Ocean Rescue Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $52,128.00 Annually
Location : Island-wide, HI
Job Type: Permanent & Temporary Positions
Job Number: 2026-00092
Department: Fire
Division: Ocean Safety
Opening Date: 07/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Duties Summary
To fill anticipated vacancies in 2026.
Attends training classes and receives instruction in the theories, techniques, methods, and procedures used in making ocean rescues and administering emergency life support measures under immediate supervision, performs ocean rescues and emergency lifesaving tasks, and performs other related duties as required.
The eligible list may be used for Water Safety Officer I, full-time and part-time, permanent and temporary vacancies, as they arise during the life of the list for the following districts:

• HILO: Onekahakaha, Carlsmith, Leleiwi, Richardson and Honoli`i Beach Parks
• KAILUA-KONA: Kua Bay, La`aloa and Kahalu`u Beach Parks
• PAHALA/NA`ALEHU: Punalu`u Beach Park
• PUNA: Isaac Hale Beach Park
• S. KOHALA: Hapuna and Spencer Beach Parks

For part-time employment, wages will be prorated based on hours worked per week. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.
Special Working Conditions: Irregular work schedule, including shift, rotation, weekend, and/or holiday work; exposure to hazardous conditions.
Examples of Duties

• Attends training classes to learn general principles of water safety work, methods, and techniques of ocean rescue and emergency life support, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and application of first aid.
• Keeps surfboard, field glasses, radio-communications unit, and other equipment in working order.
• Logs estimated number of beach patrons.
• Under direct supervision, may maintain surveillance from a lifeguard tower or patrol a given beach area, make ocean rescues, administer emergency life support measures and first aid, and advise patrons of local ordinances, rules, and regulations governing beach activities and conditions peculiar to different locales.
• Under direct supervision, may write and submit reports describing rescues, accidents, and emergency measures taken.
• Under direct supervision, may perform work as a Crew person (Grabber) on a Rescue Water Craft.
• May participate in water safety education programs.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school.

License/Certification Requirements:

• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i Driver License (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)

Prior to completion of probation, must possess:

• a current Hawai'i Fire Department Aquatics Competency Certificate (ACC)/United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Open Water Lifesaving Certificate, and
• a current First Responder or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certificate, and
• a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider Certificate (CPR).

Note: Emergency Medical Technician, Mobile Intensive Care Technician, or other nationally recognized certificates which are equivalent or higher than the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certificate may be substituted for that certificate.
For assignment to the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) as a Crewperson (Grabber): In addition to the above license/certificate requirements, possession of a current Rescue watercraft Crewperson Certificate issued by the Hawai'i Fire Department.
Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.
Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.
Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.
Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.
Knowledge of: Prior to completion of probation: principles and practices of modern lifesaving techniques, and equipment, techniques and methods of ocean rescue, emergency life support, and first aid/basic medical care application, ordinances and regulations governing park, beach, shoreline, and ocean usage; and ocean and shoreline conditions.
Ability to: Swim long distances and conduct water rescues, learn and administer first aid, medical care, and emergency life support, deal tactfully and effectively with the public, prepare concise, complete, and accurate reports; read and follow written instructions, make sound operational decisions, learn and master water safety methods, techniques, and use of lifesaving equipment, and maintain minimum swimming requirements in accordance with Hawai'i Fire Department Aquatics Competency Certificate (ACC)/Untied States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Open Water Lifesaving Certificate.
Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Special
Benefits of County Employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.
Supplemental Information
INTERVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
Qualified applicants will be required to undergo the following as part of the Hawai`i Fire Department's interview and selection process.
1) All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements may proceed to the Performance Assessment Exercise. Performance Assessment Exercise will be held in Hilo, Hawaii on September 23, 2026.

• Performance Assessment Exercise: Applicants must successfully complete all events in a swim performance assessment exercise:
  • 500 meter pool swim in 10.00 minutes or less
  • 1000 meter beach run followed by a 1000 meter ocean swim in 25.00 minutes or less
  • 400 meter rescue board paddle in 4 minutes 30.00 seconds or less.

Note: No swim assistance equipment will be allowed (i.e. hand paddles, fins, flotation devices, etc.) with the exception of swim goggles.

• Performance Assessment Exercise Results: Applicants who successfully complete the Performance Assessment Exercise will proceed to further screening. Applicants who fail will have an opportunity for one re-take attempt. All applicants who fail will be eligible to attend practice session(s) hosted by the Hawai'i Fire Department, in an effort to assist with improving their times. If applicants fail the re-take test, they will need to reapply on a new Water Safety Officer I recruitment.

2) Oral interview/assessment exercise
3) Employment reference checks
4) Conditional job offer
5) Orientation
6) Pre-employment medical examination, including drug test
Applicants selected to become Water Safety Officers with the Hawai`i Fire Department will participate in a training program to obtain the required certifications listed above.
Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.
PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
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You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
E-mail:
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and