OCEAN LIFEGUARD I-RECURRENT

OCEAN LIFEGUARD I-RECURRENT

Salary

$23.00 - $29.00 Hourly

Location

Huntington Beach, CA

Job Type

Seasonal

Job Number

0244-0926

Department

Fire Department

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

NOW HIRING FOR THE 2027 SUMMER SEASON!

Lifeguard test date will be October 17, 2026 with the Academy dates to be determined. APPLY NOW AND BECOME PART OF OUR VERY EXCELLENT MARINE SAFETY TEAM!

Additional Compensation:

• 5% is paid to individuals with EMT certification
• 5% is paid to individuals with bilingual skills

The City of Huntington Beach is seeking to hire responsible men and women to provide first-line lifeguard protection at the Citys beautiful beaches. Ocean Lifeguards primarily perform ocean rescues, perform preventative actions and provide medical aid as needed.

The MARINE SAFETY DIVISION of the FIRE DEPARTMENT is responsible for responding to all aquatic emergencies within the city limits.

• Over 16 million visitors enjoy the Citys beaches annually, during which the Marine Safety Division averages more than 4,500 rescues each year.
• The division provides lifeguard services for approximately 4.75 miles of City-operated beaches.
• The Marine Safety Division may respond to mutual aids and other aquatic emergencies throughout Orange County.
• Approximately 200 Lifeguards are employed each year.

Lifeguard test date will be scheduled for October 17, 2026. Academy dates to be determined. APPLY NOW AND BECOME PART OF OUR VERY EXCELLENT MARINE SAFETY TEAM!

Examples of Essential Duties

• Lifeguards an assigned area from a tower or emergency rescue vehicle
• Performs ocean rescues, informs bathers and boaters of hazardous ocean conditions, and removes dangerous objects from the beach and ocean area
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance on towers, vehicle, equipment and other facilities within an assigned area
• Maintains daily records of activities and completes reports on same
• Interacts with the public on the beach; answers questions and assists patrons with problems and advises of Municipal Ordinances
• Operates specialized lifesaving equipment and performs various first aid practices of a highly skilled nature
• Participates in all rescue, first aid and aquatic emergencies until relieved by a supervisor
• Performs other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Age: 17 by July 1 of the year employee will be hired - Proof required (Age 16 for HB City Beach Junior Guards who have been in the Program during the 2026 summer season and receive a positive recommendation from Marine Safety Management)
• Vision: 20/40 uncorrected in both eyes or 20/40 corrected (by contacts only) in both eyes.
• Health: Excellent, including good hearing
• License: A valid CA drivers license with an acceptable driving record may be required.
• Other: A pre-placement medical exam and drug screening will be conducted upon a conditional offer of employment.

PERFORMANCE EXAM AND INTERVIEW DATES

• Date: Exam will be held October 17, 2026.
• Time: To be determined
• Location: To be determined
• Interviews: To be determined

PERFORMANCE EXAM EVENTS

The performance exam consists of 2 physical events (subject to change):

• 1,000 yard pool swim in under 15 minutes
• 1,800 yard ocean run-swim-run

All events are conducted in prevailing conditions around and through the Huntington Beach Pier. Applicants must satisfactorily complete all phases of the performance exam to be eligible for further consideration.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Candidates successfully completing all components of the Performance Exam will be placed on a list.
• Qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.
• Based on the combined results, of the performance exam and the oral interview, the top qualified candidates will be invited to the Ocean Lifeguard Pre-Summer Academy.
• Upon a conditional offer of employment, a pre-placement medical exam, drug screen, swim test and Live Scan DOJ fingerprinting must be completed with acceptable results. The employment physical will be conducted by a physician designated by the City.
• Upon hire, employees are subject to further reporting from DOJ via subsequent arrest notification. Other background reports may also be conducted depending on the position.
• Recurrent Ocean Lifeguards are "At Will" employees who work on a seasonal, as needed, basis. Hours vary and will include weekends and holidays.

OCEAN LIFEGUARD ACADEMY

• Training classes are conducted at the Marine Safety Training Center. Tentative dates are February 27, 28, March 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, April 3, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24.
• A second academy will be held May 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, and June 1-9 straight through.
• New Hires are required to attend all scheduled classes.
• Ocean Lifeguards will be compensated during their academy training.
• New Hires will receive lifeguard equipment (i.e. uniform, fins, sunglasses, etc.) and an annual beach parking pass.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Upon successful completion of the Ocean Lifeguard Academy, candidates will receive certification by the Red Cross in Emergency Medical Response.

Supplemental Information

Must have physical strength, endurance, and ability required to perform the essential functions of the job, including: swimming, running, walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, pulling, pushing, sitting for extended periods of time and the ability to drag up to 150 pounds. Must be able to withstand prolonged exposure to the beach and ocean environment, including prolonged exposure to cold weather, water, and sun. May be exposed to hazardous materials and communicable diseases. Employees of this classification must be able to demonstrate before hire and annually thereafter the ability to swim 1,000 yards within 15 minutes.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Employees regularly assigned/required to drive a city or personal vehicle in the course and scope of work shall be required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull Notice program; due to the performance of field duties that may require operation of a City vehicle. Only employees 18 years or older may be assigned to drive a City vehicle. At time of hire or upon reaching 18 years of age, must provide proof of a valid California drivers license and an acceptable driving record. Must maintain acceptable driving record throughout employment with the City.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

TO APPLY

• Applicants are required to submit a completed on-line Employment Application prior to the performance exam. You may find the on-line Employment Application by following the link "Apply" above.
• Applicants are also required to attach a completed signed Liability Waiver Form along with their application. (Insert link)

Surf City Lifeguard Employees Association members receive the following benefits:

The SALARY RANGE is composed of five steps. Merit step increases are based on statisfactory performance.

CERTIFICATION PAY is available for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification (except Ocean Lifeguard II and Ocean Lifeguard III) and for bilingual usage.

PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.

CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.

BEACH PARKING PASSES are issued to Recurrent Ocean Lifeguards who pass the annual re-qualification examination.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Surf City Lifeguard Employee Association".

01

Will you be at least 17 by July 1 of the year employee will be hired?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you at least 16 years old and have you participated in the Huntington City Beach Junior Lifeguard Guard program in the year prior to submitting this application?

• Yes
• No

03

If selected for hire, are you prepared to provide your current Driver License Record, obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles, to Human Resources prior to completing other pre-placement processes?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "No" to the last question, please explain:

05

Are you a CalPERS RETIRED Annuitant?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have at least 20/40 uncorrected vision in both eyes? Answer "Yes" or "No". If your answer is "No", please explain

07

Do you have any tattoos, scarification, or body modifications that will be visible while wearing only a swimsuit?

08

I understand that in order to be eligible for further consideration, I must complete the Liability Waiver and an employment application online prior to the testing process.

09

I understand that if I am selected to participate in the Ocean Lifeguard Academy, I will be required to attend EVERY training class.

10

Are you available to work weekdays, weekends AND holidays? (Answer "Yes" or "No". If your answer is "No", please explain.

11

The City of Huntington Beach requires a minimum amount of staffing through Labor Day Weekend (through 9/6/27). If selected for hire, are you able to commit to being available to work through Labor Day Weekend (or later)? Please answer "Yes" or "No". Also indicate the last date this summer/fall that you would be available to work.

12

Have you completed in full every relevant section of the application, including listing References with contact phone numbers?

(Note: You may add additional information to your application at this time by selecting "Save Work in Progress", then selecting the link for Step 1 "Job Application" and editing or adding information to the appropriate section. Then navigate back to Step 3 to complete the application process).

• Yes, I have completed the application in full
• No, I have not completed the application in full and understand that if deemed incomplete my application may be disqualified from further consideration.

13

Did you attach a completed Liability Waiver?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Huntington Beach

Address 2000 Main Street

Huntington Beach, California, 92648

Phone (714) 536-5492

Website http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/jobs