Ocean Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $4,846.00 - $6,494.00 Monthly
Location : Ocean & Beach - 950 Ocean Lane, Imperial Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-015
Department: Marine Safety
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Description
The vacancy is for one (1) full-time position.
All new hires will begin at Step 1 ($27.96 per hour). Employees receive an annual 5% step increase until reaching the top step of $37.47 per hour, contingent upon satisfactory performance.
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general direction, to coordinate and supervise lifeguard and ocean operations; to handle various special projects and administrative tasks; guard the City's beach in the protection of life, prevention of accidents, and enforcement of City ordinances; performs aquatic and medical rescues; and performs other related work as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Works under general direction of the Marine Safety Chief, Lieutenant, and Sergeant. Exercises direct supervision over all activities of Ocean Lifeguard I's, volunteers and interns assigned to the department.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, assign and supervise the daily activities of subordinate lifeguards within the Marine Safety Department.
• Handle special administrative projects as assigned.
• Oversee all major beach and ocean related rescue operations until relieved by a supervisor.
• Inspect and supervise the maintenance of safety equipment, facilities, and supplies within the Marine Safety Department.
• Recommend, assure all lifeguarding services and administrative policies and procedures are instituted as methods of operation.
• Review and evaluate equipment and material needs.
• Review the work of and evaluate the performance of subordinates
• Coordinate and lead training on lifesaving and emergency medical techniques, procedures, and drills.
• Coordinate lifeguard services with the activities of other governmental and public safety agencies.
• Maintain discipline of all Ocean Lifeguard I's; write, review and maintain necessary records, reports, logs and performance reviews.
• Perform the full range of duties of a lifeguard.
• Perform rescues and administer medical aid as needed.
• Patrol and take preventative actions and safety interventions.
• Operate specialized lifesaving equipment.
• Enforce and issue citations for City municipal codes.
• Subject to twenty-four-hour (24) emergency call including weekends and holidays.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May be assigned to support, instruct, or coordinate the Junior Lifeguard Program.
• Perform the duties of subordinate lifeguard personnel as needed.
• Represent the Marine Safety Department at various lifesaving, medical aid, and water safety programs.
• Interpret and explain applicable codes, ordinances, regulation, policies and procedures to the public.
• Testify in court regarding matters of enforcement and litigation.
• May represent the Marine Safety Department as a media spokesperson with consultation of the Marine Safety Chief.
• Observe activities in assigned area on foot, in vehicle, or from tower or headquarters building with binoculars to detect hazardous conditions, such as swimmers in distress, disturbances, or safety infractions.
• Caution people against use of unsafe beach areas or illegal conduct, such as drinking
• Present professional appearance and attitude at all times and maintains a high standard of customer service.
• May lead tours or provide public education on the total scope of lifeguarding and related areas.
• Attend classes, conferences, and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the lifesaving field.
• Coordinate activities with other supervisors of other City departments and exchange information with officers in other public safety agencies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of:
Knowledge of: principals of organization and management including personnel, records and reports, and public relations; all functions and duties performed by the department; modern principles, practices, and concepts of modern lifesaving techniques, boating safety, and equipment used; advanced medical aid and resuscitation methods and equipment operations; emergency medical system; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes; ocean conditions and patterns; beach, surf, and ocean hazards; safe driving principles and practices; occupational hazards and safety practices necessary in the area of work assigned; principles and practices of underwater search and recovery techniques and basic diving physics; and advance principles of supervision and training.
Ability to:
Ability to: plan, organize, direct, and supervise the activities of Marine Safety Department employees performing a variety of functions; interpret, explain, and enforce relative laws, ordinances, regulations, and basic law enforcement practices dealing with the laws of arrest, and search and seizures; prepare, review, maintain accurate and complete records; prepare clear and concise reports; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing before large public groups; represent the department on behalf of governing body in matters pertaining to ocean and beach development and operation; establish and maintain effective relationships with persons and agencies concerned with the division; maintain discipline and evaluate the performance of subordinate personnel; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; size up emergency situations and adopt quick, effective courses of action; swim and/or operate water craft in adverse weather and surf conditions for extended periods of time; and meet department health and physical standards.
Qualifications
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
High school graduation or G.E.D. equivalent. Minimum of one (1) year full-time-equivalent progressively responsible experience as an ocean lifeguard in water safety involving rescue, first aid, and lifesaving techniques for people using an ocean water, or any combination of training and/or experience that could likely provide the desired knowledge and abilities.
LICENSING & CERTIFICATES
Possession of the following certificates will be required at time of application:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) American Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Providers or American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers
• San Diego County Emergency Medical Technician I
• SCUBA - PADI Open Water Diver or NAUI Scuba Diver
• Miramar College Personal Watercraft (PWC) Operations
• Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a valid Class "C" California driver's license with a safe, satisfactory driving record and able to maintain through the course of employment

Completion of the following FEMA online courses and certificates are highly desirable at the time of application, if not available at the time of the application, the courses must be completed and obtain certifications six (6) months after appointment to the position.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), online Independent Study Program - IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, and IS 800

Within one (1) year after hire, employees must satisfactorily complete the course and obtain certification in:

• Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) - PC832 course on powers and procedures of arrest
• Swift Water Rescue Technician I
• San Diego Regional Training Center - Supervisory Academy

Please upload all required certifications when applying. Applications without certifications will not be considered. Employees must re-qualify for these certificates as required to retain employment.
Applicants must successfully complete the following processes prior to starting employment:

• Interview Process
• Live Scan
• Pre-employment Physical Examination Including a Drug Screen
• Professional Reference Check

For a complete job description for the position, visit our website
CAFETERIA BENEFIT PLAN
The City sponsors an Internal Revenue Code §125 Cafeteria Benefit Plan that offers non-taxable benefits to employees. It allows employees to choose from several different benefit options, and, if the employee exceeds the City-provided allotment, the employee may use pretax dollars to fund the costs. Alternatively, an employee may choose to pay for any of the available benefits with after-tax contributions
The City provides medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending account. The City contracts with the CalPERS Group Health Benefits Division, which offers several options including HMOs and PPOs plans.
CalPERS offers nine (9) medical plans in San Diego County, each with different premium costs and co-payment requirements. Coverage is available from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Effective July 1, 2025, the monthly cafeteria benefit plan allotment is $2,250.00. The City will contribute $2,250.00 per month toward a selection of City-provided medical, dental, and vision plans for benefit-eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Any premium costs that exceed the cafeteria plan allotment will be paid by the employee through pre-tax payroll deductions.
LIFE INSURANCE
The City pays premiums that provide group term life insurance and AD&D in an amount $50,000. Employees may purchase up to $300,000 of additional employee term life insurance. Employees may purchase up to $100,000 of additional term life insurance for their spouses and up to $10,000 per their child.
Lifeguard Employees:
Flat $250,000 basic life insurance and basic accidental death and dismemberment.
SHORT-TERM & LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The City provides short-term disability insurance equal to 60% of income (up to $1,155/week) after an 8-day waiting period. The City provides long-term disability insurance equal to 60% of income (up to $6,000/month) after a 90-day waiting period. Both short-term and long-term premiums are paid by the employee.
RETIREMENT
Enrollment in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) as follows:
New Members: For New Member miscellaneous employees, the City provides the "2%@62" formula. Benefits for all New Member employees are based on the highest three-year of compensation. Under this formula, the employee's highest three-year consecutive months of CalPERS reportable earnings are used to determine the level of retirement benefit. New Member Employees pay 50% of normal rate.
Classic Members: For Classic employees, the City provides the "2%@60" formula. Benefits for all Classic employees are based on the single highest year compensation. Under this formula, the Classic employee's highest 12 consecutive months of CalPERS earnings are used to determine the level of retirement benefit. Classic employees pay 50% of the normal rate.
Lifeguard Safety Group - CalPERS provided benefit of 2% for each year of service at the retirement rate of 50 (2%@50). Employee pays full 9% of the contribution. The single highest year of compensation is used as the basis for calculating a portion of the cost for the enhanced formula.
Safety Other - Lifeguard Employees (Classic Member - Tier l): The CalPERS formula for
employees hired on or after December 19, 1996, through March 8, 2012, shall be 2% at 50 with
the use of average of the employee's highest-one-year salary.
Safety Other - Lifeguard Employees (Classic Member - Tier 2): The CalPERS formula for
employees hired on or after March 9, 2012, through December 31 , 2012, shall be 2% at 50 with
the use of average of the employee's highest-three-year salary.
Safety Other- Lifeguard Employees (PEPRA Member): The Cal PERS formula for employees
hired on or after January 1, 2013, shall be 2.7% at 57 with the use of average of the employee's
highest-three-year salary as defined by the Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA)
and related Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). All new employees/members hired
on or after January 1, 2013, will pay 50% of the normal cost contribution.
The City participates in the Federal Social Security Administration Program. Employees pay 6.2% and the City pays 6.2% to a maximum wage of 176,100.
457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
The City offers a deferred compensation plan supplemental retirement program with Mission Square Retirement Internal Revenue Code §457 that allows employees to make contributions on a pre-tax basis (federal, and most cases, state income taxes are deferred until assets are withdrawn, usually during retirement when the participant may be in a lower tax bracket) - employee contributions. The minimum contribution is $25 per pay period. The "Age 50" Catch-up provision allows employees reaching age 50 or older during the year to contribute an additional amount annually.
ANNUAL LEAVE
Employees accrue annual leave at the following rates:
1-5 Years of Service - 12 days
5-10 Years of Service - 15 days
10-15 Years of Service - 20 days
15+ Years of Service - 25 days
The maximum accumulation is twice the employee annual vacation accrual.
SICK LEAVE
Employees accrue 8.334 hours for each full month of service = 100 hours for each full 12 month of service. 800 hours maximum accrual. At the time the employee separates employment with the City and having 5 years of service, the employee may receive a lump sum pay of 50% (500 hours) of sick leave accrual. Upon retirement, for classic members, the employee may receive a lump sum pay of 50% of sick leave accrual and 50% conversion to service credit with CalPERS or 100% of accrued sick leave to CalPERS for conversion to service credit. New members are not eligible for sick leave service credit with CalPERS.
HOLIDAYS
The City observes 14 holidays and 4 floating holidays each year.
HOLIDAY CLOSU