What are the responsibilities and job description for the Beach Lifeguard I - Seasonal Temporary position at City of Santa Cruz, CA?
Salary : $21.09 - $25.63 Hourly
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type : Temporary
Job Number : 25-058
Department : Fire
Opening Date : 02 / 13 / 2025
Closing Date : 3 / 15 / 2025 9 : 00 AM Pacific
The Position
Santa Cruz Fire Department - Marine Safety Division is hiring seasonal beach lifeguards.
Under close supervision, this uniformed position works with other lifeguard employees and reports to Beach Lifeguard II's. As part of a team, the Beach Lifeguard I provides ocean safety and emergency medical assistance to the public. Employees assigned to operations will guard an assigned area of beach, provide public safety, and detect and rescue persons or vessels in distress. Employees assigned to the Junior Lifeguard Program will work as a program instructor and report to the Junior Lifeguard Lieutenant and Beach Lifeguard II.
Temporary positions are non-benefited. Be advised these temporary positions are of limited duration and are not linked to regular positions of the same name. Temporary positions are limited to a total of 999 hours in a fiscal year.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS :
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Applications will not be accepted on-line. Applicants should report to Lifeguard Headquarters (located at #1 Municipal Wharf) at 7 : 30 am with completed Job Application and Release of Liability forms when reporting for one of three Physical Agility Test dates :
March 1, 2025
March 8, 2025
March 15, 2025
REQUIRED
Candidates MUST bring to the physical agility test :
- Completed City Employment form (also available at the Fire Department Administration building at 230 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz.
- Government-issued identification such as a valid driver's license or identification card to verify candidate's identity and meets the minimum age requirement to test. Beach Lifeguards must be 16 years of age by May 1 of year of hire.
- Candidates under 18 years of age must have to participate in physical agility test signed by a legal guardian or they will not be allowed to test.
- Applicants with a corrective lens restriction must also include a physician's note (within the last 30 days) to verify their current vision.
- Candidates not in possession of these items will not be allowed to participate in the physical test.
PHYSICAL TEST :
Event / Maximum time allowed :
1000 meter swim / 20 minutes 1000 meter rescue board paddle- This portion will be timed, and graded on a scale. The points will be brought into your interview. This is not a pass or fail portion of the test. Santa Cruz City will provide the paddle boards for this event. 200 meter run - 400 meter swim - 200 meter run / 10 minutes. Wetsuits, goggles, and swim caps are permitted; no swim fins.
Interview : Successful candidates from the Physical Agility Test will be notified of the time and location for an interview, which will be scheduled for the Sunday after the Physical Agility Test.
Successful candidates from the Interview will be required to attend all training dates as follows :
2025 Mandatory Training Dates :
Title 22 Medical Training :
May 2 Friday night 1700-2100
May 3 Saturday 0800-1700
May 4th Sunday 0800-1700
May 9th Friday night 1700-2100
New Lifeguard Academy : June 2-6 0800-1700
Note : The regular ocean lifeguard physical agility test is extremely challenging. Candidates should have solid ocean swimming skills and train regularly before the scheduled tryout dates.
Questions regarding this application process should be directed to :
Lifeguard Headquarters
1 Municipal Wharf
831-420-5715
For more information about the Marine Safety Division, and for any updates regarding tryouts
Selection Procedure :
Beach Lifeguard Tryout. A City is required. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. (Note : the following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Chief of the Fire Department.) Applicants must complete a physical test described below. Those candidates who perform within the allotted time will be assigned an interview time following the physical. Successful candidates will be hired as a probationary Beach Lifeguard I and will attend mandatory 80 hour Open Water Lifeguard Training (includes Title 22 First Aid).
Typical Duties
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires excellent health and physical fitness, including the ability to maintain a 1000 meter ocean swim time of under 20 minutes. Vision must be at least 20 / 30 corrected, as Near and far vision are essential for inspecting the area and monitoring swimmers. Lifeguards must be proficient swimmers capable of swimming 1000 meters in the ocean under various conditions and be adept at swimming or utilizing a paddle board in adverse weather for extended durations. The duties entail standing, walking on uneven and sometimes slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, reaching overhead, and making repetitive hand movements. The work environment is predominantly outdoors, exposing lifeguards to various weather conditions such as wet, hot, and cold, including potential work after dusk. There is frequent exposure to water.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals who require them.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience :
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following :
Skills :
Abilities :
Licenses and Certificates :
Other Requirements
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS :
The City of Santa Cruz offer benefits to temporary employees such as reimbursement up to $100 per quarter for a portion of health care costs (employee must work more than 220 hours in defined quarter) and discount bus pass program. Temporary service employees are eligible to participate in the CalPERS long term care insurance program.
Upon completion of 600 hours worked, employees receive 19 hours in-lieu time, and for every 200 hours of work thereafter, employees receive 9 hours of in-lieu time. In-Lieu time can be used for paid leave or paid in cash. The terms of listed benefits are subject to change, depending upon current MOU and future negotiations.
Salary : $21 - $26
