and proficiency at a level necessary to perform assigned duties Perform beach lifeguarding duties Perform emergency water rescues Respond to emergency situations Recognize and respond appropriately to safety hazards Maintain composure in emergency situations Administer first aid and CPR as necessary Operate and maintain lifeguard and emergency rescue equipment in an efficient manner Enforce applicable beach rules and regulations Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Understand and carry out oral and written instructions Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work Immediately evaluate an emergency situation and act decisively and effectively in response to the situation Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to prescribed methods Handle monetary transactions Safely operate an emergency rescue vehicle (beach) Jump from piers, jetties, and moving vessels Experience & Education License/Certificates: Current Driver's License Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate from one of the following options: American Red Cross - Basic Life Support (BLS) American Red Cross - CPR for the Professional Rescuer & Health Care Provider American Heart Association - Basic Life Support (BLS) American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Life Support (BLS CA State Parks CPR/AED certificate Medical Certification from one of the following options: American Red Cross- Emergency Medical Response American Health Safety Institute-Emergency Medical Response. EMT-B, Paramedic, or other advanced licensure will be accepted in place of EMR. CA State Parks Public Safety First Aid United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Introduction to Open Water Certificate Or a certificate from an accredited lifeguard agency. Training: Graduation from an approved United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Academy- Introduction to Open Water Lifeguarding Academy Or training from an equivalent training organization, such as California State Parks Open Water Lifeguard I: One year of experience, required. Open Water Lifeguard II: All the following, in addition to the ones listed above Three+ seasons working at the equivalent of an Open Water Lifeguard I with one season at the City of Carlsbad preferred Certified Emergency Medical Technician (Basic or Paramedic) in the State of California Completion of the following are conditions of employment for all City of Carlsbad Open Water Lifeguards and must be completed prior to their start date: Swim Test (additional information above) Physical Livescan TB Test The physical, Livescan, and TB test must be completed at a pre-approved facility and will be paid for by the City of Carlsbad. *Attach all required certificates to your application, failure to do so may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.* Environmental Conditions: Incumbents are required to work at a public beach and in ocean water and are exposed to inclement weather conditions often with insufficient protection from the sun; moving mechanical parts, cold, heat, electrical hazards, dusts, blood, bodily fluids, contaminated water, extreme temperatures for prolonged time periods, intense noise, workspace restrictions, aggressive and/or noncompliant members of the public and potentially violent situations. Physical Conditions: Maintaining physical condition necessary for swimming, diving, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, crawling, repetitive motions, sitting, kneeling, bending, running, walking and standing for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to assess a variety of situations and respond to those situations; read and interpret information Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays