Ocean Rescue Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.15 Hourly
Location : Ocean Rescue, Boca Raton, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 04719-01
Department: Fire Rescue Services
Division: Ocean Rescue 25/08501
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: B
Build Your Future with the City of Boca Raton!
At the City of Boca Raton, a career in public service is more than a job - it's your chance to make a meaningful impact in a vibrant and sustainable coastal community. Driven by our core values of Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Trust, we are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel appreciated, inspired, and supported.
Why Boca Raton?
As the second largest city in Palm Beach County, the City of Boca Raton offers robust benefits to its employees:

• Health Insurance Benefits: No-cost employee Medical, Dental & Vision plans
• Generous Paid Time Off: 12 paid holidays + vacation, sick, and 3 floating holidays
• Continuous Service Benefit: Paid out annually after 5 years of service
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedule
• Retirement Plans: Two pension/retirement options to choose from

Whether you're starting out or looking to take your public service career to the next level, the City of Boca Raton offers the tools, resources, and culture to help you succeed.
General Statement of Job
The Ocean Rescue Lifeguard position is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of beachgoers at the City of Boca Raton Oceanfront public access areas. This role involves performing ocean rescues and providing assistance in line with established guidelines and policies. Working under immediate supervision, the Ocean Rescue Lifeguard helps maintain a safe environment by responding immediately to emergencies and life-threatening events. Through these responsibilities, this position supports the City's commitment to public safety and enhances the experience of residents and visitors enjoying the beach.
YOU MUST ALSO POSSESS AND ATTACH COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING VALID CERTIFICATIONS AND SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

• CPR Certification (American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association CPR BLS Course "C")
• First Aid Certification (American Red Cross First Aid or American Heart Saver First Aid)
• Lifeguard Training Certification (American Red Cross Lifeguarding, YMCA Lifeguard Training, or Previous Ocean lifeguarding experience)

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING INFORMATION:Qualified applicants will be contacted and invited via email and required to participate in pre-employment swim, beach run, and rescue testing. You will be scheduled for this testing after it has been determined that the minimum qualifications and license requirements have been met. You will not be allowed to participate in the swim test if you have not been invited by Human Resources via email.
Essential Functions
Essential Functions

• Observes beach and ocean from tower for unusual and/or unsafe conditions and activities.
• Signals boaters, surfers, fishermen, and jet skiers to stay out of safe swimming areas.
• Maintains an awareness of, prevents, and reacts to life-threatening and potential bodily injury situations.
• Patrols the beach on foot, warns beach patrons of dangerous conditions and situations.
• Carries reserve rescue boards, oxygen resuscitators and first aid kits to and from the beach and in emergency response.
• Treats beach and park patrons for minor first-aid injuries.

Depending upon the area of assignment, may be required to support:

• Works as a rescue swimmer in the Intercoastal Waterway and connected canals
• Works on water and food in the POD in post-storm emergencies
• Clears storm debris on the beach and in Parks in post-storm recovery

Related tasks:

• Monitors tide changes, water, and wind conditions and warns beach patrons of changes.
• Informs beach patrons of various City ordinances and enforces compliance.
• Responds to questions concerning ordinances and beach or ocean conditions.
• Opens and closes lifeguard towers; ensures equipment is present and in good working order.
• Assists with programs, classes, and special events.
• Participates in morning workout and physical fitness exercises and rescue drills.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Laws, ordinances, and policies related to emergency services in ocean rescue
• Ocean rescue services practices and procedures.

Skilled in:

• Observation and Surveillance.
• Emergency Medical Response and CPR
• Customer Service and Collaboration with Department and City-wide staff
• Decision making in stressful situations.

Ability to:

• Prepare clear and concise reports; ability to pass pre-employment and annual requalification tests, which consist of a 500-meter swim in 10 minutes or less, a beach run, and rescue scenarios.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalen
• CPR Certification (American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Heart Association CPR BLS Course "C" or National CPR Foundation CPR/AED)
• First Aid Certification (American Red Cross First Aid, National CPR Foundation or American Heart Saver First Aid)
• Lifeguard Training Certification (American Red Cross Lifeguarding, YMCA Lifeguard Training, or Previous Ocean lifeguarding experience)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• American Safety and Health Institute Emergency Medical Response Certification or American Red Cross equivalent and Emergency Medical Technician.
• Previous Ocean Lifeguard experience.

POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:
Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) Check
• Certification/License Verification
• Physical
• Drug and Alcohol Screen

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid State of Florida Class "E" driver's license with no more than six (6) points in a three (3) year period.
• Abstained from the use of cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products for at least one year prior to their date of hire and shall abstain from the use of tobacco products at all times during the period of their employment with the City while both on and off duty.
• Must meet training and certification requirements of United States Lifeguarding Association agency certification program following the initial employment training period.
• Must obtain a valid American Safety and Health Institute Emergency Medical Response Certification or American Red Cross equivalent upon completion of the initial training period.

Physical and Environmental Demands and Conditions
The environmental conditions and physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Continuously ascends or descends ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and similar structures.
• Continuously moves self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces.
• Continuously remains in a stationary position, either standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Continuously moves about within the immediate work area to accomplish tasks.
• Continuously moves from one worksite to another.
• Continuously adjusts or moves objects of unspecified weight in all directions.
• Continuously communicates with others to exchange information.
• Continuously repeats motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Continuously operates a computer and other equipment requiring manual dexterity or fine motor skills.
• Continuously operates motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Continuously assesses the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Continuously observes details accurately and identifies variances.
• Continuously works in areas that are somewhat uncomfortable due to drafts, noise, or temperature variation.
• Continuously works in areas that are very uncomfortable due to extreme temperature, noise levels, or other environmental conditions.
• Continuously works in outdoor areas where exposure to animals, reptiles, or insects may occur.
• Continuously works with equipment or performs procedures where carelessness could result in minor cuts, bruises, or muscle pulls.
• Occasionally operates machinery and/or power tools.
• Occasionally lifts/carries objects weighing 50 pounds or less.
• Occasionally pushes/pulls objects weighing 150 pounds or less.
• Occasionally works in a normal office environment with few physical discomforts.
• Regular in-office attendance is essential to the position, with or without the possibility of remote work.

Essential Employee Designation
When normal operations of City departments are suspended or interrupted due to a declaration that a state of emergency exists, any employee may be deemed essential by the city. For the preparation and/or continuation of emergency operations or for special work detail, employees deemed necessary shall be required to work.
The City of Boca Raton is an Equal Opportunity, Inclusive, Veteran-Friendly Employer and Drug-Free Workplace.
The City is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.
Veterans' Preference: The City proudly supports veterans and provides employment preference to eligible veterans and other individuals as required by Florida law. Applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference are encouraged to indicate their eligibility and provide the required documentation during the application process.
CITY OF BOCA RATON - BENEFITS SUMMARY
SEIU Employees
ANNUAL LEAVE: Shall accrue prior to an employee attaining permanent status in the classified service and may be used after six (6) months of employment at the sole discretion of the Department Head, but it shall not be paid out upon resignation or termination unless the employee has attained permanent status (one full year). The maximum accrual is 360 hours.
0 to 5 full years 8 hours per month
5 to 10 full years 10 hours per month
10 to 15 full years 12 hours per month
15 years and over 14 hours per month
CASH OUT OF ANNUAL LEAVE: Employees who have attained permanent status shall be permitted to cash out up to forty (40) hours of accrued and unused Annual Leave, either in a single lump sum payment or two or more partial payments, each fiscal year., each fiscal year.
SICK LEAVE: 8 hours per month. Any hours in excess of 960 will be paid off annually at 50%. Upon retirement, employees with a minimum of 5 years continuous service will receive 50% of sick leave balance. Termination for reasons other than retirement shall be entitled to payment for accrued, but unused sick leave, as follows:
Continuous years of service Percentage
Less than 2 full years 0%
2 to 5 full years 10%
5 to 10 full years 20%
10 full years or more 30%
Retirement (normal, early or disability) 50%
HEALTH INSURANCE (Premiums): Employee Medical (Base Plan) - Paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the buy up employee coverage plans. Employee contributions are required for Employee Dental and Vision Plans, as well as Dependent(s) Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE BENEFIT: Continuous Service is determined on December 1st of each year. Payment is issued during the month of December based upon years of service as follows:
5 to 10 full years $600 annually
10 to 15 full years $800 annually
15 full years and over $1,000 annually
RETIREMENT PLANS: The two pension/retirement options are listed below:

• The option to enroll in a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. The Defined Contribution Plan will not require a mandatory contribution on your part. The City will contribute seven (7%) percent of your annual base wages to this plan. The vesting period for this plan shall be one (1) year from your date of hire in the classified service, which coincides with your one-year probationary period.
• An option to enroll in a Defined Benefit Plan option available to you that will have a ten (10) year vesting period with a multiplier of 2.00% at normal retirement and a mandatory seven and three-quarters (7.75%) percent contribution.
• The two (2) options will be fully explained to you prior to your selection.

Optional: 457 Deferred Compensation Savings Plan is available.
HOLIDAYS: 15 per year: 12 recognized holidays and 3 floating holidays which are allocated for the fiscal year starting October 1, to all 8 hour per day employees. Employees hired between October 1 and March 31 shall receive 3 floating holidays. Employees hired between April 1 and September 30 shall receive 1 floating holiday. Non-task employees working 10-hour days receive 10, 10-hour paid holidays but do not rec