Part Time Ocean Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $17.04 - $29.14 Hourly
Location : San Clemente, CA
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 2627-PT01
Department: MARINE SAFETY
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Lifeguard Trainee: $17.04-$18.79 per hour
(Seasonal, Hourly Part-Time)
Ocean Lifeguard I: $20.71 to $25.17 per hour
(Seasonal, Hourly Part-Time)
Ocean Lifeguard II: $23.98 to $29.14 per hour
(Seasonal, Hourly Part-Time)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The beautiful Southern California coastal City of San Clemente has an exciting opportunity for individuals to work as an Ocean Lifeguard. Ocean Lifeguards perform beach and ocean rescues, provide emergency medical treatment, and enforce laws.
IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION
Candidates will be required to successfully complete two mandatory physical assessment test and an oral interview. Request for a swim test MUST be made at least one week in advance and a completed application and physical waiver must be completed prior to testing.
Physical Assessment Testing Details
The physical test consists of two events:

1. 800-yard ocean swim and must be completed in 13 ½ minutes or less to qualify for the remainder of the testing.
2. 1,200-yard run- swim-run (400 yards each portion).

Successful candidates passing the two physical tests will be interviewed on the same day of the tryout.
Successful candidates will be invited to participate in a mandatory 110-hour training program that will be held consecutive Saturdays and Sundays starting on Saturday, May 15, 2027. Lifeguard Trainees are paid at a rate of $17.04 per hour during the training period.
Lifeguard Trainee: Acceptance into the 110-hour training program requires successful completion of the physical assessment and oral interview process.
Ocean Lifeguard: Requires successful completion of the 110-hour training program and the following (which may be gained through the City's training program): specialized training in ocean lifeguarding, some knowledge of first aid and ocean lifeguarding practices and principles; pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; occupational hazards; and standard safety precautions.
Special requirement: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age with a valid work permit by the beginning of their first day of employment.
Essential Functions
Ocean Lifeguards:

• Observe swimmers from towers or patrol vehicles;
• Provide emergency response to water and beach areas;
• Perform emergency rescues and first aid, including mouth-to-mask resuscitation;
• Locate lost or missing persons;
• Enforce laws, codes and ordinances governing beaches and oceans;
• Inspect rescue equipment, lifeguard towers & vehicles, & perform preventative maintenance & repairs;
• Interact with the public and explain rules and regulations; and
• Maintain records and log books.

NOTE: Ocean Lifeguards are subject to twenty-four-hour emergency call.
Typical Qualifications
SPECIAL LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OR REQUIREMENTS
Possession of or ability to obtain:

1. First Aid certificate issued by the City of San Clemente or other designated agency that meets the California State Codes for Ocean Lifeguards.
2. CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Classes to meet the CPR and First Aid requirements will be provided to those applicants who are successful in qualifying for the City's Ocean Lifeguard Training Program as outlined above.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment:
Work schedule may vary dependent upon the needs of the department; however, the training schedule will be 16 hours per week. Applicants must be available to work 5 days per week, for a total of 40 hours per week during the CUSD summer recess period. Ocean Lifeguards work in a beach and ocean environment.
Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to swim, run, walk, crouch and crawl.
• May be required to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.

Supplemental Information
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applicants must submit an on- line application.
Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review and medical examination, including drug screen and intradermal T.B. test, and be fingerprinted- all at City expense. If selected, written identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.
TESTING PROCEDURE AND TRAINING
Note: All potential candidates must attend all training dates/ times and must be available to work 5 days per week, for a total of 40 hours per week during the CUSD summer recess through Labor Day.
Applicants should bring warm clothes, a swimsuit, towel and clothes for the oral interview. No personal goggles, wet-suits, or fins or caps will be allowed to be worn during the physical agility or swim test. Other testing methods may be used if deemed necessary.
Successful candidates in the physical events and oral interview will be invited to participate in a mandatory 110- hour, competitive, in-service training program. Training is scheduled to commence on Saturday, May 15, 2027 and will continue on subsequent weekends. Training participants will be hired by the City and paid Lifeguard Trainee wages of $17.04 per hour for the 110 hours of training. Upon successful completion of the training program, candidates will be placed on a hiring list and may be hired as Ocean Lifeguards as vacancies occur, as long as the list remains valid.
Applicants who successfully complete the tryouts and interview process, that are selected for hire must participate in a pre-employment orientation session. Candidates will be contacted by the Human Resources Department to schedule the orientation session.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or age.
In accordance with the ADA, candidates that require accommodation to perform the tasks of this position should contact Human Resources to inform them of the accommodation requested.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.
This part-time position is restricted to 1,500 work hours in a 12-month period and does not qualify to receive City benefits, except those required by law.
This position is exempt from membership in CalPERS.
Beginning January 1, 2024, part-time employees will be provided 40 hours of paid sick leave each year.
Part-time employees do not belong to the Social Security system. However, each part-time employee will be enrolled in a mandatory 457 PTS Deferred Compensation plan based upon 7.5% of gross pay with costs being shared equally by the employee and the City.
01
I understand that I need to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire found by clicking the link in the APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE section of the job bulletin on the City's website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanclemente and that it needs to be turned into the Marine Safety Headquarters the day of the tryouts and turned in with all other application materials.

• Yes
• No

02
Ocean Lifeguard positions require applicants to be at least sixteen (16) years of age before beginning paid employment. Please select the statements that applies to you:

• I am currently sixteen (16) years of age or older.
• I will be sixteen (16) years of age before January 1, 2027.
• I will be sixteen (16) years of age before May 15, 2027.
• I will be sixteen (16) years of age before July 1, 2027.
• I will not be sixteen (16) years of age before July 1, 2027.

03
If you are under eighteen (18) years of age, you will be required to provide a valid work permit and parent/legal guardian authorization prior to employment. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No
• N/A, I am 18 years of age or older.

04
Do you have any experience as an Ocean Lifeguard I or II (or equivalent) from the City of San Clemente or other USLA-Certified agency?

• Yes
• No

05
If you answered yes, to the question above, please describe your experience and include whether or not you successfully completed a USLA-Certified Ocean Lifeguard Training Program. If no experience, indicate "n/a"
Required Question