Contract Lifeguard Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Ocean Lifeguards are responsible for beach safety, code enforcement, and emergency medical technician (EMT) duties. Operates, inspects, and performs maintenance on emergency rescue equipment and vehicles. Acts as a lead to lower level staff. Senior Ocean Lifeguards may be required to work extended hours and days to meet operational needs of the City.

Essential Duties: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Assists in planning, organizing, implementing, and controlling day to day lifeguard service; organize and implement first aid, water safety, accident prevention, and rescue training.
• Assists the Marine Safety Sergeant and Marine Safety Lieutenant with hiring, evaluation, supervision, and training of new and seasonal staff in basic and advanced rescue operations, medical protocols and procedures, accident prevention, City procedures, and OSHA required training.
• Leads water training drills and daily physical training as directed by the Marine Safety Sergeant.
• Serves as lead patrol guard while performing preventative actions and safety interventions; make swimming and rescue board type rescues in the ocean.
• Performs preventative actions, such as safety warnings, beach closures, patrols, and maintenance of rescue equipment; monitors weather conditions (i.e. tidal, storm, flooding, heavy surf, etc.); monitors coastal and beach environment for hazards; removes hazards; maintains beach towers.
• Performs safety interventions and/or effects rescues in the surf, open ocean, river/stream, under water, and on beaches, cliffs, or roadways, which includes: determining if intervention is required; making rescues; routing victims to secure locations; determining if back-up is required; administering first aid and/or medical assistance; and, performing other related tasks.
• In the absence of higher-ranking Marine Safety Supervisors, assumes command functions of Incident Command System (ICS).
• Under the general direction of the Marine Safety Sergeant, implements beach closures when environmental safety considerations dictate and/or on order of the County Health Department.
• Responds to requests for information from the general public; enforces beach regulations; facilitates educational sessions related to beach and ocean safety issues; advises the public of codes, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Drives and operates watercraft and four-wheel drive emergency vehicles to patrol and respond to water and other emergencies; works in conjunction with helicopter search and rescue; supervises, assists with, or performs swimming, repelling, paddling, and water lifesaving operations to achieve water and cliff rescues; performs SCUBA under water recovery; supervises, assists with, or performs EMT medical aid or CPR as required.
• Serves as a tower dispatcher.
• Prepares and maintains various records and reports including records of actions taken, training records, and time sheets.
• Assists the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department in park and beach maintenance, encroachment monitoring, quarterly safety inspection, park signs, beach and access safety, and bluff erosion monitoring.
• Performs facility and equipment maintenance of all lifeguard rescue gear, medical equipment, emergency vehicles, and vessels and towers including ocean rescue gear, specialized rescue gear, medical and first aid supplies, phones and radios, uniforms, office and janitorial supplies, PA/siren systems, emergency lights, specialized racks, winch, tires, engine, brakes, transmission, rescue sled, and trailer.
• Performs a variety of code enforcement duties including informing and warning beach users of municipal codes, Fish and Game regulations, boating laws, and penal and vehicle statutes; issue citations for municipal and vehicle codes; train and supervise other lifeguard citation officers; ensure compliance with ticket processing procedures and court appearances.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

In addition to the duties listed above, the Senior Ocean Lifeguard assigned to the Junior Lifeguard Program may be responsible for:

• Assisting in directing and coordinating the activities of the Junior Lifeguard Program;
• Assisting with the preparation of work schedules;
• Conferring with contract lifeguards regarding assignments, performance of personnel, program problems, training, citizen, and parental complaints, and other operational issues;
• Instructs participants, coordinates and provides direction to junior lifeguard instructors, and participates in active marine safety activities, such as beach and ocean rescue operations and first aid;
• Assists with developing the Junior Lifeguard Program annual calendar, program applications, and assists in the program application process;
• Prepares Junior Lifeguard Program correspondence and related reports; compiles records and files; responds to inquiries and provides program information, general public, and other interested parties;
• Acts as liaison to the public, assists in solving complaints, coordinates program activities and schedules including field trips and Junior Lifeguard competitions; coordinates program activities with other agencies;
• Assists supervisors with purchasing, personnel, and payroll;
• Inventories program equipment, assesses equipment needs, and ensures adequate maintenance of various equipment and Junior Lifeguard vehicle.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Training and Experience: (position requirements at entry):

• High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), and completion of 4 Full-time Summer Seasons (typically 400 hours/season) of water safety experience involving rescue, first aid, lifesaving techniques for people using an open water area (Ocean) or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Minimum Age: 18 years of age by date of hire.

An A.A./A.S. degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university is highly desirable. Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid California Driver's License;
• City of Encinitas Lifeguard Academy Training certificate, or equivalent completion of a Lifeguard Academy meeting the advanced guidelines for open water lifeguard training and standards of the United States Lifesaving Academy (USLA);
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) (American Heart Association "BLS Provider," or American Red Cross "CPR for the Professional Rescuer") or equivalent;
• Current Emergency Medical Technician- Basic (EMT-B) License with the State of California;
• Rescue Watercraft Operator certificate or equivalent and California Boater Safety Card;
• Beach Driving Certificate/Lifeguard Vehicle Operations or equivalent;
• FEMA IS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command Systems (ICS) Certification;
• FEMA IS-200, Basic Incident Command Systems Certification;
• Candidate must be able to obtain EMT-B accreditation with the County of San Diego EMS Office by the time of appointment

Valid County of San Diego Paramedic (EMT-P) License is highly desirable.

A completed application with an attached resume AND cover letter AND copies of all required certifications is required. *** Incomplete application packets will not be reviewed *** Apply by August 9, 2026 - Testing dates/times are to be determined. Qualified applicants will be invited to test for the position via email from HR. Applicants that are currently employed as contract lifeguard staff will not be required to test. Applicants that pass the test will be invited to move forward in the recruitment process. Testing includes the following components:

• Swim 550 yards in under 10 minutes
• Run Swim Run (150-yard run, 250-yard swim, and 150-yard run, in under 8 minutes)
• Dummy Drag of 50 feet in 30 seconds (150 lbs)

The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will