What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard) - Seasonal position at National Park Service?
Summary
This announcement for temporary seasonal positions has been opened due to an exemption to the 2025 Civilian Hiring Freeze.
Temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 hours in a service year may be terminated/extended based on management needs. The typical season is end of April to end of September, but can vary due to weather, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April - May 2025.
Help
Duties
Work Schedule will be Part Time and/or Full Time. Mixed tour of duty, an employee's work schedule may alternate between full time, part-time, and intermittent work schedules to accommodate fluctuating workloads and is subject to a signed agreement.
Lead a lifeguard operation on ocean beaches and provide training to staff on surf-rescue operations. Perform the full range of lifeguard/rescue swimmer duties including but not limited to; maintaining a watch over swimmers in the water at designated NPS swimming areas on Fire Island, render direct assistance to swimmers in trouble, perform first aid to visitors commensurate with their level of training, assist park rangers with crowd control at a rescue scene. Will also be required to maintain beach count records during their shift as well as submit case incident reports documenting rescues and other related incidents.
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Provide overall supervision for a staff of Recreation Assistants (Lifeguard) that may include subordinate Lead Recreation Assistants (Lifeguard) who are responsible for patrolling and providing lifesaving services to the public at a pool or beach facility, perform the duties and responsibilities of a Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard), that includes patrolling and providing lifesaving services to the public at a pool or beach facility, develop and conduct lifeguard and lifesaving training for a staff of Recreation Assistants (Lifeguard), managing a pool or beach facility that includes a staff of lifeguards. You must include hours per week worked.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
CTAP/ICTAP: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP or 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.
Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).
If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.
The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.
Physical Demands: May require long periods of standing or sitting atop a fixed lifeguard tower, walking or running over rough uneven hazardous surfaces, exposure to the sun, sand, wind, and rain, and lifting moderately heavy items. Strenuous exertion is required in search and rescue operations. The incumbent is required to perform daily rigorous workouts (swimming, running, paddling, and strength training).
Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors and outdoors, Incumbent may be subject to weather variances and biting insects, as well as subject to cold water, waves, hot humid weather and marine organisms. Necessary safety precautions may include the use of insect repellents, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, protective clothing and gear.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
Read more
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
This announcement for temporary seasonal positions has been opened due to an exemption to the 2025 Civilian Hiring Freeze.
Temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 hours in a service year may be terminated/extended based on management needs. The typical season is end of April to end of September, but can vary due to weather, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April - May 2025.
Help
Duties
Work Schedule will be Part Time and/or Full Time. Mixed tour of duty, an employee's work schedule may alternate between full time, part-time, and intermittent work schedules to accommodate fluctuating workloads and is subject to a signed agreement.
Lead a lifeguard operation on ocean beaches and provide training to staff on surf-rescue operations. Perform the full range of lifeguard/rescue swimmer duties including but not limited to; maintaining a watch over swimmers in the water at designated NPS swimming areas on Fire Island, render direct assistance to swimmers in trouble, perform first aid to visitors commensurate with their level of training, assist park rangers with crowd control at a rescue scene. Will also be required to maintain beach count records during their shift as well as submit case incident reports documenting rescues and other related incidents.
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
- Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
- You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
- You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty.
- You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
- You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
- You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
- Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and:
- (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
- (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or
- (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or
- (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license prior to entry on duty.
- Obtain/Maintain a valid CPR/AED completion certificate that is nationally recognized prior to entry on duty.
- Pre-employment and periodic physical examination required.
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Provide overall supervision for a staff of Recreation Assistants (Lifeguard) that may include subordinate Lead Recreation Assistants (Lifeguard) who are responsible for patrolling and providing lifesaving services to the public at a pool or beach facility, perform the duties and responsibilities of a Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard), that includes patrolling and providing lifesaving services to the public at a pool or beach facility, develop and conduct lifeguard and lifesaving training for a staff of Recreation Assistants (Lifeguard), managing a pool or beach facility that includes a staff of lifeguards. You must include hours per week worked.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
CTAP/ICTAP: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP or 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.
Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).
If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.
The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.
Physical Demands: May require long periods of standing or sitting atop a fixed lifeguard tower, walking or running over rough uneven hazardous surfaces, exposure to the sun, sand, wind, and rain, and lifting moderately heavy items. Strenuous exertion is required in search and rescue operations. The incumbent is required to perform daily rigorous workouts (swimming, running, paddling, and strength training).
Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors and outdoors, Incumbent may be subject to weather variances and biting insects, as well as subject to cold water, waves, hot humid weather and marine organisms. Necessary safety precautions may include the use of insect repellents, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, protective clothing and gear.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
Read more
- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
